Torin didn’t think her eyes could get any bluer as the truth dawned on her as well. “The warden is working with the Armstrongs. He set up the attack.”
Torin smiled at her cleverness.
“’Tis the perfect way to keep us beholden to him. Have our enemies strike. Show us how much we need him and his men. You,” she corrected, “and Mr. Adams. Oh,” she bristled. “How many other things has he lied to us about? How many other times did heprotectus from enemies he brought to our doors? And all to make certain we fought on his side again if and when the Scots came back.”
Aye, Torin thought, and now he might also have the Armstrongs on his side. He would have to do something about that. But for now, Braya was the only one on his mind.
“You have my sword, Braya. I swear.” He had no trouble making the promise to her. He was here to kill Bennett, not fight the Scots with him. “But now more than ever, you need to convince your father that his debt to the warden is over. He must let go of his revenge and not stand with Bennett when the Scots come. Too many will die. The Scots are a formidable army.”
Was it enough? He was glad it was Bennett who had brought the Armstrongs here. Braya’s father was now less likely to fight for him. It had to be enough.
Hell, he should have refused to apologize and that would have caused dissention between the Hetheringtons and Bennett, but he had kept peace…for her.
“What about you?” she asked him, taking hold of his hands again. “Will you fight this formidable army?”
“I must do what I came here to do,” he told her, looking away.
“You ask my father to give up his revenge but you cling to yours,” she accused, and rightly so. “And what about us having a Scottish warden? Whose side do you think he will take in a raid?”
“It will not matter if everyone is dead, Braya.”
She shivered and he pulled her closer and closed his arms around her. “I do not mean to upset you. But I want you to leave Bennett’s fights to Bennett.”
“You need not worry about me,” she whispered against his neck.
“I know,” he smiled, loving her confidence, but wishing she didn’t possess so much of it. “You can take care of yourself—”
“I’m guaranteed safety,” she interrupted and pressed her lips to his, “with you at my side.
