Figures emerged slowly from the keep. Talk broke out almost at once. A clamor of voices filling the air.
“They’re becoming bolder.”
“Why would outlaws attack a clan castle?”
“Something must be done about them.”
Gavin agreed with that but now was not the time for rash action. He needed time to think about what to do next.
He headed into the keep. In the solar to the side of the great hall he found the strange woman he’d almost killed. She was staring out the window at the corpses that lay on the distant ground, arrows sticking out of them like spines on a hedgehog.
Susanne was trying to talk to her but she said nothing in response. It looked as if she’d been crying.
“Now we can talk,” Gavin said. “Thank you Susanne.”
She nodded and then withdrew.
Once he was alone with the strange woman he waited for her to turn around.
“I must go home,” she said, still looking out of the window. “It’s not safe here. I saw them die. I was an idiot to come here. I should go back. I shouldn’t have listened to Tony. Five minutes he said. I can’t believe I fell for it. I have to go home.”
“You cannae go anywhere until I am sure it is safe,” he said, taking a step closer to her. He touched her shoulder. From this close he could smell her. She had a scent he could not discern but it was intoxicating. He wanted to breathe her in, get closer still. He managed to keep control of himself, keeping enough distance between them to maintain propriety.
She looked up at him then down at his hand. All the strength seemed to go out of her in that moment and she staggered. He caught her neatly before she could fall, guiding her to the bench by the wall.
Once she was seated he stepped back. “You are my guest,” he said. “You will have the finest room in the castle.”
“They’re all dead. I saw them die.”
He reached out, taking her hand in his. “And you’re safe. As long as you remain here I will keep you safe. You have my word.”
She looked up at him and he felt a sudden urge to kiss her.
A voice behind him. “My laird.”
He turned to see a guard standing there. “A messenger has come from Mungo Frazer.”
“I will come at once.” He turned to look back at the woman. “I will have Susanne come and take you to your room.”
She didn’t look up. That was for the best. Another glance at those sparkling eyes of hers and he’d be completely lost.
