* * *
Bryce knew that he was on shaky ground, but he also knew he had to help in some way. It was for Lorna’s sake. After leaving her to Kyla’s care, the feel of her soft skin was still on his fingertips, and his body thrummed with the memory of nearly kissing her by the river. Her lips, so pert and pink, were the type that begged to be kissed. And he wanted to be the one to do it, if she so desired, of course.
By the way she’d leaned into him, and closed her eyes, he was certain that she would have accepted him. Weaving through the passage, he found his way to Fergus’s study door, and he could hear the two men inside, feverishly discussing the matter. He knocked and opened the door, and Tobias waved him in.
“Och, good, I was hoping you would join us.”
“Were ye?” Fergus asked from behind his desk, his wizened hands folded on top, looking none too pleased.
Tobias smiled. “Aye. My friend can be of good use to me while he is here.”
“That is what I came about, Laird. I wish tae offer me services, of course, and ask that I may stay on until all is complete. I was there with Lorna when we saw the body, and I was there at the wedding when everything happened with Watt. I shouldnae like tae leave her when I can still be of assistance. I am a little concerned for the lass. She is a childhood friend, after all, and I want naething but good things for her.”
Tobias grinned happily, but Fergus scowled even more, if that were possible. His dark gray brows knit together as he stared at Bryce. Bryce wondered if he had said far too much about Lorna than he meant to. Perhaps all that caring had come across on his face, in not a good way.
“Why should ye care so much about Lorna, lad? Yer time as childhood friends is over. Ye are now both grown, ye a lad fresh from war, and she a lass sensitive tae the woes of love, and now old enough tae marry. What good would it do tae keep ye around for such a long time?”
Tobias held out a hand. “Wait, Laird McAdam. I think it wise that Bryce stay. He must, in fact, and as magistrate, I request it of him. He was there when the victim was found, and he has skill in such matters as these.”
Fergus scoffed at that. “And why should the English care so much about what has happened tae a mere Scottish midwife? Why, most of the time, the English dismiss us as bloody heathens!”
Normally cheery and unfazed, Tobias leaned over the desk and said in a low voice in his best Scottish brogue, “I ken that it doesnae please ye, Laird, about me heritage. But I am the commander of the area, and I will act as magistrate. It is me duty. I donnae want violence and trouble, and as ye ken, me wife is pregnant, and we had a kinship with Mrs. Creech which is now ended. I want tae help the woman find her justice.”
He stood tall again and straightened his coat. Fergus looked suitably chastened, even if still bristling with anger. Bryce knew that it would be directed at him at one point or another. Tobias turned back to Bryce.
Bryce nearly laughed aloud at the return of his friend’s cheery English accent. “So, you will stay then, Bryce, and I will call upon you when I need.”
“Aye. A good plan. I will leave the two of ye now.” He bowed his head and didn’t wait for any more of Fergus’s disapproving remarks before taking his leave of the room. On his way back from the study, he paused by the library door. He wondered if Lorna was inside, and knowing that he was taking a great risk, he pushed through the door.
Even upon second viewing, the library was impressive, and he felt his breath catch as he took in the sight. He was glad that he would get to be here for a little while longer, even though his reason for remaining was a dark one.
“Bryce,” Lorna said, standing up hastily, after wiping a quick hand across her cheek. “Ye have come here again?” Her shoulders sank. “Ye are nae come tae scold me, are ye?”
“Nae,” he said with a little laugh, his heart aching to see that she’d been upset. Schooling his features into a frown, he stepped closer. “Are ye all right? I ken that much has happened taeday. Perhaps ye wish tae swing a sword in the training grounds tae get yer mind off it.”
He leaned down to catch her eyes, and his hands rose to rest on her shoulders. A brief smile touched her lips. “Aye, that might be a good thing, but nae taeday. Nae when all me family is disappointed in me behavior. I am well,” she added quickly before he could say anything. “I thank ye. I just need some rest.”
“Aye, true enough.” He pulled back, reluctant to take his hands from her. “But I wanted tae tell ye that yer father has told me I can stay a bit longer. Tobias needs me as well. It wouldnae be wise tae leave, until this matter is resolved.”
She nodded; her lips pursed together in thought. Automatically, his eyes moved there, thinking of their missed kiss. He nearly stepped closer to draw her to him when she said, “How do ye ken the Englishman? It seems odd that a Scotsman and a warrior nae less--having been in battle against them--would befriend an English soldier.”
Bryce nodded and moved a hand to the back of his neck to soothe the discomfort he felt. “Aye, it must be very strange tae see such a thing. But we were childhood friends. His mother is from me clan, and I kenned him well before soldiering had anything tae do with it. He is a good man, nae matter his blood. He will see Mrs. Creech right.”
Lorna gave him a quick smile. “I had nae doubt. I could see the goodness in his eyes. It is all in the eyes, I say.”
“Och? Is that a rule of yers?”
“It certainly is,” she said in all seriousness. “One must only look tae the eyes tae ken the truth about many a thing.”
“Well then,” he said, leaning down a little closer, “what is it that ye see in me eyes? If we are all so easy tae read?”
“Well,” Lorna replied, lifting her chin a bit to look more fully at him. Even out of the sunlight, the gold in her eyes shone brightly, and he never wanted to look away. Softly, she said, “Yer eyes tell me that ye are a good man, although ye have struggled in the past. Ye have seen much difficulty and sadness, too. It is all there.”
She stepped away after her pronouncement and looked away from him, as if just looking at him was difficult for her. Something pulled at him from deep within his body, and it ached when she pulled away. He didn’t want her to be afraid or to hate him or to do anything that would increase their distance.
“Aye,” he replied, his voice a little thick. “Ye have spoken well, lass. I now believe in yer gift, although I donnae ken how good a man I am. It was always Watt who was better. Purer.”
Lorna didn’t say anything, to his dismay. He looked down at where she’d been sitting, and there was a pile of books on the table beside her. “I shall leave ye tae yer peace. I ken how much ye enjoy the library here. I caused enough trouble yesterday, coming tae scold ye and all that.”
