He saw her surprise, but she moved closer to him, to listen. He had surprised himself by his boldness. “Aye, there was someone, but this woman didnae care for me, nae as I did for her. It was nae meant tae be. I was so hurt by that, and ye ken the pain, and I wished tae forget it. But I chose the wrong path. I am sure that Kyla or someone has told ye of me reputation.” He laughed, thinking about his time in France, how he tried to numb his pain at that loss as best he could. And there were other, new pains that he needed to numb as well.
Lorna nodded with a slight blush. “I may have heard something. Aye.”
“Well, it is true, but it was nae tae make sport of women or treat them as things. It was tae forget what I had lost. Well, I suppose I never really had it tae begin with. It was a waste of time. But healing happens. It takes time, and I can see ye are ready for it. It is good tae think of other things, new things,” he stressed, wondering if his speech would push her away from him rather than draw her closer.
Nodding, Lorna stood. “I thank ye for yer words, Bryce, but I think it is time that we part. The sun is bright, and Kyla may come at any moment.”
“Aye, true.” He jumped to his feet. “Forgive me. And I was meant tae train with yer brother’s men again taeday. Ye should come and join us, if ye have the time,” he added, smiling at Lorna’s renewed blush. “See ye, lass.”
“See ye,” she said in a soft voice, and after he opened the door and looked down the passage, he hurried on to his own chamber.
He washed and dressed before hurrying down to the hall, where he found Tobias waiting for him. “Och, I apologize. Have ye waited long, lad?” He went to the table where food was waiting, and was glad that Fergus was nae around.
He was just about to cut into the warm bread when Tobias said, “I have not been waiting long, but I wanted to speak to you as soon as possible. Another body has been found.” Bryce dropped the knife in his hands, and it made a loud thunk on the table. He turned back to Tobias, shock in his face.
“Shite. Where? How?”
“It is a man, and it is here at the castle.”
“Who is it?” His stomach fell, and he feared it was Athol or Fergus, and he worried that Lorna might never recover.
“The clan’s healer, Conan McTavish. Come with me. I will show you. Fergus is already there with the body, and I have sent one of my men to guard it as well until we can make a plan. Will you come with me?”
Bryce nodded, still in shock, but now his appetite was gone. Why was someone trying to kill those who brought help, much-needed help, to the clan? He didn’t understand it. Just as they were about to leave, Kyla and Lorna appeared in the doorway. “I just heard,” she said, breathing hard. “Let me come with ye.”
“Nae,” he said loudly, forgetting that he was meant to be trying to coax her into courage and to live a new life. “I mean that ye had a shock yesterday. Ye donnae need tae come.”
Lorna stiffened, and he could see her lift her chin in defiance. He would not be able to fight against it. “We discussed this, Bryce. Ye donnae need tae protect me. I want tae help if I can. Conan McTavish is a good man, and I want tae help find out who did this.”
Bryce could see her fists clenched at her sides, and he nodded. “Fine, then. Come with us. But ye will have tae come tae me aid when yer father has me head for allowing it.”
As they left the castle gates, Lorna grinned. “And I thought ye were a famous warrior who could fight anyone. Surely ye are able tae fight against a mere Laird who is twice yer age.”
Despite the strange circumstances, Bryce found himself smirking, and he hurried after Lorna who’d sped up to catch up with Tobias. They walked to the stables, and Bryce was reminded of how only yesterday, he’d thought he was leaving for good, putting Lorna McAdam behind him, but now he was glad he was there.
Tobias slowed and said to Bryce and Lorna, “The man was found behind the stables in the pile of waste the stable boy shovels back there. Leaves, straw, excrement. It is very unsightly, just to warn you.”
Bryce was certain that he would have no trouble, but he looked to Lorna who shook her head. She leaned in close to him and whispered, “Ye will nae be afraid for me, lad. I want tae help.”
Even so, he feared for her. She was rushing too quickly after viewing one death in to seeing another, and he worried that the consequences could be difficult.
“Father,” she said, rushing up to meet him as he stood behind the stables, a grim look on his face.
She turned to face the pile of waste, and a soft gasp escaped her lips. She stepped back and reached for her father, putting a hand over her mouth. Fergus held onto her tightly. “What in God’s name are ye doing out here, Lorna? Bryce, why is she here?” he said gruffly, turning his angry eyes to Bryce.
“Father, ye mustnae scold anyone but me. It was me decision tae come. Bryce is nae me keeper,” she said, scowling at him.
Bryce ignored Fergus’s warning look, and he stepped closer, beside Tobias. He crouched on his heels to look at the dead man. He was partially uncovered now; the dirt having been pushed off his face. His face grim, Bryce said, “The man has been here some time. He has already started tae decompose.”
It was true, and Bryce was even more frustrated that Lorna had wanted to come and see it for herself. Even so, he felt her at his side, and he stood, reaching out instinctively to hold her elbow. “Are ye all right, lass?”
“Aye, I am fine.” She looked down at the body, and he could see the sadness in her eyes. “Poor Conan. Who would do such a thing? And why here? At the castle?” she looked around, and he could see that her eyes were moist with tears. He knew it was partially grief, but also the excitement of the moment. There were not many who could stomach it. Fergus kept far away, and Kyla stayed on the edge of the barn, only peeking around the corner.
“I donnae ken what tae think just yet.” He looked around the base of the wall of the stables. “I cannae see anything here, Tobias, but we will need tae take the body inside. Let us use the wagon in the stables tae take it in. Ye and I and yer man can heave it up.”
“Right.” Tobias waved to the other soldier waiting nearby, and with a deep breath, Bryce leaned down to search for the dead man’s limbs to lift him up. Lorna had moved back to give him room, and behind him, he could hear her fighting with her father as he escorted her from the scene. Bryce might normally have tried to stop him, but at that moment, he didn’t want her to see this gruesomeness. There would be plenty more to see in the castle.
