Grimly, he said, “Och, there ye are.”
* * *
Bryce pulled back away from Lorna, almost too far, and he could tell that Lorna noticed. But he didn’t feel like dealing with Athol’s anger and older brother possessiveness at the moment.
Or rather uncle’s possessiveness.
Athol was eyeing him suspiciously, but he didn’t say anything. He looked at Lorna.
“Lass, the servants are asking questions about the preparations for the funerals. And since mother is ill, I think ye are in charge of it all.” He looked tired, and Bryce knew the man hadn’t slept much the night before, thinking about his dead sister and her child.
“Och, of course,” she said. “I will go and take care of that now. Do ye think father will be back in time taemorrow?”
Athol shrugged, and he offered her his arm as they walked out. “I donnae ken, but I hope so. If the funerals are in the afternoon.”
“Ye will have tae act as Laird for the day, if he is nae,” Bryce heard her say in return. Just before she left the library, she shot him a glance, and he nodded at her.
Shaking off the thrill of what he’d just been about to do with Lorna once again, he decided to write a letter. He wanted to inform Tobias of everything he’d learned, and not learned, and he wanted to tell him of what he heard from Athol about Lorna’s parentage. It was not his news to share, but he thought it might be helpful to Tobias, since Athol had been making himself somewhat suspicious with his heightened emotions.
He pulled out paper from the desk and wrote out a letter to Tobias, folding it up, and then when he turned to leave, he saw that Lorna had left the flowers. No doubt she wanted to avoid questions from her brother about them. He decided to take them to her room himself, and then, he thought wickedly, he could write her a little more personal note.
At her door he knocked, and then when there was no answer, he slipped inside, just as he had the other night. He left the flowers on her side table, and he laid down the note he had written before and added,If I lived for a thousand years, I could never forget yer lips. Please donnae push me away. If ye feel something for me, I pray ye give it a chance.
He frowned. A poet he most certainly was not. But it would have to do. It was better than him saying it out loud and making a fool of himself if he didn’t say it properly. He hesitated, but then decided to leave the note and see what came of it. His heart was thudding wildly as he turned to leave the room, only to bump into Kyla just about to enter.
She lifted a brow and put her hands on her hips. He pushed the letter for Tobias into his pocket. “And what are ye doing here, I might ask?”
“Donnae worry, Lorna is nae inside.”
“Och, I ken. I came upstairs tae find her a cloak. We mean tae meet with the priest before the funeral taemorrow.”
Bryce nodded. “Good, good. I was just leaving her flowers.”
“Flowers?” she asked, coming inside, and peering at the table. “Why, they’re beautiful.”
“Aye. They made me think of her and so I wanted tae give them tae her.”
“Bryce,” Kyla began. “I ken we talked before, and I ken it is nae me place, but I love Lorna. I want her tae be safe after all the heartbreak she has been through. Can ye understand that?”
“Aye,” Bryce replied, nodding. “I want naething more than for Lorna tae be safe and happy. But ye are worried about her? Because of me?”
“Aye,” Kyla frowned. “I ken a thing or two about bad men, and I donnae want Lorna tae experience it. She’s only ever loved one man, and that’s it. She is so innocent, so trusting. She doesnae ken the world like ye do.” Kyla’s eyes were full of a mixture of disapproval and disappointment.
Bryce nodded, getting a heavy feeling in his chest, remembering that he had competition in his brother. Even though Watt was happily married and had no interest in Lorna, Bryce was still having to fight against him for her heart. It was infuriating. And Watt had no idea.
“Donnae worry, lass. I willnae hurt Lorna. I want only the best for her.” Bryce smiled, trying to reassure her. “I have nae bad intentions, and I donnae think of Lorna like a hired woman or anything of that sort.”
“Good,” Kyla said, breathing out with relief. “I am glad tae hear it.” She moved to the wardrobe and pulled out a long, leather cloak. “Good day tae ye.”
“Good day,” Bryce said, watching as Kyla left down the passage. He was still in the entry to the doorway, and he glanced down at the note he was planning to leave with the flowers. After a few seconds of thought, he took the note and crumpled it in his hands. He closed the door behind him and left, chastising himself for being a coward.
