Bryce and Lorna pulled apart, but by the look on Athol’s face, they hadn’t moved away fast enough. At least they were standing in front of the journals on the table, and Athol was too distracted by his anger to see them anyway.
“And what is going on here?” he asked. “Leaving yer English commander tae stand guard while ye do God kens what?” He stalked toward them, looking angrier than ever.
Bryce stood to his full height. “It was nae like that at all, Athol. Naething happened. There is nae need for anger like this.” He met the man’s eyes. The secret was already out, but Athol didn’t know that. Bryce still had that card to play in the man’s mind.
“Aye,” Lorna said before Athol could fly into a rage again. “Ye must learn tae calm yerself, Athol. I am nae a pet tae be minded.”
Athol took a breath as he looked at Bryce and thinking better of what he was about to say, stated, “Lass, Mother is lookin’ for ye. I told her I would come and find ye. She said she wants tae talk tae ye about something.”
“Aye,” Lorna said. “I will go.” Looking at Bryce one more time, she took her leave, thanking Tobias on her way out.
Athol watched her go and then turned back to Bryce, poking a finger in his face. “Perhaps ye may want tae take yer leave for a little while. I donnae think me father will be happy tae see ye when he returns. Especially that yer English friend hasnae arrested ye yet.” Without another word, Athol stomped out, and Tobias rushed toward Bryce.
“Come. We’d better take these journals out and away. I shudder to think what would happen if they got into the wrong hands. Not before we have figured everything out. Let us go to the tavern. A little drinking might give us the clarity we need.”
“Aye,” Bryce said with a smile, picking up one of the journals. But he couldn’t shake the meaning of Lorna’s last words.
Had she truly forgiven him? Or would she forever be afraid that he would hurt her again?
