Erik narrowed his eyes. “Why would he want ye dead, lass?”
“Because,” she answered, gripping his arm tightly, “he saw me this morn, with ye.”
“Who is it?” Erik asked, feeling anger well up in his body.
Isabel looked around once more, her face growing pale. “He will be watching the keep on the north side tonight. I...I am fearful of mah life.”
Erik clenched his jaw, more concerned that a McIves warrior was walking the grounds with another plan in mind.
“I will find him,” he stated.
Isabel’s eyes teared up. “Thank ye, Erik,” she breathed. “Thank ye.”
He nodded and walked out of the alcove, nearly bowling over Leeth in the process.
“Och, lad,” Leeth said, stumbling back. “Where are ye going in such a hurry?”
Isabel chose that moment to exit as well, and Erik watched as the older warrior’s eyes followed the lady until she disappeared into the crowd. “Ah,” he replied, understanding dawning on his face.
“Nay,” he stated, shaking his head. “’Tis not like that.”
Leeth arched a brow. “I hope not. I thought that ye might be interested tae know that Finley has arrived.”
Erik’s throat closed, and he inclined his head. “Aye, that does interest me.”
Leeth stepped forward, all traces of good humor vanishing. “If ye hurt her, I will run mah sword through ye without so much of a concern.”
“Dinnae worry,” Erik said, rolling his shoulders. “I have no intentions of hurting her.”
Leeth grinned. “See that ye dinnae. I like ye, lad, and I would hate tae have yer blood on mah sword.”
Erik watched as the old warrior walked off before walking after him, his mind now on Finley and not on Isabel.
It didn’t take him long to find her. She was standing near her aunt, wearing another dress that showed off her form, and Erik’s mouth went dry at the sight of her hair pulled off her neck.
Christ, she was lovely. All afternoon he had been thinking of her and her arms around his waist, walking around much of the day with his member aching to have her near him once more. No matter what he did, how he pushed her away, Finley didn’t leave his thoughts, and Erik was worried that she might have affected him far more than he cared to admit.
By some invisible thread, he found himself drawn to her, and she gave him a little smile when he appeared before her.
“Erik,” she said softly.
“Finley,” he responded, clearing his throat. “Ye are looking lovely, lass.”
She blushed, and he felt his own body respond, his hands itching to touch her. “Will ye dance with me?” he asked, holding out his hand.
Finley placed her hand in his, and he pulled her out amongst the dancing couples in the center of the great hall. He tugged on her hand until she was a hairbreadth away from him. His hand found her hip, and he heard her sharp intake of breath as they started to move together.
“I’ve thought aboot ye all day,” he said truthfully, catching her gaze. “I didnae want tae, but I couldnae help it.”
She gave him a little smile. “’Tis time ye admitted it, Erik.”
He chuckled and spun her around to the music, catching her hand the moment she faced him again. “Wot is that supposed tae mean, lass?”
She leaned in, her eyes sparkling. “It means that I’ve gotten under yer skin, Erik.”
Bloody hell, he wanted to kiss her! “Do ye think so?”
Finley gave him a sly smile. “Aye, warrior, I do.”
