Page 65 of Tales of Highland Loyalty

"It's about what you want, dear brother," he said, his pale green eyes twinkling. This provoked more confusion in Will. His face must have said it all because Trenton laughed a little mirthlessly.

"You know, it is not just you who suffers in not knowing what you want," his brother said accusingly. Then, after sitting in the middle of the pile of papers, Trenton stood abruptly and glared down at Will.

"You talk in riddles, Trenton. Are you in your cups already?"

Trenton shook his head.

"So typical, Will. So pompous, yet you can't see the harm you are doing to those around you,"

Trenton marched around the solar, poking at the bureau and mindlessly dropping papers about. Will felt his patience ebbing.

"Me? Egad! That is rich coming from you." Irritation gave way to total disbelief. Will pushed back his chair and glared at Trenton. "What on Earth are you chuntering about?"

Now it was Trenton's turn to look aggrieved. "Lissie!" he spat, his pale green eyes fixed on Will. "What have you done to her? Have you even seen her recently? She is talking about leaving town."

Will stopped. He looked unsurely at Trenton.

"Leaving?"

The rain drummed on against the shutters, periodically sending stray drops inside the room. Will did not look up, even when the wind blew all his papers down. Darkness had crept into the solar, with the pair of them face-to-face.

"Aye, leaving," said Trenton, looking almost satisfied. Will instantly fell into a rage. He did not know how Trenton could goad him so. "As in, going away, back up to Scotland. For good!"

Will's heart flashed in pain. But quickly, he covered it up. Coughing, he stood up.

"But?"

Will was wretched. Inside, it burned. He needed to claw this back inside of him. A bit more, and he risked showing his true feelings to all. But Trenton was not budging.

"But nothing, Will. You swatted her away like a fly. You know how she feels, and you just dropped her without a word. And I am the bad one!"

Trenton's voice rose volubly, sending Will into defensive mode.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Trenton."

Trenton shot Will a look of pure poison.

"I mean, dear brother, that the poor girl is broken—and it is all your fault!"

Trenton's eyes flashed angrily, and Will felt as if he had been punched.

"What cow-slaver are you talking about, now?" Will asked, but even as he said it, his conscience hurt.

"I mean, Lissie is beside herself," said Trenton, getting in his face.

Will's irritation increased. He wanted to scream and bray him. But the worst thing was knowing Trenton was right.

"What do you care?" asked Will in a snarl.

It was strange. It was almost as if he could see himself from above snarking, baiting, spitting. All the things he wanted to do to Trenton were things he wanted to do to himself. And yet, he couldn't stop them from happening. Will was literally shaking with anger as Trenton faced up to him.

"I care about Lissie," said Trenton, his eyes implacably strange.

Will felt himself heat up.

It was not true. It could not be true.

"You mock me," said Will tersely, backing away from Trenton. One more push, one more shove, and he would go for him.