Page 22 of A Rogue and a Noble Lass

Logan laughed again. Now that it happened a second time, Beitris was certain that she liked his laughter. She might have liked him, at least more than she had when they first met.

“Aye, I’ll strike with a sword as yer arrow hits,” Logan said.

Beitris chuckled as well. It seemed like a far-fetched plan. Surely the stars would not align like that. Right now, she wasn’t even certain she would be able to wield her bow in battle. While she was respected by the clan, she wasn’t the Laird, and her orders would not supersede his.

“I’m sure it will all work out for the best. Warnock’s plans hae been foiled time and time again. He is at the end, and we are just waiting for the final strike tae happen. He hae failed tae make alliances. He is alone.”

“Aye, but some men are most dangerous when they are alone and hae naething tae lose. We cannae assume victory, even when it is within our grasp. Warnock hae a way of making triumphs taste bitter.”

Beitris nodded and gave him a reassuring smile. “I’m sure that Brody will be fine,” she said, assuming that Logan’s words alluded to Brody.

Her gaze rested upon him and the atmosphere became tender. The silence stretched between them and she found it difficult to look away. She studied the pained look in his eyes, the knot in his brow, and the thick hair. She thought of him scampering through the Highlands with Brody, running from his loss, trying to find his way in the world. Anger flowed through his blood and she presumed he thought he had to fight because there was nothing else for him.

Beitris found herself hoping that when all this was over he could find peace somewhere. She was lucky because Angus had come back, but Logan’s family never would.

Could there be peace for a man like that, even when the source of his anguish had been killed?

“Don’t look at me like that,” Logan said, interrupting her thoughts.

Beitris was shaken. The openness that came with his laughter fell away, and it felt as though a door had been slammed in her face. His words were not harsh, but they were firm, and there was no space for her to find any other meaning in them.

“Like what?” she asked.

“Like you care.”

Beitris clenched her jaw just as heat rose to her cheeks. She was angry not because he was mistaken, but because she could feel things stirring within her, things that threatened to make her life complicated. Because he had seen through her.

“It’s naething like that, Logan. Dinnae mistake my friendship for anything deeper. Ye just seemed lonely, that’s all. I hae seen enough marriages in my time. I think I would prefer tae be a wee bit different.”

“Sae ye are just being kind,” he replied.

Did he seem disappointed, or was she imagining it?

“Aye.”

“Ye remind me of her.”

The words slipped out as a whisper, and when Beitris asked Logan who he spoke about, the look on his face told her that he hadn’t intended to speak these words out loud. However, he did not try to deny them, nor did he remain silent.

“My sister,” he continued. “She was full of joy, curiosity, sharp remarks, and she was never shy about helping people either. She was the kindest person.”

“I’m sorry I dinnae hae the chance tae meet her,” Beitris said, getting a sense of the profound loss that Logan had suffered.

Logan clasped his hands together and he looked as though he was about to say something else, but before he could there was a disturbance behind them all. Frantic footsteps approached the feasting hall and the door was flung open. A guard with a pained expression on his face clapped his hands and with a thunderous voice commanded the attention of everyone in the room.

“Reinforcements are needed!” he bellowed.

Everything was frantic as the guards pushed themselves to their feet. Beitris stared at Logan, the commotion rising around them like a storm.

Something had happened.

Something bad.

9

Guards and warriors flooded out of the breakfast hall. Beitris was already rushing through the Keep, Logan just behind her because he didn’t know where else he should be. Beitris found her father donning his armor. He peered at her out of the corner of his eye.

“Beitris, I don’t have time for this,” he said.