Page 49 of A Rogue and a Noble Lass

“What does it look like? Are ye gaeing tae take it or nae?”

Logan licked his lips. It was even harder to resist now that the meat was in front of him. The smell invaded his nostrils and he could imagine the rich taste, the explosion of fat upon his tongue, the juices sliding down his throat. His nostrils flared and it almost drove him mad. The man pushed the plate again, practically forcing it into his lap.

Logan relented, grabbing the meat and tearing it apart with his teeth. The man sank beside him.

“I ken they are nae gaeing tae thank me for it, but ye are gaeing tae need yer strength now that we’re this close tae the Keep.”

“Who are ye?” Logan asked.

A strange smirk came across the man’s face. He had a broad forehead and a nose that looked as though it had been broken at least three times. There was a darkness in his eyes that Logan thought mirrored his own. A wry eyebrow arched.

“Well, I was to take yer place by Warnock,” he chuckled, although there was no humor in his laugh. “I’m Angus.”

Logan paused eating for a moment. He wiped the juice from his lips. “Ach, I wondered if we would meet.”

“Sae ye hae heard of me then?”

“Beitris mentioned ye.”

Angus pursed his lips and nodded, then glanced over his shoulder at the rest of the camp. There were a few suspicious glances cast their way.

“I think some of them still believe I am under his sway. I suppose I cannae blame them. I did kill their friends in battle.”

“Ye dinnae ken who ye were killing.”

“But I killed them all the same,” Angus snapped. He placed his hands on his thighs and took a moment to compose himself. “They can think what they want, but I thought ye hae been through enough without being starved along the way. They might think they ken how bad Warnock is, but none of them truly dae. None of them hae stood beside him and see the look in his eyes and heard his laugh.”

“Aye,” Logan rasped, hanging his head as he remembered it all too well.

“Ye are his heir, though. Always thought he did what he did tae me because he never hae one of his own.”

“I’m a bastard, and he treated me like one until he needed me. But I left home on my own mission. He was concerned with a war and the Highlands, whereas I only wanted one man’s head.”

“Aye, my uncle’s,” Angus said, although he did not seem to be as angry as the others. There was a certain acceptance to his tone, an understanding, even.

“I only wanted tae avenge my sister.”

“Aye, sometimes we dae terrible and rash things for our kin. I wanted tae prove myself sae I raced intae battle when it was nae my place tae dae sae, and I almost lost myself. I was turned intae his weapon and the way he treated me, well, I think I ken the way he treated ye. Whatever ye think of yerself Logan, ye are better than him.”

“I dinnae ken about that.”

“Aye, ye are because ye are here. It’s easy tae be like Warnock, lashing out at whoever ye want. It’s a lot harder tae care because it means ye put yerself in danger.”

“I fear it might be too late.”

Angus shook his head. “It’s never too late tae dae the right thing. And let me tell ye something about Beitris; if she feels something for ye, then she feels it with her whole heart. She’s never been one tae hold back.”

Logan laughed darkly and shook his head. “The only thing she feels for me right now is hatred.”

“Just be honest with her. Tell her everything, and I mean everything.”

Angus looked him directly in the eye. In that instant, Logan did feel a certain connection with him, as it became clear that Angus had seen and experienced the very worst of Warnock’s behavior. Oh yes, Logan indeed knew how Warnock treated his sons, and the trauma he had endured was reflected in Angus’ eyes.

“Well, just bear what I said in mind, and when the time comes, make sure ye save Beitris.”

Angus rose and returned to another part of the camp. Logan finished the meat and ruminated on Angus’ words. He then took himself to the far corner of the camp and settled in his bedroll, knowing that there would be eyes watching him all through the night.

Logan awoke in the morning from a restless and fitful sleep. The men were already preparing the horses. He strode through them all and came to stand before Allan, who had a surly look.