Page 55 of Edge of Yesterday

“Who are you?” Crowe looked at him, his eyes cold.

“Cailean Mackay from Durness,” Lennox answered. “We are on our way to the merchant stalls. If there is nothing else ye need…”

“Aye, there is something more,” Crowe said in a voice that said ‘fuck you.’ “Do you know anything about five of my men being murdered two nights ago?”

“Murdered?” Lennox repeated. “Nay. What happened?”

“We found them here in Heatheredge, on the east side of the village.” Crowe regarded Cailean. “Where were you two nights ago?”

From the corner of his eye, Cailean saw Lennox’s mouth tighten. “With Lennox at Raghnall,” Cailean replied.

Crowe’s eyes flicked to Lennox, who said, “He was with me.”

“Where did you get that wound?” Crowe nodded at Cailean’s left arm, where his sleeve was still rolled up to his bicep. He’d removed the bandage as the wound had scabbed over nicely.

Cailean grinned. “A lucky strike by Lennox.”

“Lucky?” Lennox snorted. “If you recall, I bested you just a short while ago.”

“I wouldn’t say you bested me,” Cailean said. “And I was speaking of the other night.”

“When?” Crowe demanded.

“When what?” Cailean blinked.

“When did Lennox injure you?”

“He didn’t ‘injure me,’” Cailean said. “It’s little more than a scratch.”

“A scratch that is six inches long, and has been healing at least two days,” Crowe said.

“Three days,” Lennox said, “and the injury required Malvina’s attention.”

“It really wasn’t necessary for the healer to attend to it,” Cailean said.

“Aye.” Lennox nodded. “But my mother insisted. And be glad she did.”

Cailean shrugged. “A man doesn’t argue with Lady Ravenstone.”

“Your speech is strange.” Something flickered in Crowe’s eyes; suspicion, annoyance? He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. “I thought you said you were from Durness.”

“He is, but he grew up in Cumyrnald,” Lennox said.

Crowe’s frown deepened, but his gaze shifted past Lennox. Cailean twisted and looked over his shoulder. Lady Julianna approached with the two guards Lennox had sent with her. She reached them and Crowe said, “It is good to see you, Lady Julianna.”

“My lord.” She nodded. “Are ye well?”

Her words were civil and respectful, but Cailean noted none of the warmth she’d shown when she bantered with him earlier—even when she’d been angry about the swordplay.

“I am well, now that I have seen you,” Crowe said.

Her cheeks colored.

“My regrets that I missed the festivities at Raghnall last night,” Crowe said. “I had business that I could not ignore.”

She canted her head in an elegant motion. “I understand. You are a very busy man.”

“Not too busy, should you need me, my lady.”

Cailean caught the flash of anger in Lennox’s eyes. Julianna must have seen it as well, for she said, “Forgive me, my lord, but we are overdue for our return home. My brother and Cailean played too long at the swordsmith’s shop. My mother will worry if we are late.”

“Of course.” Crowe looked at Lennox. “When your father returns, inform him that I must see him immediately.”

Lennox nodded and Crowe strode away with his companions.