Page 69 of Edge of Yesterday

“Do you know everyone who lives there?” Julianna asked.

“How long has he been here?” Sir Lawren said, ignoring her, and keeping his gaze on Cailean. “I saw you last night at the festivities, but have never seen you before that.”

She gritted her teeth. “It is no concern of yours who our friends are.”

“I will leave, if you wish,” Cailean said.

Julianna kept her stare on Sir Lawren. “We do no’ ask guests to leave simply to please Sir Lawren.”

The knight faced her mother. “Lady Ravenstone, forgive me, but I must ask how this man—this stranger—ingratiated himself into your home. What do you know of him? Is he kin?”

“Julianna is right, Sir Lawren. While I appreciate your concern, I decide who is welcome in my hall.”

“Of course, my lady.” He canted his head. “But with Lord Ravenstone away—”

“Lennox can deal with any problems while my husband is away,” she cut in.

Sir Lawren’s mouth thinned, but he said, “Of course, my lady.” He faced Julianna. “You must be exhausted after the day’s events, Lady Julianna. May I escort to you to your room?”

She forced back anger. A moment ago, he openly ignored her, yet now expected her to welcome his advances. “I am not ready to retire, sir. In fact, Cailean has been injured and needs attention.”

Fury lit Sir Lawren’s eyes. “I am certain Malvina can tend to his wounds.” He flicked a glance at Cailean’s bloody sleeve and the long bead of dried blood visible through the tear. Lawren scoffed. “It is a mere scratch. Only a woman would worry about a scratch.”

“I imagine if the woman was Lady Julianna, she wouldn’t worry about a scratch,” Cailean said.

She snapped her gaze to his face. He grinned. Warmth crept up her cheeks.

“Lady Julianna should never be in a position to be harmed,” Sir Lawren growled.

“A scratch is nothing,” Cailean said. “And, as you can see, she is unharmed—thanks to her brother, me, and his men. Not to mention herself.” Cailean’s gaze shifted onto her. “Why did the guard drop you, my lady?”

“Drop her? What happened?” Lawren half rose from his chair.

Julianna ignored him and said to Cailean, “I stabbed him with a hair pin. I thought I’d lost them all when they attacked us on the road. But the one that remained nearly fell free when the guard threw me over his shoulder. I saw it in the hair that slipped in front of my face and, well,” she shrugged, “I stabbed him.”

Cailean chuckled, and tension in her stomach relaxed a fraction. Since the attack, he had remained too grim.

“Good for you, Lady Julianna,” he said. “I feel certain you would have escaped without our help.”

She frowned. “Nae, I tried. There was no way out of that tower.”

His amusement vanished. “I know. I imagine your brother and I will have to talk with Hugh Murray to find out what he had in mind.”

“You?” Sir Lawren’s face darkened. “My God, you have bollocks. It is no’ for you to do anything.”

“It is when I ask him,” Julianna’s mother said. Her tone was mild, but no one missed the steel beneath the words.

“Of course, my lady, but his part is done,” Lawren said.

“Perhaps, but that is a decision for another day. It is late. Julianna, have Malvina tend to Cailean.”

“Lady Ravenstone, you needn’t bother,” Cailean said.

“Even mere scratches can fester,” she replied. “It is interesting that it is your left arm that is wounded again.”

“That is because his sword arm moves like lightning,” Julianna said. “He is so fast that no one can touch that arm.”

The instant of silence that followed told of her mistake. Sir Lawren stared at her, eyes narrowed, and curiosity entered her mother’s eyes.