Page 49 of Highland Vows of Betrayal

Perhaps he wishes tae forget what happened last night.

She tried to remind herself that it didn’t matter if Noah was cold toward her. After all, she wasn’t the one who would marry him, was she?

What sort of sister am I?

A few minutes later, she arrived at the healer's door. It had to be the right one because it had a strong herbal scent and strange runes etched in the oak door. Scarlett tapped lightly on the door, and a slender young woman stepped forward to greet her. Callie's hair was long and darkly plaited down her back, and her eyes were a deep grey.

“Ah! I meet the future Lady Chattan at last,” Callie declared, waving a hand into the room. “Please, come in, Lady Eloise.”

“Thank ye.” Scarlett reminded herself that she was now Eloise and stepped inside. “I am afraid I had something of an accident.”

“That I see.” Callie took her arm and gently urged her to sit on a table. The strong scent of rosemary and thyme filled the air, prompting Scarlett to sneeze. “That often happens in this room,” Callie chuckled and hurried to remove the plaid bandage from her arm. “Ah, ‘tis nasty but easily fixed, I assure ye. Who did this tae ye, me lady?”

“A few bastards.” Scarlett’s response had Callie laughing at the picture in her mind.

Oh dear, Eloise would never have said such a thing.

“Aye, now that is a truly honest answer indeed.” Callie stepped away to gather herbs together, along with a needle. “’Tis refreshing tae have ye in this castle, me lady.”

“Truly?” Scarlett was amused. “I think most would raise eyebrows at my boldness.”

“Then know ye have found a friend in me,” Callie said with a wink, making Scarlett smile. She liked her already.

* * *

“Are ye serious?” Ian asked, falling into his chair at the council table. Noah continued to pace, restless and watching the door. The council wasn’t there yet, but they’d arrive soon. “They were after Lady Eloise. Are ye certain?”

“Aye.”

“They shot at her. Why? Why is that?”

“I dinnae ken.” Ian shook his head fervently. “Maybe the council will have some ideas.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

“There is something else that concerns ye. I see it in yer face.”

“Is it enough to explain yer sharp visage?” Ian asked, holding his hands up. “I would say it is. Ye should ken yer absence from the castle last night with yer future lady had made people talk.”

Noah tripped as he paced and came to a complete stop, stopping himself before he could fall.

“I thought that look may be yer reaction.” Ian pointed at his face. “That darkness is back.”

“I dinnae want people whispering about me!” Noah declared, waving a hand about the room.

“They suggest ye and yer bride may have jumped a little ahead of the wedding vows.”

“Ah, for the sake of the wee man above!” Noah flung his head back and turned away to resume pacing.

Well, we did.

He couldn’t exactly argue against the idea. He had indulged in Scarlett the evening before and barely held back from taking her further. It felt natural after their day together. All the excitement, the bickering, the tension, and then the fear. It culminated in his desire to see her completely under his spell, pleasured to the point that the cloaked men were the furthest thing from thought.

“Once ye marry, the whispers will stop.” Noah paused. He hovered at the council room window overlooking the courtyard. When he spied Scarlett outside, he drew up. She walked beside Callie, the two talking freely and laughing together. The sight of Scarlett’s smile made his stomach knot.

If I marry her, what then?

“This isnae good, Ian.”

“I agree, but we’ll find the men hunting her—”