Page 56 of Highland Vows of Betrayal

“Oh, what have I done?” Scarlett turned away and thrust her hands to her head. “What kind of Lady of Chattan will I be when I make errors such as this?”

“Ye didnae ken, did ye?” the healer said easily with a shrug. “’Tis an easy mistake tae make.”

“Nae for someone who kens this world better. I mean…” She broke off, aware of the way Callie eyed her now, like a kestrel watching the fields. “I thought he was genuine.”

“Maybe he was, but he has done it all before.”

“Ah, what have I done?” Scarlett said again, then flopped down on the bench. “How do I tell Noah about this? He’ll be angry, will he nae? I get the impression that man doesnae like mistakes, nor does he like tae lose money.” She hung her head, remembering what Noah had said about marrying Eloise for money.

I have now frittered away part of his income.

“Well, ye may have tae think of something tae say fast,” Callie said, breathing out with a heavy sigh. “Laird Chattan and the soldiers have just returned tae the castle.”

* * *

Scarlett hurried through the castle, her feet slipping in the ridiculous shoes Eloise had given her.

Damn these torture devices! Scarlett clutched the banister on the stairs to keep herself from falling down, then dashed down the steps, two at a time.

Where is Noah?

She shifted her gaze back and forth, looking for him. Some of the soldiers had arrived in the entrance hall, where they were greeted by the steward. He informed them that food would be waiting for them in their barracks. Scarlett could tell they hadn't found what they were looking for based on their tired expressions and lack of cheer.

"Those men are still out there," she thought to herself as she crept past the soldiers. She poked her head out the main door and looked around the courtyard. The light of the evening was fading into darkness. She found the place empty except for stable hands hurrying to put the horses away.

Where is he?

Retreating inside, she nearly collided with someone.

“Oh!” She stumbled face to face with Ian. “Ian! Are ye alright?” He was tired, trying his best to stifle a yawn, and he was dirty and weary.

“Aye, merely tired,” he assured her. “We owe ye an apology, me lady. We could nae…” He broke off and glanced at the soldiers retreating down the corridor, heading toward the barracks behind the steward.

“I ken,” Scarlett nodded. “Nae one is celebrating or jumping with delight, are they? Ye couldnae find them.”

“Nae,” he shook his head. “Wherever those cloaked men are hiding now, they have chosen a good place tae hide, indeed.”

“Perhaps so.” She angled her head, looking past his shoulder. “Where is Noah?”

“He has gone tae his study.” Ian’s expression turned to something curious. “Is there something wrong, me lady?”

“Aye, very much! Well, I have done something wrong, that is.” She hastened to tell Ian the story of Angus. She told him of the old man’s tears and how she believed him completely. “What will Noah say when he realizes what I have done? And why are ye smiling?” She broke off, watching Ian break into a broad smile.

“Ye seem tae think my brother will be furious.”

“I have noticed he has something of a temper,” she said, watching as Ian chuckled.

“Maybe ye ken him in some ways, but nae in every way. Go and tell him, me lady. Ye might be surprised by his response.” He bowed to her and hurried down the corridor, following the soldiers in search of food.

“Tell him? Tell him!” Scarlett repeated to herself and rubbed her temple with her fingers. “He willnae be happy. I ken it.” She thought of the anger on Noah’s face the first day they met. She did not particularly want that version of him back again. She’d rather have the Noah that teased her, kissed her in the mud, and pleasured her in the dark hours of the night.

Ach, I am losing my mind over him! He isnae mine tae claim.

She lowered her hands from her head and hastened up the staircase, heading for Noah’s study. When she reached the stone corridor outside the chamber, it was lit with orange torches, offering a dark amber light across the space. As a shadow passed, she stilled, waiting to see who it belonged to.

A maid stepped out of Noah’s study; the same one Scarlett had seen leaving Noah’s chamber the day she arrived at the castle.

A pit seemed to open up in her stomach. The maid passed her and bobbed a curtsy, a satisfied smile on her face before she hurried off. Scarlett froze in place, a sense of jealousy and anger forming inside of her.