Page 21 of Scot of Seduction

Perhaps because she has made it plain that she doesnae like me at all.

Then he remembered the way a breathy moan had escaped her early that morning as he had nuzzled her, holding her tight. In her sleep, at least, she hadn’t seemed to hate him that much.

Callum turned to offer Catreena a top up. As she accepted, her smile broad, Tad lost his patience. He stood from his chair, his plate unfinished.

“Ye all right, Tad?” Bran asked, Ilyssa leaning forward with some concern at his side.

“Ye havenae eaten.” She gestured at his plate.

“Nae hungry. I’ll retire fer the night, after I check on the soldiers.” He parted from the room, doing the best he could not to let his gaze slip toward Catreena as he left.

Stepping out of the hall door, her laughter followed him, that tinkling sound which made his gut tighten, for she didn’t laugh in the same way with him.

Tad went to the barracks first to check who was keeping guard there, then he checked the front of the keep before retreating to the inner curtain wall at the edge of the keep. He clambered high up a spiral stone staircase and stopped between the crenulations, staring out at the night sky.

The moon was bright tonight, nearly full, with stars twinkling around it in the blackness. The cool air bristled his dark hair, making him fold his arms as he leaned upon the wall. He could breathe easily at last, the coldness filling his lungs, though his peace was short lived.

“Tad?” Callum’s voice had followed him. He angled his head around to see Callum stepping out from the spiral staircase onto the top wall with him. “Well, it’s a good place tae stop and think about the world.”

“Aye, it is.” Despite their friendship, Tad was not in a talkative mood. He stared out at the stars and his land again, this land he had to keep safe. Callum silently moved to his side, leaning on the wall beside him.

“Ye seemed out of sorts at dinner. I wanted tae see if everything was well.”

“I’m well enough.” Tad knew Callum was observant enough that he couldn’t get away with a full lie. “Let’s just say that Cillian Grant is in the back of me mind.”

He knew there would be hell to pay at some point from Cillian Grant, for all of them. The man had set his mind on marrying Ilyssa. Her refusal made her his enemy. Bran’s marrying Ilyssa made him Cillian’s enemy as well, but they were not the only ones. Tad’s killing of Cillian Grant’s father was the ultimate reason for his seeking vengeance.

What was it I said that day? That I never would have found them, if it hadnae been fer Catreena.

He couldn’t help wondering if this was something that perhaps Cillian Grant had fixated on, that if Catreena hadn’t been watching, hadn’t told Tad what she had seen, Grant’s plan might have worked, and his Grant’s father might still be alive.

“I wanted tae talk tae ye, about Catreena.” Callum’s words brought Tad back to the moment. He couldn’t summon words now that Catreena had been mentioned, so he just looked at Callum through the moonlight, waiting for him to go on. “Did something happen between ye two on yer way here? An argument, perhaps?”

“We’re always arguing. Nothing new in that.” Tad looked away. He would not tell Callum, or anyone for that matter, that he had kissed Catreena.

“Very well. There is something more I wished tae ask ye.”

“Go on.”

“Dae ye think her braithers would mind if I…” His hesitation made Tad’s head jerk around again. He prayed the darkness masked his glower. “If I wanted tae ken Catreena more? If I asked tae spend time with her?”

“Ye want tae court her?” Tad tried to keep his voice level, despite the fact his hands had gone stiff, the palms clammy.

“Aye, maybe.” Callum shrugged. “I’d at least like tae ken her better first. Dae ye think Bran would object?”

Aye! He bloody well would!

The words almost erupted from Tad, but he held them back despite the temptation. A low growl escaped from him in the attempt to bite his tongue. Callum looked amazed, taking the smallest of steps back.

“Protective of her like a sister, eh?” Callum asked with a small smile, trying to diffuse the suddenly awkward air between them.

“Aye, ye could say that.” Tad forced himself to match that smile.

She isnae mine tae protect. Nae in that way.

Tad knew that neither Bran nor any of her other brothers would mind too much if Callum courted her. He was everything they would surely want in a husband for their sister. He was a good man, with integrity and honor. He was a strong fighter too, able to parry with great skill when needed and called upon in battle. He was also kind, and Tad had never seen Callum mistreat a woman.

And he didn’t have dalliances as Tad did.