Page 87 of The Laird’s Sinful Claim

CHAPTER TWENTY

David stared at the map spread across his desk, his eyes tracking the potential entry points into Keppoch's walls. He'd been awake all night, going over defenses, questioning guards, reviewing patrol routes.

"David."

He looked up to find Euan standing in the doorway, leaning heavily on his walking stick. His friend's face was drawn with concern.

"Ye should be restin'," David said, returning his attention to the map. "It's early yet."

"It's past dawn." Euan limped into the room, closing the door behind him. "And ye look like hell."

"I'm fine."

"Ye're nae fine. Ye havenae slept."

"I had work tae dae."

"Work." Euan moved closer, his eyes scanning the maps and papers scattered across the desk. "Or broodin’?"

"I'm nae broodin'. I'm plannin'." David marked another spot on the map. "The east wall needs reinforcement. And we should add another guard rotation at⁠—"

"David." Euan's hand came down on the map, forcing David to look up. "Stop."

"I'm busy."

"Ye're shuttin' down." Euan's voice was quiet but firm. "I've seen ye like this before. When yer uncle––"

"Dinnae." The word came out sharp. "Dinnae talk about him."

"Someone needs tae." Euan pulled out a chair and sat, his bad leg stretched out before him. "Because ye're daein' it again. Seein' enemies everywhere. Barricadin' yerself behind walls and guards and plans. Pushin' everyone away."

"There are enemies everywhere." David's jaw tightened. "Or did ye miss the part where five of Langley's men infiltrated me castle?"

"I didnae miss it. But there's a difference between bein' cautious and bein' paranoid."

"I'm nae paranoid. I'm realistic."

"Ye're afraid." Euan's voice was gentle. "And I understand that. What happened yesterday was terrifyin’. But ye cannae let fear control ye."

"I'm nae afraid." But even as he said it, David knew it was a lie. He was afraid. Terrified, actually. Of what might have happened if he'd been a second slower. If his aim had been off.

He shoved the thought away.

"Ye are," Euan said quietly. "And there's nay shame in that. She's yer wife. Ye care about her. Of course ye're afraid of losin' her."

"I dinnae—" David stopped. Started again. "This isnae about carin'. It's about responsibility. She's under me protection. It's me duty tae keep her safe."

"Is that all it is?" Euan's eyes were knowing. "Duty?"

David didn't answer. Couldn't answer.

Because no, it wasn't just duty. Somewhere between the auction and their kiss, Elinor had stopped being a problem to solve or a bride to protect. She'd become something more.

Something that scared him even more than Langley's assassins.

"Ye're daein' it again," Euan said. "Shuttin' down. Pullin' away. Buildin' walls between ye and everyone else."

"That's nae what I'm daein'."