Page 88 of The Laird’s Sinful Claim

"It's exactly what ye're daein'. It's what ye did after yer uncle exiled yer maither. After ye lost her." Euan's voice was heavy with old pain. "Ye closed yerself off. Stopped trustin'. Saw threats in every shadow. It took years fer ye tae come back from that, David. And I'll nae watch ye dae it again."

"This is different."

"Is it? Because from where I'm sittin', it looks exactly the same." Euan gestured toward the papers on the desk. "Ye're obsessin' over security. Barkin' orders at yer guards."

"Leave it, Euan."

"Nay. Because someone needs tae tell ye the truth." Euan leaned forward. "Ye can build all the walls ye want. Post all the guards. Lock down the entire castle. But none of that will matter if ye lose her in the process."

"I'm nae losin' her. I'm keepin' her safe."

"Safe and alone are nae the same thing." Euan's voice was gentle. "And if ye keep goin' down this path, ye'll wake up one day and realize ye've pushed away the one person who could actually help ye carry this burden."

David wanted to argue. Wanted to tell Euan he was wrong. That this was different. That he knew what he was doing.

But the words wouldn't come.

Because maybe Euan was right.

Maybe he was shutting down. Seeing threats everywhere. Building walls that would keep Elinor out as effectively as they kept danger away.

Euan stood, wincing as his leg protested. "Stop tryin' tae handle everythin' alone. Ye've got friends. Family. People who want tae help. Let them."

"And if that's nae enough? If Langley comes anyway?"

"Then we fight." Euan's smile was grim. "Taegether. Like we always have."

He left, his walking stick tapping against the stone floor. David remained at his desk, staring at the map without really seeing it.

Shuttin' down. Seein' enemies everywhere.

Was that what he was doing?

He thought about the previous night. About Elinor in his arms, kissing him like she meant it.

And then about how he'd left her alone to deal with his friends. How he'd spent all night obsessing over security instead of going back to her. How he'd been avoiding her this morning because he didn't know what to say.

Maybe he was beginning to push her away.

But he didn't know how to stop.

The breakfast table was unusually quiet.

Elinor sat at the high table, picking at her food while the Covenant brothers ate and made sporadic attempts at conversation.

But the usual warmth and camaraderie was absent. Everyone kept glancing at David, who sat at the head of the table looking like he hadn't slept in days.

Elinor had woken alone in their bed, the sheets on David's side cold. When she'd asked Ainsley where he was, the maid had said he'd been in his study all night.

Working on security, apparently.

Not sleeping. Not resting. Not coming back to their bed after what had happened between them.

"More bread, me lady?" Calum offered the basket with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"No, thank you." Elinor glanced at David again. He was staring at his plate, barely eating, his jaw tight with tension.

She wanted to ask if he was alright. Wanted to reach across the table and touch his hand, make him look at her.