Page 28 of The Laird’s Sinful Obsession

"Aye, it's the good stuff. From the cellar me grandfaither built." Lachlann took a long drink from his own cup. "Couldnae sleep?"

"Nay. Every time I close me eyes, I..." Alba trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence. Not wanting to admit that she kept seeing Torquil's face, kept feeling his dagger at her throat.

"I ken," Lachlann said quietly. "It takes time. After something like that."

"Daes it get easier?"

"Eventually. The memories fade a bit. Become less sharp." He stared into his wine. "I still sometimes dream about holdin’ me braither while he died. But it's nae every night anymore. Just... sometimes."

Alba's heart clenched at the pain in his voice. "I'm sorry. I didnae mean tae bring up somethin’ so sensitive."

"It's fine." He looked up at her, his grey eyes steady. "Ye asked an honest question. I gave ye an honest answer."

They sat in silence for a moment, both drinking their wine. Then they started talking about all kinds of things. Alba felt the warmth of it spreading through her chest, loosening the tight knot of anxiety that had been sitting there since dinner.

"This is strange," she said suddenly.

"What is?"

"This. Sittin’ here with ye. Talkin’ like..." She gestured vaguely between them. "Like we're friends instead of... whatever we're supposed tae be."

Lachlann's lips quirked. "What are we supposed to be?"

"I dinnae ken. Laird and guest? Braither's friend and younger sister?" Alba took another drink, feeling the wine making her tongue looser than it should be. "When I was younger, I used tae hate that ye and Calum were so close."

"Did ye?"

"Aye. Because it meant ye were always around, and I was always being told tae leave ye alone, tae stop followin’ ye about." She laughed, though there was a bitter edge to it. "I wanted tae be included so badly. Wanted tae train with ye, tae go on yer adventures, tae be part of the Covenant brotherhood even though I was just a lass."

"I remember." Lachlann's voice was soft. "Ye were fierce, even then. Ye used tae sneak intae our trainin’ sessions and try tae copy what we were doing."

Alba felt her cheeks heat. "Ye noticed that?"

"Of course I noticed. We all did." His smile widened slightly. "Calum used tae get so frustrated tryin’ tae keep ye away. Ye were determined."

"I was annoyin’."

"Ye were persistent. There's a difference."

Alba drained her cup and immediately regretted it as the room tilted slightly. She blinked, trying to focus. "How much wine did ye give me?"

"Same amount I gave meself." Lachlann's eyes danced with amusement. "Are ye telling me ye cannae hold yer wine, Lady MacKinnon?"

"I can hold me wine just fine," Alba said indignantly, even as she gripped the edge of the table for balance. "This is just... stronger than I'm used tae."

"Maybe ye should slow down, then."

"Maybe ye should mind yer own business."

Lachlann laughed and the sound made something flutter in Alba's chest. When was the last time she'd heard him laugh like that? When was the last time she'd made anyone laugh?

"I should probably tell ye somethin’," she said, the words coming out before she could stop them.

"Oh?"

"When I said I wanted tae be included? That I wanted tae be part of yer group?" Alba leaned forward, lowering her voice conspiratorially even though they were completely alone. "That wasnae the only reason I was always tryin’ tae follow ye around."

"Nay?" Lachlann leaned forward too, matching her posture. "What was the other reason?"