Page 29

She could tell Gavin wanted to break protocol and stay for the conversation—and she suspected he would not go far when he nodded in parting and walked away.

“I came to speak to whomever is in charge here about the current troubles along the border. Had I known you were in residence, I would have come to speak to you, or your father, sooner.”

Clarissa began walking, leading them out of the corridor and toward the door from which he’d entered the hall. They needed to find somewhere more private. A challenge inside a manor house such as Sutworth.

“I regret to inform you that my father is not here,” she said, although nothing was less regrettable than that fact. “I am here alone,” she continued as they stopped in front of the wooden doors. Divided by a thin line of stone, the two doors stood side by side as if standing guard. Pushing the iron handle of the one on the right, Aidan led her into the small inner courtyard. Sutworth Manor had a much more compact design than Theffield. The manor house, inner courtyard, and outer courtyard were arranged in a straight line courtesy of the cliffs on three sides.

Though much of the manor’s activity occurred in the larger outer courtyard, Clarissa still did not yet feel safe from watchful eyes. She led him to an unusual feature she’d once inquired about as a young girl, the caponier. Though the roofed passageway had been built as an added fortification inside the ditch between the inner and outer walls, it had quickly been abandoned.

The guards stationed above them were sure to notice that she and Aidan had entered the caponier alone. But she would worry about that later, if necessary.

They did not speak again until they entered the abandoned passageway. The exit had been filled in with stone long ago, and the only light flowed in from the entrance above them.

“What are you doing here?” she finally asked.

She was sure her voice betrayed her.

Clarissa had never expected to see him again.

“I had to know you were safe.” His deep voice echoed against the cold stone walls. “Are you? Safe?”

“I don’t know.”

Clarissa explained what had happened since her arrival, still unable to believe he was at Sutworth. “But what of you? What if my father learns of your visit?”

Aidan shrugged. “Perhaps he will be grateful that Clan Scott is an ally to the people of Sutworth at such a time. I came, after all, to relay news from across the border.” He looked directly into her eyes. “Not to see you.”

Clarissa swallowed. “Of course.”

None knew of his escort. But his visit was still risky.

“Thank you for your concern—”

“I loved you, Clarissa.”

The words pierced her heart. Nothing he could have said would have surprised her more. She didn’t know how to respond.

Loved. Of course he did not love her still. Why would he? She’d betrayed him in the very worst way.

“I should not have come—”

She reached out without thinking as Aidan turned to leave. His hand in hers reminded her of their contact as they rode to Sutworth. Now, as then, it was much more than a simple touch. Heat shot through his hand to hers, pooling in her very core. She tried to block out the memory that refused to be denied. Clarissa remembered their kiss well. Remembered how it had made her feel.

“Do not go.”

She had no right to ask him to stay. It endangered them both. And yet, the thought of seeing him walk away again . . .

He did not pull his hand from her grasp. Instead, he parted his fingers until her own slipped into the cracks between them. When he closed them again, their hands entwined, Clarissa could hardly breathe.

Something had changed between them.

Had he forgiven her for leaving that day? Why else would he have returned? And why did he have to be so handsome? The light stubble along his cheek and jaw had grown in just a bit more, and Clarissa wanted desperately to feel it against her own cheek.

She wanted him to kiss her again.

“I am still married,” she blurted, his slow smile making her wish she’d not opened her mouth.

“I am aware.”