Page 24

In truth, those were Rhona’s words precisely.

“She left him.”

“Nay, she was ordered to marry another.”

“Ordered by yer brother. After Royce and Rhona had been betrothed.”

Ainsley winced. In truth, it was Broden’s one action as laird she could not agree with. Not only was it the cause of the feud between their clans, but ’twas not the honorable thing to do.

“Our father had died,” she began to explain.

“Stop.” She startled at the rare display of anger by her husband. “Ye can no’ excuse him.”

“He is my brother.”

“As Royce is mine.” Tor took a deep sip of his ale and then said, “The truce. We should honor it by no’ speaking of the betrothal.”

“Or yer clan’s accusations against mine?”

“Or our unwanted marriage,” he added.

“Or the kidnappings or many bloody disagreements between our clans.”

“Ach, for certain no’ that. Or the countless stolen cattle.”

“And sheep.”

“We will no’ speak of our clans,” Tor said.

“Mayhap . . .” Ainsley strained to see the bard, whose song rang out from the other side of the hall. It was well done, the tale one familiar to her. She looked back to Tor, who was watching her, his eyes almost hooded. If she’d been imagining her husband in a state of undress, he seemed to be doing the same to her now. Ainsley could not remember what she’d planned to say.

“Mayhap?”

She could not admit to forgetting their conversation and rushed to find a suitable topic. “Mayhap we should discuss our plans for Berwick.”

“I was hoping for a more interesting discussion.”

Ainsley took a bite of stew. It was, after that day’s meal, or lack of one, delicious. “Can ye think of one?”

“Aye. I will answer yer original question. I’ve no’ been with more women than any in my clan.” He drank deeply and then refilled his mug.

“Nay?”

“Nay.”

Pleased to hear it, Ainsley continued her meal, waiting for him to tell her that he’d never been with a woman before and had waited his entire life for a woman such as she. Ainsley smiled at the silly thought, and in response, her husband returned it. How had she not noticed the small depressions on each side of his mouth when he did that? They made him appear younger, more boyish. Ainsley wished to reach out and touch them.

“I’ve one cousin who has been with more women than me. Although, he did marry two summers ago, so I may have overtaken him.”

She shook her head. “Incorrigible.”

“Ye dinnae believe me?”

“It matters no’.”

“Nay?”

“Nay.”