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Brenda retreated into her room dumbfounded. She placed her fingers upon her burning lips. The fire in her heart and the twitch of arousal were the only evidence that he had kissed her. The night had been blissful, and she would have happily given herself to him if he had wanted her. For a moment, she thought he did. While she did not have that much experience with kisses, she couldn’t imagine that anyone could kiss that passionately without feeling something genuine in their heart. The sensation had traveled all the way down her body, curling her toes. Even now, her mind was swimming with pleasure, and she wasn’t quite sure how Douglas could have walked away without saying anything else.

In that moment, when their eyes met, she had been convinced that he was going to tell her some profound truth or declare his desire for her. His body had been rigid, and she could feel the tension coursing through him. His hands were placed upon her body in such a way that it wouldn’t have taken much for them to roam around her skin, exposing her flesh and spreading the fire until it consumed her completely. It was as though they were on the brink of a chasm, and it would have been so easy to fall into it together, but Douglas had walked away at the last moment, and she wasn’t sure why.

Why had he asked her about Erik when Erik should have been the furthest thing from their minds? She could barely believe that he had asked her something so unrelated to what they had experienced. Where were the sweet words? Where were the compliments extolling her beauty? Where was the promise of more?

There were moments when she could imagine falling in love with him and other moments when it seemed as though he didn’t care about her at all. It was so strange. One moment they were dancing happily, and the world was spinning; the next, it was barren and cold, and Douglas was little more than a stranger. She had been advised to be open about her feelings, but she wasn’t sure how much more open she could be. The kiss should have been enough to show him how much she wanted him, and indeed his kiss would have been enough as well if it wasn’t coupled with his other actions of retreat. She was willing to give him leeway considering all he had been through as a prisoner, but despite that, he was still a man, so what was holding him back?

The only thing she could surmise was that she wasn’t the kind of woman he imagined ending up with. She could imagine him sitting in his prison every night, dreaming of the day when he would be free. No doubt he would have fantasized about meeting a maiden as well, one who was soft and sweet and took care of him. Not some stubborn, rough, curt girl.

She stripped off her clothes and slipped into the bed. The moon was visible outside, and it seemed to weep for her. She clutched the blankets tightly as frustration coursed through her body, and then she was able to sleep.

Morning rose, and Brenda rose bright and early with it. Dawn’s fingers spread into the room and caressed her cheeks with their golden touch. She was still confused about the previous night and intended to speak to Douglas directly about what happened, for she couldn’t allow this to continue any longer. It was only going to be detrimental to her state of mind.

The rest of the clan was up and about early as well. She heard the braying of horses as they were being groomed and the lowing of cattle as they were being milked. Chickens clucked as eggs were being gathered, and already the village was blessed with the comforting aroma of bread being baked.

Brenda went to the laird’s house to fetch some breakfast, as she had been invited to, and found Douglas and Laird Bannerman there. His face lit up in a smile when he saw Brenda approach, but Brenda only had eyes for Douglas. She watched him carefully. There was a twitch of a smile that tugged at the corners of his lips when he saw her, but then a moment of shame, or perhaps it was regret? He averted his gaze and focused on what he was eating. Brenda clenched her jaw and was even more determined to speak to him when she had a chance.

“Morning, Brenda. Douglas and I were just speaking more about this terrible dispute that exists between the Hoffstads and us,” Lucas said.

“Have you come to any arrangement yet?” Brenda asked.

“I’m afraid that it’s nae easy,” Lucas replied.

“Would you mind if I spoke about it?” Brenda asked. Lucas gestured for her to continue with a hand. Brenda glanced at Douglas to see if he showed any sign of encouragement, but he remained quiet. “I’m not sure that you’re going to make any progress talking about it amongst yourself,” she continued. “It seems to me that you are adamant this land should be kept as yours because of tradition, while my cousin would like to expand in view of the future of the Highlands. I’m sure that you can both agree that the land is better used by one of you rather than sitting there going to waste, so perhaps you should sit down and talk with Erik to come to an agreement. Erik is a reasonable man, and you seem the same from what I know of you, so I don’t think it would be impossible for an arrangement to be struck.”

“It seems as though ye and Douglas here are of a similar mind. He suggested the same thing. In truth, I hae been wary of meeting Erik because I hear he can be very persuasive, sae much sae that he could convince a man tae give him the shirt off his back in the coldest winter. It’s important for a man tae know his limitations, see, and I would nae dare tae think myself the equal of a man like Erik Hoffstad. The way his clan haes expanded…ye know the Vikings hae always been spoken about in light of their strength. Aye, it’s a thing tae be revered, but they’re also smart”—he tapped the side of his head with his finger as he said this—“and ye cannae underestimate them. But I suppose I hae no choice than tae speak with Erik directly tae try and settle this matter.”

“I think it’s for the best, and for what it’s worth, I think that Erik’s reputation in this regard has been exaggerated. He is a fair man, and he will not try and take advantage of you, especially when he knows how important this matter is to you.”

“I am grateful for yer insight,” Lucas said, inclining his head.

“Brenda and I will return tae Erik and tell him of yer terms, then we’ll send a messenger back here with further details,” Douglas said.

“I’m glad that we can move forward in this matter. The last thing I want is tae be in conflict with the Hoffstads. They hae done sae much good for the area.” Lucas leaned back in his chair and entwined his fingers across his chest. “There was a time when this land was rife with bandits. I’m glad that I was nay more than a wee lad then. I cannae imagine what it must hae been like for people tae live in fear of what was gaeing tae happen, tae be at the mercy of bandits. Aye, it’s a terrible thing, but as much as I admire the Vikings, they hae tae understand that we cannae let gae of our traditions. As much as they hae made their home here, they are still guests. I hope that yer cousin will understand that.”

There was an undercurrent to his words that was almost threatening, and Brenda wondered if she should take offense. She merely smiled and nodded, though, hoping that she had made a misjudgment.

After this was agreed, Lucas finished breakfast quickly and left Douglas and Brenda alone. Tension rose in the air.

“Do you feel the same as him?” she asked, breaking the silence.

“What dae ye mean?”

“Do you wish that the Vikings had never come here?”

“How could ye ask that? I swore my sword tae Erik,” Douglas said, although Brenda could tell that he was hiding something.

“I ask because I can’t tell where your intentions or your affections lie. After last night, I thought my feelings were plain to you, but then you walked away. I need to ask you directly, Douglas—what are your feelings towards me? I can’t continue like this. Ever since I found you on the shore, there are moments when I think we are sharing something special, but then there are other moments when you pull away and seem as distant as Norway itself. I know I’m young and may not be what you thought of when you imagined meeting a woman upon your return, but it’s cruel of you to kiss me and dance with me the way you have been, only to then walk away as though I do not matter at all. I know you have been kept captive for a long time, but surely you must remember plain and simple manners. Either way, you have been hiding something from me, Douglas, and all I ask is that you’re honest with me,” she said. The words came out in a rushing breath, and she was proud of herself for maintaining her steady tone. Douglas pursed his lips and had a thoughtful look on his face.

“Aye, lass, ye are right. I hae been dishonest with ye, and I apologize for that. The truth is that I am in love with ye, but there are times when I hae forgotten what it’s like tae be a man. Two years away from the only world I’ve ever known haes been a long time. I’m sorry if ye hae been hurt by my actions. I dae care for ye, Brenda, deeply.”

His words made her heart soar. Her eyes filled with delight, and her smile widened. Her heart thrummed, and she scolded herself for being so silly that she might have denied these feelings she knew to be true. Of course, he loved her! No man could kiss like that without love providing a spark to his desire. However, Douglas was not finished. He reached across the table and clasped her hands. His touch was warm, and it was enough to remind her of the way he had pinned her against the wall the previous night, of how his hands had simmered with intent.

“I need ye tae trust me, though. There is something else I need tae tell ye, something that I hae been thinking about all through the night.”

“You can tell me anything,” Brenda said, and she didn’t care what it was because he loved her. Although her outer expression remained calm, inside, her heart was leaping for joy, and it was as though her emotions were storming around her mind in a grand parade. He looked troubled, but she didn’t care what his troubles were because she wanted to help him through them. He had suffered so much by himself, but that suffering was over because he was no longer alone.

Yet as it turned out, they weren’t alone either. As Douglas was about to speak and confide in her this secret, they heard footsteps and looked up to see Colby walking in with his serpent smile. He seemed to be amused by the sight of them so close together, and as soon as Colby appeared, Douglas withdrew his hand. Whatever his secret was, Brenda was certain that it had something to do with Colby. She scowled when she saw him, and the fine hairs on the back of her neck rose sharply. She glanced across the table to Douglas and saw a dull glaze over his eyes, the same dull glaze that had often torn him away from her in the midst of passion. Colby rested his foot on a bench and leaned over the table, cocking an eyebrow as though he was the only one in control here.