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“Aye, I apologize for that. I left in a hurry, and I didnae want anyone tae suspect that ye are here.”

“Why?” Lyndsay asked.

Douglas turned away from her. It was the one question that he hadn’t been able to answer. They had spoken about many things, more than she thought they would have when he first grabbed her in the field, but this one question had been beyond him.

“Why did you save me when you could have killed me? It’s the one thing I don’t understand, Douglas.”

“That’s because I dinnae understand it either,” he said after taking another long swig of whiskey. “I was nae supposed tae take prisoners, but then ye came along, and I… There’s something about ye that’s different. I wanted tae talk tae ye more before anything else happened, and now I…I find ye enchanting. I was beginning tae wonder if ye haed put a spell on me.”

Lyndsay couldn’t help but smile. “I can assure you that isn’t the case. But I don’t want to die, Douglas. I don’t want to burn.”

“Ye will nae burn. Neither will this place.”

“No? Then why is the sky lit up by flames?” Lyndsay asked.

“Because that is what my uncle wanted. He thought it would be another final message tae the English that we are ruthless. He wanted them tae look intae the night and see the final evidence of what happens when the Highlanders swear their vengeance. But I dinnae see the point in destroying estates that could be used.”

“I suppose a leader does have to think for himself,” she teased.

He said nothing in reply but simply stared into space. She decided to change the subject. If he was this intrigued by her, then she wanted to keep that curiosity going, for it might end up saving her life completely.

“Someone came by today. They hammered on the door and tried to open it, but they failed. Were they looking for me?”

Douglas didn’t seem surprised by the suggestion. “I hae nae told anyone about ye, but I know who it was. His name is Fergus.”

“And who is Fergus?”

Douglas cracked a smile at this, running his hand along the lower half of his face. “Fergus is my rival. He wants power as well, and he haes always wanted tae bring me down. No doubt he thought I was hiding something and wanted tae see what it is.”

“Well, I’m glad he didn’t come in. I dread to think what might have happened if he had.”

“Aye, me tae,” Douglas said.

“So this Fergus, why does he hate you so much?”

“Because he was an orphan, and he haes always been alone. He wants tae prove himself tae the clan and tae my uncle, but then I’m always there tae remind him that he is nae the best.”

“So he’s jealous?”

“Something like that. One day, he will try and kill me.”

“How can you just sit there and say that without any emotion on your face?” Lyndsay asked, staring at him in disbelief.

“It is the way of things. I am nae concerned. He will fail.”

“You seem awfully sure of that.”

“I watch myself carefully. Fergus is always quick tae boast about his strength, but he never enters a fight he knows he cannae win. He prefers tae strike from the shadows, and that is why he will fail. I will never stop watching him, and I will always be ready tae defend myself.”

“It’s nice that you can be so confident,” Lyndsay said bitterly. “And what about yourself? Do you enter fights you can’t win?”

“I enter fights that are worthy of fighting,” Douglas growled. “It doesnae matter who the opponent is. If the cause is just, then I will fight. It’s why I attacked the men who killed my parents.”

“That really affected you, didn’t it?” Lyndsay asked.

“Aye. It would affect anyone.”

“So what am I suppose to do now that my father has been killed? Should I end up like you, filled with hatred and ready to tear anything apart to get my revenge?”

Douglas looked at her directly. “I wouldnae want ye tae be anything like me, lass,” he said, and it struck her as the most honest thing he had said to her.