Page 11 of The Rogue’s Redemption

“Do you always believe you are the subject of conversation?” Her hands gestured in the air as she spoke. She may have been raised a proper English noblewoman, but she had a bit of spirit in her.

“No,” he said. “Though I could not help but notice your attention during the meal—or that your sister gave me some very unwelcoming glances.”

She lifted her chin. “You met her once before.”

“Aye,” he said. “Unaccountably, I don’t believe she likes me much.”

She smiled, and even though her lips had a mocking tilt, his hardened heart began to beat wildly.

“Finally, an astute observation.”

Reid crossed his arms. “I fear I am at a loss to explain her lack of warmth toward me.”

Again, that smile.

“Much as I am at a loss to explain how her husband believes you redeemable.”

He’d not have used that word, but Reid was surprised nonetheless. He would have imagined Graeme de Sowlis saw him much the same as most did . . . as Toren and Alex’s younger brother, and nothing more.

He pushed away from the wall so abruptly, Allie looked as if she would back away. But she did not. Reid took a step, and then another, toward her. The air between them sizzled, and Reid knew he was entering dangerous territory.

Caution, unfortunately, had never been one of his favored traits.

“I fear we should start over.” Reid was sure she would pull her hand away when he reached out to grab it, but again she surprised him. Her fingers, cool from the air yet smooth and soft, lay still in his own. He brought them to his lips and instantly cursed himself. His cock was rock-hard by the time he pressed his lips to her hand. The reaction he’d hoped to elicit was from her, not him.

With effort, he dropped her hand.

“I am Reid Kerr, brother to the chief of Clan Kerr, and honored to make your acquaintance.”

“You are?” She clearly did not trust him to behave.

Smart woman.

When she opened her full lips to speak again, Reid hoped she would challenge him. Curse him. Tell him to leave and never speak to her again. Anything but that, and he would be undone. He’d not expected himself to react this strongly to her.

And he didn’t like it. He would much rather be in control.

“My name is Lady Allie, daughter of John Bowman, Lord Lyndwood, and sister to the lady of Highgate End.”

He smiled. That was better.

“Regretfully, however, I am not honored to make your acquaintance.”

With that, she left.

Leaving Reid to laugh with none but the guards in the distance to hear the sound.

5

Reid allowed the raised voices around him to meld into one tedious drone. Although the official council would not be held for two more days, after the Lord Warden arrived, those already in attendance sat in their hosts’ solar doing what clan chiefs do best.

Arguing.

Though each of them was in attendance for the same purpose, to secure continued peace along the border, opinions on how to achieve such a goal varied widely. They only agreed on one point: the current climate could not continue. The recent increase in the number and severity of attacks along the border worried leaders on both sides of the divide. At least, those who were not using the instability to bribe their way to greater financial gain.

Until Douglas arrived, none of their talk mattered.

“Does Clan Kerr agree?”