Page 28 of The Rogue’s Redemption

“Do what?”

Allie raised her brows. “Attempt to make others dislike you so.”

“Others? You mean your sister? I can assure you, she disliked me well enough before today.”

“You don’t care?”

His mask was firmly in place once more. “Her opinions are her own.”

That was hardly an answer to her question.

They swayed to the music, back and forth across the newly replaced rushes. The great hall had never looked as spectacular as it did tonight, and even though the reason for the gathering was anything but joyous, Scots seemed to welcome any cause to eat, drink, and dance. It was one of the things she loved most about her new home.

“I was taken aback that you asked me to dance.”

When she looked up, Allie caught Reid gazing at her lips. It was the first time he’d looked at her like this since their afternoon in the dovecote.

“A moment of weakness,” he answered.

Allie pretended not to understand. “Weakness? A dance? Surely a man who can handle the longsword like you has very few weaknesses.”

Though she teased him, Reid did not smile. The tick in his jaw made her want to reach up and smooth it away, feel his skin beneath her fingertips.

“As it happens, I do.”

He spoke of her.

“Then why pretend otherwise these last two days?”

Much to their mother’s chagrin and their father’s disappointment, Allie had never excelled at playing the part of a compliant young lady. Everyone around her knew her thoughts nearly the same moment as she had them—and yet she had never said anything so bold before.

He spun her around, and unfortunately, Allie met her sister’s gaze when he did. Gillian was talking furiously to Graeme, and they were both watching them dance.

“My sister and Graeme are watching,” she whispered.

Reid did not look their way. Instead, he spun her once again, surprising her with his dancing skills. “The precise reason why I’ve ‘pretended otherwise,’ as you say.”

“I don’t believe you.”

The song was coming to an end much too soon.

“We’ve been alone on a few occasions—”

“Allie.” He spoke so softly she had to watch his lips to be sure he’d spoken. “You don’t understand. You don’t know me. I am—”

When he stopped, Allie finished for him. “More than you present to the world.”

His eyes widened, the mask dropping again. She’d managed to surprise him.

“Pardon me,” a voice cut in.

Aidan.

“If I may?”

The song had ended and another had begun. Aidan’s outstretched hand waited for her to take it, which of course she was forced to do. It didn’t matter that she was not ready.

“Of course,” Reid said, handing her over. “I trust in your ability to entertain the lady.”