Page 40 of The Rogue’s Redemption

“Your maid said that you did not plan on attending the evening meal.”

Allie swallowed. The intensity in his gaze pulled her toward him, gripped her and refused to let go. “I do not.”

“Why?”

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “For taunting your sister that way.”

“Telling her you bedded a tavern maid, you mean?”

He winced.

“You know how I feel about my sister’s approval. Why would you say such a thing?”

“Because I was angry.”

“You cannot lash out every time someone makes you angry. Will you do that with me?”

Though she was clearly making him uncomfortable, Allie did not relent. “And how will you act when it does not work? When I refuse to be pushed away?”

Reid did not answer.

“We need to make this right.” Were they really having this conversation as she sat naked in a tub of water? At least the sheen on top hid her body.

“That’s why I am here, Allie. I should not have said what I did, but your sister . . .”

“Is proving stubborn,” she said. “But this afternoon changes nothing. We cannot begin our lives together in such a way.”

“I know.”

Allie could not have been more surprised. “You do?”

“Aye, lass. I understand the bond between siblings. And neither do I want our clans to have a reason to fight each other. We have enough enemies to the south without creating more from former allies.”

“What do you propose?”

Allie reached into the water below to look for the soap she’d dropped.

“I will speak to her—”

“Nay, that is not enough.” Where was that soap? She hesitated to move around more, lest she disturb the water and reveal all to Reid.

“What else can I do?” he asked.

“Honor her wishes,” she said, meeting his eyes. He was not going to like this, but Allie knew her sister. Though she could be quite docile and hesitant, a product of their parents’ tutelage, when it came to her, Gillian turned fiercely protective. Until recently, her sister had always obeyed their father in all things. Remain within the castle walls? Gillian did not stray. Marry an old man with a more-than-questionable reputation? Gillian obeyed.

But when she found Allie in the gardens one day crying, begging to go on an adventure—just one—Gillian had risked their father’s wrath to take her away from Lyndwood for the day. Despite his forbidding it, they rode well beyond the castle walls to the eastern edge of their property, a spot well-known by all for its beauty. And the moment she learned Allie had been betrothed to that same horrid man, Gillian had left Highgate End in haste in the hopes of stopping it.

If Gillian believed Reid Kerr was bad for her, she would do everything possible to ensure he stayed away. If not for the severity of the situation at the border, he would have likely already been asked to leave Highgate End. But thankfully, doing so would not allow Clan Kerr a voice in what would be a pivotal decision for border relations. Her sister was protective, not foolish.

There was only one way to get her blessing . . .

“Prove to her that you are a man of honor.”

“You ask me to honor her wishes . . . what are they?”

Ah, there it was. But the soap was slippery, and as soon as Allie gripped it, the little bar flew back out of her fingers. “That you stay away from me.”