Page 52 of The Rogue’s Redemption

“Or at least because you think you represent Clan Kerr better than I do.”

Alex clenched his own fists. Sometimes Reid wished his brother would strike out and hit him. In a strange way, he thought it would make him feel better. At least he’d know he wasn’t the only Kerr totally incapable of self-control.

“You go too far, brother.”

No, he hadn’t. Not yet.

“Go home, Alex. Go back to Dunmure Tower.”

Some of the fight went out of Alex, replaced with a very different emotion. He’d hurt his brother.

Good.

“Words spew from your mouth,” Alex ground out, “and you don’t care who you hurt with them.”

And his brother had said he was the one whose words sliced? “You are right,” he said, lowering his voice. “I don’t care.”

With that, he pushed past his brother and strode back toward the castle.

Allie and her sister stood just outside the door. They looked at him in mute shock, their eyes wide. So they’d heard it all.

“Allie—”

“No,” she said. “Not now.”

Gillian looked every bit as cold and judgmental as she always did when he was around.

He had to get out of there.

Rather than go inside, Reid turned back around, ignoring his brother, and walked away from Alex. Away from Gillian.

Away from Highgate End and the only woman who had ever looked at him with the kind of respect Allie did.

Until now.

16

“Don’t say it.”

After Reid and his brother left, Allie wanted to fall into the well in the center of the courtyard. Facing her sister after what they’d heard . . . it was nearly as difficult as watching Reid walk away without stopping him.

“I said nary a word.”

A servant opened the great wooden doors, and sounds from the revelry upstairs filtered down to them.

“You should get back—”

“Talk to me, Allie.”

You are right. I don’t care. Reid’s words still echoed in her ears.

“He was angry—”

“Nay, Allie. That’s who he is. Of all the men in Scotland, or England, you would choose one who acts that way?”

Allie didn’t know what to think. Deep inside, she knew Reid had spoken to Alex that way out of anger. And yet . . .

“You brought me here to speak to him.” Gillian took both of her hands. “And I came. But you will not convince me that my sister . . . my wonderful, adventurous, sweet sister . . . should wed a man who speaks in such a way to someone he loves.”