Page 63 of The Rogue’s Redemption

Walking away from Allie’s room last eve was the hardest thing he’d ever done, but now he’d have to leave her in truth.

“Lady Gillian, a word?”

He’d lingered for as long as possible. The border chiefs and their men had been riding away from Highgate all morning. Douglas had already left for Edinburgh and an audience with the king.

It was time for him to go too, to leave Highgate’s hall and return to Brockburg.

“I don’t believe we have anything to—”

“Please, my lady. Just one word.”

He saw Allie out of the corner of his eye. The look she gave him promised that she was, indeed, thinking of their night together. But there was also a sadness to her that he felt himself as keenly as any blow he’d received in battle. He promised himself he would find a way to be alone with her for one last moment before leaving.

“Very well,” she said, guiding him toward the circular stairwell that led to the ground floor. Her husband, Aidan, Allie . . . they all watched from the table on the dais.

“You do not like me,” he started.

Gillian’s frown looked so similar to Allie’s that it took him aback for a moment.

“That is not so,” she said. “I simply do not like you for my sister.” She looked hesitant to continue. “Whether you’re the man I first met at The Wild Boar or the one who Graeme, Aidan, and now Allie tell me is buried deep within, I do not know. But with my sister, I will not take unnecessary chances.”

“My lady,” he pleaded. “Allow me a chance to show you which man asks for your sister’s hand in marriage.” He took a deep breath, not ready for this. But after visiting Allie the evening before, he’d been thinking of nothing but her and the words he was about to utter. So he forged ahead. “The man you met thought little of himself. You see, he’d refused his chief’s call to stand next to him.” His gaze did not waver despite the irreversible words he would speak. “The one who stands before you now is worthy of that position. Is worthy to take his brother’s place. Is worthy of your sister’s love.” He rushed the words out before she could stop him. “With your permission, I will return to Brockburg, ensure my clan enforces the terms agreed upon here, and take my rightful place in Clan Kerr. And then I will marry your sister.”

Lady Gillian was as intimidating as any man he’d ever faced in any tournament or battle. In the end, he was determined to marry Allie, and neither Gillian or her husband would deter him, but he knew how much this woman’s approval meant to her.

“I would ask you one question.”

He knew that determined look, had seen it before. Mayhap the sisters had more in common than he’d thought. Reid fought a smile, knowing she would misunderstand.

“Why did you refuse your brother?”

Reid startled. She’d asked him the one question he could not easily answer.

“My lady.” He shook his head. “I do not—”

“You ask for the most precious gift in the world,” she said, more kindly than she’d spoken to him yet. “And despite my feelings for you, I find myself wavering.”

He took a deep breath and glanced up at the lingering guests in the hall, Allie among them. A tightness gripped his chest and refused to let go.

He looked back at Gillian.

Dammit.

“I did not believe the elders would agree.”

“And why would they not do so?”

Reid didn’t think she would appreciate a litany of his bad behaviors, so instead he settled for another hard truth. One unlikely to bring Lady Gillian to his side. “I did not deserve it.”

He could tell he’d managed to surprise her. Hell, he’d surprised himself. But the last thing he wanted to do was continue their conversation down such a path. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, my lady, I would like to say goodbye to your sister.”

After Gillian’s slight nod, he caught Allie’s eye. She came to him, and without another word, they walked away from all of the curious eyes and out into the courtyard.

It was too beautiful a day for this discussion.

A groom brought horse after horse out from the stables. It was yet another reminder that he was due to leave as well. Wanting a more private discussion, Reid led her to the side of the courtyard.

“If I could, I would tear that dress as I did last eve until you were gloriously naked in front of me.” Reid lowered his voice, the knave in him impatient. “And I would cherish your body, little by little, until no bit of flesh was left unworshiped.”