Page 68 of The Rogue’s Redemption

“Enough!”

Though Reid’s was voice raised, his ire was not. In fact, he almost enjoyed the teasing, as if his impending marriage were real. Until she was here, by his side, their plans for the future could still slip away like smoke through his fingers.

“Pardon, my lords.”

Their steward stood at the entrance to the solar, his stricken expression completely eradicating Reid’s smile.

“There’s been another attack. Your attention—”

He did not finish before Toren and Reid were out of their seats and into the corridor. The man hurried along with them, relating details about the attack just across on the southernmost edge of Kerr land. A farmer and his wife had been severely injured attempting to lay claim to what was rightfully his, even if the English reivers attempted to say otherwise about the cattle they’d stolen. Reid thought of Douglas, who’d likely already reached Edinburgh, and of the pact they had just made. He could see the chiefs’ resolute expressions as they agreed to attempt one last chance at peace.

And he knew, as sure as he could be about anything that involved the shared resolve of clans who warred as often with themselves as they did with the English, this time was different.

This time there would be no waiting. No additional chances. The confidence of the border chiefs had already been shaken to its core.

This time peace was not in jeopardy. It was over.

This time meant war.

22

“Whoa . . . enough.”

Panting, Allie let her sword fall to the side.

“Sorry,” she mumbled to Aidan, aware she’d stopped listening to him. Her sword had been swinging about wildly, as if on its own accord. Shoulders hunched, she dropped it.

“Talk to me,” he said, clasping her shoulder.

Aidan. Her friend, her family. When she’d asked him to resume her training, he’d immediately agreed. The prospect was the only thing that had kept her afloat after meeting with her father.

“I cannot—” She reached for the sword, but he stopped her.

“You can. And will. Allie?” He forced her to look at him. “What did your father say to you?”

“No.” She shook her head.

“Allie?” he asked, his tone firmer this time. Her brother-in-law refused to be dismissed.

“He asked that I return to England with him,” she mocked. “He would happily find her a wealthy husband to whom she could dutifully serve in a loveless marriage.”

“But you cannot . . . Reid?”

She made a face. “Well, of course I will not be going back.”

“What did he say when you told him?”

That was exactly the problem. “I haven’t told him yet. I told him that I needed time to think—”

“Time? Allie, you have no time. I heard him tell Graeme that he is returning on the morrow. I don’t believe he wishes to stay in Scotland any longer than necessary.”

“I know,” she said. “But I have to get Gillian on my side. Father will not be pleased, but he’ll be even less so if she shares her opinion of Reid with him.”

“Gillian may not like Reid, but I do not believe she’d prefer for you to return to England than to marry him.”

When Aidan stopped and looked over her shoulder, Allie said a silent prayer their intruder was not her father.

“My lady.”