Page 80 of The Rogue’s Redemption

Allie laughed. “You sound very much like my sister now.”

Juliette raised a brow. “And she would be leading you to Reid’s bedchamber, would she?”

“Nay! Never that,” she admitted, the corners of her mouth lifting against their will.

As she fell in next to Juliette, Allie realized they were heading in the same direction as her guest room. “The east tower?”

Juliette gave her a knowing look. “You do not believe you are there by accident, do you?”

Allie hugged herself against the chilly night air. Soon it would turn from cool to cold, and her favorite season would arrive. Gillian had always found it strange that Allie preferred winter. But there was something invigorating about coming inside to a warm, roaring fire when the world outside was harsh and cold.

“I suppose not.” She turned to look at Juliette as they walked. “You are right, you know. If my sister were here, she would be walking me in the very opposite direction.”

Juliette frowned. “Despite his past transgressions, my brother-in-law is a good man who has lost his way. He would make a fine husband to you. If I did not believe that, I’d never have encouraged the match. Nor, do I believe, would Aidan.”

The same thought had occurred to Allie more than once.

“But I do understand your sister’s opposition to him. As your older sister, I can imagine she feels quite protective.”

“Quite.”

They’d arrived.

“But it does not matter what I think of him, or what your sister thinks of him. What matters,” Juliette said as she held out her hand for Allie to enter. Pushing the wooden door open, she stepped into the familiar entranceway. “Is how you feel.”

With that, Juliette turned to leave.

“But . . . I do not know where—”

Juliette’s smile was wicked. “Look no further than the chamber directly across from your own.”

Allie’s eyes widened. “But—”

And with a final wave, the lady of Brockburg Castle strode away.

Allie looked up the stairwell but did not move.

What matters is how you feel.

Sighing, she took the first step toward her destination.

* * *

The room was dark except for the faint glow of the fire, which had died out earlier. Reid had sent the maid away and let it turn to embers. He blew out the candles she’d lit and stared into the darkness.

He should have left Allie alone from the start.

She’d been talking and laughing with Juliette, so innocent and happy. Although mayhap not as innocent as when they met.

He frowned.

How could he have thought someone so honest and pure was good for him?

At first the sound was so faint he thought he’d imagined it. But when the knock grew louder, Reid knew who was on the other side. He stood and walked to the door.

“’Tis me,” Allie said from the other side. “Open the door.”

He placed his hand on the key still inside the lock. He could open it, pull her toward him and forget everything that happened that day. Instead, he stayed his hand and placed it on the door instead. God, she was so good.