Page 94 of The Rogue’s Redemption

And she had changed him.

She’d made him desire the elders’ respect, his brothers’ respect, but they did not trust him. Their mistrust hurt. Weighed on him even now, though not as much as the knowledge that he had sent away the one person who believed in him.

“Your brother has been looking for you.”

Reid handed the reins to a groom and greeted Father Simon. “Good day, Father.” No doubt he had something to say about Reid’s behavior of late, some bit of censure Reid was in no mood to hear. He clenched his teeth and added, “If you are going to lecture me, then do so and be done with it.”

“Lecture? Have you known me to do such a thing?” the priest teased. Then, perhaps noticing the look in Reid’s eyes, he added, “No lecture today, but I pray that you will act before it is too late.”

With those ominous words, Father Simon began to walk away, leaving Reid to wonder what he meant by that. Too late? For what?

Wasn’t it already too late?

Reid was about to let the comment go, but curiosity took hold and would not release him. Following the priest, who walked in the opposite direction of the training yard, he called out, “Too late for what?”

Father Simon stopped. He looked toward the gatehouse, where Reid had just entered, and then back at him.

“I spoke of Lady Allie.”

Reid froze.

“She’s back at Highgate,” he said, confused.

She was not. Reid could sense his mistake from Father Simon’s confused expression. But he kept looking just beyond the gatehouse as if . . .

“Did she just leave?”

Father Simon frowned. “I am surprised you did not see her on your return.”

Could it be true? If she’d just left, that meant she had not gone back the day before. She’d actually stayed after he so viciously shut her out. Why?

For you, you arse.

Nay, he was not just an arse. The most ignorant bloody fool in the entire country.

Despite everything, she’d stayed. She’d likely waited for him earlier in the day. Maybe she’d even attempted to find him and speak with him while he was gallivanting about, foolishly attempting to distract himself.

Father Simon was right. It likely was too late, but damned if he would let her go, again, without finding out for himself.

32

Allie let the steady gait of her horse lull her into a daze, the landscape a blurry backdrop.

Her knock on Reid’s door had gone unanswered. He was gone, and no one knew where, let alone when he would return. Allie had been left in a fit of confusion. What was she to do? Succumb to her sister’s pleas? Or should she follow her heart, which told her to accept Juliette’s offer to stay and fight for the man she loved. The man who loved her, but not himself.

Ultimately, she’d felt she had little choice but to leave. If he would not fight for her, for himself, then she could not do the fighting for both of them.

She supposed the notion of marrying for love was a fool’s quest. Gillian and Graeme did, indeed, love each other, but their marriage had been forced upon them, albeit by circumstances of their own making. Juliette . . . Sara . . . they were not the norm. A more typical marriage was that of her parents, two people who had come together at the behest of their families. Even so . . .

Allie’s sigh earned her a glance from her sister, who was riding next to her.

“I am sorry,” she said, not for the first time. “I want you to be happy. I did not want this.”

“I know you did not,” Allie said, though in truth she could not help wishing she were alone. She had no wish to talk with Gillian, or anyone.

Her sister must have sensed as much because she remained quiet long enough for Allie to remember every encounter she’d had with Reid. She smiled ruefully. Gillian’s opinion of him had been well-deserved in many ways.

“A smile?” Gillian prompted.