Page 35 of The Knight’s Reward

As though his mind had summoned her from the shadows, he watched as a slip of yellow crossed the courtyard toward the newcomers. He changed course and approached the scene, continuing to watch her. As the newcomers dismounted, Kathryn continued toward them.

At the speed she was walking, Kathryn would practically be on top of Bothwell in moments. The earl didn’t seem to notice her yet. But he would. Given his horrible reputation, there was no knowing how he’d react to such an approach. He was known to be a cold, hard man.

Neill began to run.

Reaching her before the earl or his men saw them, Neill grabbed her arm and continued to walk, right back to the same spot where they’d spoken moments before.

“Let go of me.” She tried to shrug her arm free.

“Not until you explain why you were poised to accost the Earl of Bothwell.”

“Accost?”

She managed to wrest her arm away from him, but she did not flee. They listened as the Scotsmen’s horses were led into the nearby stables.

“Do you deny you were walking, quite briskly I might add, toward his riding party?”

She glanced in the general direction of the newcomers, but with a building separating them from the newcomers, there was nothing to see but a dog barking at the activity.

“I wished to speak with him.”

Ignoring the scent of lavender, Neill pressed. “Bothwell? What could you possibly have to speak with him about? The man is a . . .”

No. Not him.

Kathryn’s eyes widened. “You don’t think? Bothwell and I?”

Her nose wrinkled, and Neill immediately felt like a fool for having considered such a match.

“You insult me, sir.” She was jesting, but the comment was not without some annoyance.

“And you have lied to me at every turn, Kathryn. So please, just this once. Tell me the truth. What were you planning to say to Bothwell?”

She crossed her arms and let out an exaggerated breath.

“I have to go.”

“To Bothwell? To the man you came here to meet? Kathryn, please, tell me the truth.”

She glanced up at him then, meeting his gaze, and said, “It may be too late already.” There was a look of regret in her eyes, but damned if she didn’t try to walk away again.

He should let her go.

He had no right to detain her.

And yet . . .

He grabbed her hand, just like he’d done at the Boar. This time, though, he made it clear why he’d done it.

Neill wanted to touch her. He wanted to be near her. He wanted to know what she hid from him and who she’d come here to see.

He’d seen the way she’d suffered for breath the other night. The glimmer of fear had danced in her eyes then, and he saw it again now.

“Are you afraid of me?”

She shook her head, still holding his hand.

He’d known the answer already but had needed to be sure.