Page 72 of The Scot’s Secret

He leaned against the cold stone wall, two mugs in hand, content to watch the scene from afar. Once the cheers died down after the lord and lady of Kenshire made their unconventional exit from the hall, the trestle tables were moved to the sides of the room to make way for more dancers.

Alex barely registered the goings-on, his mind fixed on Clara. How had his feelings for her grown so strong in such a short period of time?

More importantly, what the hell was he going to do about it? What kind of life could he offer her living as a second son at Brockburg? Assuredly, it would be better than travelling from place to place as a squire, but he wanted more for her than that. He wanted to give her the life she deserved.

He would not claim Dunmure Tower. He wished to have nothing to do with the place.

And then she looked at him. He noticed the stolen glance because he’d not taken his eyes from her all eve. Who was his former squire? What secrets did she hide?

He would finally find out. . . tonight.

18

Though Emma’s chamber was just one floor above the great hall, Clara couldn’t hear any of the festivities below. The main keep had been constructed for defense, and the walls were thick. Though modifications had clearly been made over the years, the original intent of the winding stairs which she had just climbed were to prevent attackers from ascending to the second floor. The thick oak door she closed behind her was both ornate and purposeful, its iron lock meant as a last defense—which, according to Sara, had never been tested.

But tonight she left the door unlocked.

She sat on the edge of the bed, grateful for the fire that crackled in the stone hearth in the corner of the room. She had begged Emma to reclaim her bedchamber, but neither she nor Sara would hear of it. They’d insisted there were plenty of empty chambers for Emma. Though the lord and lady had retired earlier, she’d left Emma in the hall. Her new friend had insisted she would not retire until the musicians stopped playing.

“If there’s music,” she’d said, “there’s dancing. Sleep can wait.”

Clara had never met someone so full of life as the youngest Waryn, and she liked her immensely. But Alex’s departure from the hall had pulled her attention away from her conversation with her companion.

“You’re not thinking of going after him, are you?”

Emma’s tone had been merely curious, not accusatory.

“Heavens, no!”

It wasn’t quite a lie, for he would be coming to her.

“Oh Susanna,” Emma said, tsking softly. “Don’t deny that your head has been turned in Alex Kerr’s direction every time you thought no one noticed.”

“Was I so obvious?”

Emma stood on her tiptoes, stuck her neck in the air, and peered at the place where Alex had last stood in such an exaggerated fashion that Clara couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“I did no such thing.”

In answer, Emma pretended to peer around an invisible barrier, first to the right and then to the left. “Pardon me while I stare at that tapestry,” she said.

Clara placed her hands firmly on her hips. “But ’tis such a fine-looking tapestry,” she said.

The remembered laughter echoed in Clara’s ears now as she sat in silence, waiting.

She had Sara and Emma to thank for this night. And Alex as well, for it was he who had first encouraged her to discard her disguise. And even if this escape only lasted a few days, Clara would be able to hold onto these memories the next time she pinned her hair up and—

A quick knock and the door swung open.

Alex wore only his breeks and a linen shirt with its sleeves rolled up. He closed the door and moved toward her with long, purposeful strides. Without a word, Alex reached out to grab her hands, pulling her from the bed.

“I—”

He lowered his mouth to hers, covering her lips with his own. His tongue quickly followed, and Clara’s thoughts lost any semblance of coherence. She wrapped her arms around his waist and he pulled her closer, his hands settling gently on either side of her head.

When he pulled his head back, Clara felt the loss immediately.

“You are so beautiful.”