Page 37 of My Highland Bride

“Do this for yourself. Not for Cettina. Not for Edingham. They’ve both taken more of you than any man I know.”

I hold his gaze, understanding, although I’m unsure whether I’m capable of doing as he bids.

“Come outside with me,” I say instead.

And when I open the flap of the tent, I know Gille is right.

Though more simply dressed than last night, Reyne is no less elegant. She stands before us, chin held high, Warin on her arm.

Does he know what transpired?

“Good eve, Reyne. Warin. I expect you remember Sir Gille Elliot, and my squire, Bradyn.”

They file out of the tent, moving to one side of Reyne and her brother. She bows not to me but to Bradyn. “Sir Bradyn, if it pleases you.”

Her deference to him, which completely ignores their relative ranks, makes my squire inordinately happy. He beams and my heart warms toward her even more.

“He will earn his spurs before long,” I agree. “Will you join us, Warin?”

Although I hope he will say nay, it would be considered highly offensive if I refrained from asking.

“I leave that decision to my sister.”

Reyne gives him a look, and I know she has not told him she’s learned of the arrangement.

“Lord Stokerton was a gentleman last eve, and I would expect no less at supper.”

I would not be so sure of that, but I say not a word.

“Very well. Then I leave my sister to your care.”

Every single one of us present, save Bradyn, understands the unusual nature of such an arrangement.

“I will escort her back safely, as I did last eve.”

It was an easy feat given Reyne was not speaking with me by the time I left her at the tents.

“Any word?” he asks, and I know what he refers to, of course.

“Nay. But Gille will inform you of our strategy, if it pleases you.”

I offer my arm. “Reyne?”

She hesitates a moment before taking it.

I lift the flap and escort her inside.

“A modest supper, if it pleases you.”

“Oh!” Reyne exclaims as the candlelit table comes into view. “I should have expected as much. You are a Curia commander, of course.”

If she had come into the tent earlier this day, Reyne might have had a very different reaction. I will have to thank Gille and Bradyn, again, for their assistance.

When I pull the modest chair out for her to sit, and she does, I move to my own as I fill both our goblets, with her permission.

“I did not think you would come,” I admit.

“I wasn’t sure I should.”