Highland Warrior (Campbell Trilogy #1)(109)

She believed in him. Completely. She knew that the Highlands were a better place with him. Loyalty to his cousin notwithstanding, Jamie would do what was right.

And it had taken Argyll’s trick to prove it. Was that what he’d intended? Her eyes narrowed on the most powerful—and despised—man in the Highlands. Trusting Jamie meant that she was forced to concede that Argyll was not the monster she believed. Jamie would not be loyal to such a man. Argyll must have some redeeming qualities—not that they were necessarily apparent at the moment.

Argyll was testing her. Did he not think her worthy of his prized cousin? Perhaps a few minutes ago he’d been right, but she would prove him wrong. “How unfortunate that I missed him,” she said breezily, as if her brother had been making a social call. “Do you expect him back soon?”

Argyll arched a wiry brow. She thought she detected a hint of approval in his gaze. “Jamie was to bring him here for my judgment; don’t you care to hear it?”

Caitrina gave him an icy sweet smile. “I’m sure Jamie will tell me all about it.”

“Tell you all about what?”

Caitrina’s heart skipped a beat, hearing her husband’s deep brogue behind her. She turned and took a step toward him, wanting to throw herself into his powerful arms and beg forgiveness for doubting him; but he stopped her cold.

“What the devil are you doing here, Caitrina?”

Her heart faltered, then crashed to her feet. Hope that he would be happy to see her was extinguished by the harsh greeting and the glacial expression on his face. He seemed to look right through her, as if she weren’t even there. As if he wanted nothing to do with her ever again.

Jamie couldn’t believe it when Will found him in the stables as he was preparing to leave and told him that Caitrina was here.

For a moment, he’d hoped that she had come after him to apologize—until Will told him she had insisted on seeing his cousin. Argyll, not him.

Knowing how much she despised his cousin—holding him partially to blame for what had happened at Ascog—Jamie realized the courage it had taken for her to confront him. He had to admire her determination to save her brother, even as her lack of faith in him was made more glaring.

Seeing her so soon was like salt on an open wound. She was so beautiful it almost hurt to look at her. But there was something different. . . . Then it hit him. The gown, the jewels, the hair. For the first time since the attack on Ascog, she had donned her finery. She looked like a princess again. Not a fairy princess, but a real one. A strong, confident woman who’d struggled and survived. Was it significant?

“It appears your new wife has come for a visit to see her brother,” Argyll said, taking up the slack in the conversation.

“I see,” Jamie said tightly, his instincts confirmed. Disappointment curdled in his stomach. He wanted to get the hell out of here and ride as far from her as possible.

“I told her she was too late,” Argyll said, giving him a meaningful glance. “That Niall was already gone.”

Jamie shot his cousin a look. Argyll obviously had wanted Caitrina to think Niall dead, but her face bore no signs of grief. He turned back to his cousin, giving no hint of his impatience. He knew his cousin well enough to know he would not be rushed. What game did he play?

“Naturally, I expected her to assume him dead.”

Jamie’s gaze flickered to Caitrina, but she betrayed no reaction to Argyll’s words. “Naturally,” Jamie said wryly, his cousin’s purpose having become suddenly clear to him. The betrayals of Argyll’s youth had left its mark on his cousin—loyalty was of utmost importance to him. Obviously, Caitrina’s sudden appearance had made him question hers. Jamie appreciated his cousin’s sentiment, but he could fight his own damn battles.

Argyll gave him a look that said he knew exactly what Jamie was thinking and thought he was doing a piss poor job of it.

Caitrina finally spoke. “But I didn’t believe him.”

Jamie felt a dim ray of hope and looked to his cousin for confirmation.

“She seems to have a rather high opinion of you.” Argyll’s expression changed to one of barely concealed annoyance. “And assumes I share that opinion.”

“I see,” Jamie repeated. The sudden show of faith was something, he supposed, but not enough—and too late. He hardened himself against the soft pleading in her eyes and looked away.

“I was about to explain my recent disappointment when you came in.” Argyll turned his attention back to Caitrina. “It seems my normally diligent captain made a careless mistake on his way to Dunoon.”

“He did?” Caitrina asked warily.

“Yes,” his cousin said. “It seems your brother slipped away when they stopped to water the horses. Jamie and his men gave chase, but he disappeared.” Argyll gave Jamie a sharp look. It was a look that said he knew exactly what Jamie had done but would never voice his suspicions—not when Jamie’s actions in effect had made it easier on him. Argyll would not be held accountable. There was only one person Colin would blame.

“Niall escaped?” She turned to Jamie, incredulity written on her face. He could see the questions form, but wisely she kept them to herself—for now, at least. “And the others?”

“Free to return to Rothesay,” Jamie said. “I was seeing to their release when you arrived.”