The Knight (Highland Guard #7.5)(20)

“Do you have need of something, my lady?”

His voice was deep and strong like the rest of him. Though not exactly unfriendly, neither was it friendly.

“I…” Her pulse raced nervously. “I’m looking for someone.”

“Now is not a good time, lass. Perhaps you should return in a few hours.”

“But I—”

“Jo, what are you doing here?”

Joanna sighed with relief at the familiar sound of James’s voice. But when she looked over her shoulder to see him approach, his expression was no more welcoming than the merciless-looking warrior’s—if anything, it was far less welcoming.

“I needed to see you.” Tears sprang unbidden to her eyes. “I saw the castle. What happened? You promised—”

“That will be enough, Boyd,” James said, cutting her off sharply and looking to the man who’d blocked her path. “I’ll take care of this from here.”

Boyd? Robbie Boyd? No wonder. The name of the terrifying warrior who’d once fought with William Wallace was well known around these parts. He was said to be the strongest man in Scotland. For once it seemed rumor could be believed.

“The men are ready to leave,” Boyd said.

Leave? She gasped. Her gaze shot to James, but he was looking at the other man.

“I know that,” James snapped. “This won’t take long.”

Boyd gave James a sharp nod that seemed to be some kind of silent communication. Whatever it signified, it caused James’s mouth turn white as the other man strode off.

James couldn’t be leaving, she told herself. He’d promised to speak with her.

He’d made a lot of promises, she thought, recalling his promise not to repeat the “larder” episode. Hadn’t she just seen the empty, burning shell of the castle a few minutes ago?

How little I matter to him. “You’re leaving?”

His jaw locked. “I’ve been called away.”

“You said… you promised to come find me.”

“I know what I said, but it will have to wait.” She flinched at the sharpness—the impatience—in his voice. She’d never felt as if she’d overstepped her bounds with him, but she did now. He didn’t want her here. She didn’t belong here. She was embarrassing him.

“You shouldn’t have come here, Jo. I will see you when I return.”

She shook her head and clutched his arm imploringly. She knew he was right, but panic welled up inside her. He couldn’t leave. She had to tell him. “No. Please. It is important.”

Vaguely Joanna was aware of the men around them who were pretending not to listen, but she paid them no heed as she awaited his reply. Somehow it felt that if she let him walk away now, it would be too late.

CHAPTER SIX

James was very conscious of the curious gazes upon them. What in Hades was she doing here? When he’d first come down the stairs and seen Jo with Raider, he had been so relieved, so happy to see her that he’d almost done something foolish and run to her, before he remembered that he was angry with her. Anger that only grew when he realized why she was here.

Obviously, she’d heard about the castle and assumed the worst. Her lack of faith in him stung. Joanna always believed in him. Sometimes even more than he deserved. Sometimes even more than he believed in himself. He counted on that belief.

She shouldn’t be here like this, upbraiding him before his men and making a scene. He should make that clear. But even angered and embarrassed, he couldn’t hurt her like that, even if it was deserved.

Ignoring the questioning stares of his men, he took her by the arm and pulled her toward the keep. After leading her up the stairs, he glanced in the hall and, seeing that it was still occupied by his mother, sister, and Randolph, he led her toward the stairwell that led to the upper floors. There wasn’t much room in the small landing area, and they could be seen by anyone watching from the Hall, but at least they were unlikely to be overheard.

He crossed his arms so he wouldn’t be tempted to wrap them around her and schooled his features into a blank mask. “What is it, Jo? What is so important that you must come here like this and drag me away from my men?”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Randolph take his leave from James’s mother and then his sister. He frowned, seeing the girlish blush that rose to Beth’s cheeks when Randolph took her hand and gave her a gallant bow.

“I heard that you’d taken the castle and—”

His gaze shifted back to Jo. “And you were worried that I’d broken my promise,” he finished for her. It was as he thought.

She nodded. “I saw the tower. How could you do that, James? How could you burn down your own home like that?”

He was so used to her understanding, it was strange when she didn’t. If she didn’t know how hard it had been on him, she didn’t know him at all. “I had no choice. You should know that. It’s the only way if we are to win this war.”

“But all those men.”

“I kept my promise to you, Jo, though I should never have given it. The garrison is on their way back to England right now.”

Her eyes widened. “They are?”

He nodded.

“Oh.”

He held her stare as she nibbled anxiously on her thumb. Normally he’d be tempted to wrap her in his arms and comfort her, but he was too angry—and conscious of the interested stare of Randolph, who’d unfortunately noticed them as he’d started to walk toward the entry stairs.