The Viper (Highland Guard #4)(36)

It was like a slap in the face. There was no noble purpose hiding under his mercenary facade. He’d never pretended differently; why should she try to make him into something he wasn’t? She knew why: to find an excuse for this illogical attraction to him.

Feeling foolish and not a little angry with herself, Bella left the Hall. If she was walking a little fast, it was because there was so much to do before they left. She wasn’t fleeing. And if her eyes were blinking a little too rapidly, it was because they were burning from the dry air of the peat fires.

What the hell was wrong with her? Why had she fled the Hall as if the devil were nipping at her heels?

Lachlan followed her out the door and into the courtyard. “Countess!”

He knew she heard him when she flinched, but she didn’t stop. He caught up to her and grabbed her arm. “Damn it, what’s the matter with you?”

In the torchlight, her eyes shimmered. “Nothing.” She tried to jerk away. “Let go of me.”

He dropped her arm, surprised by the coldness of her voice.

“Was there something you wanted?” she said tonelessly, not looking at him.

He frowned, confused. “You should be more careful with your ankle. You were walking too hard and too fast.”

Hell, he sounded like a nursemaid. The lass was making him daft.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Damn it, Bella. What’s the matter? Why are you so angry? Is it about Norway? We can’t stay here. Surely you see that? It’s the king’s orders,” he reminded her. It hadn’t escaped his notice what had persuaded her before. “It’s what Robert wishes,” the queen had said. It was clear Bruce held great power over her. The question that kept grating on him was why.

“And how much is our safety worth?”

He jerked back at the scorn in her tone. “What are you talking about?”

“I saw Nigel give you the bag of coin. I don’t know why it surprises me. You would probably sell your mother if the price was high enough.”

He stilled; every muscle in his body went hard. Slowly, he forced himself to relax. A smile curled his mouth. “She wouldn’t have been worth much.”

Bella gasped in shock. “How can you say something so horrible?”

He shrugged indifferently. “It’s the truth.”

She studied him in silence for a moment. He knew she’d sensed there was more to the story when she asked, “Who was she?”

“A Welsh princess my father caught sight of on one of his raids and decided to take, in keeping with my Norse ancestors’ penchant to take thralls.” He didn’t waste time on bitterness. The past was the past; it couldn’t be changed.

“What happened to her?”

He held her gaze, deciding to tell her the truth. No matter how ugly. “She killed herself after my youngest brother was born rather than bear more bastards.”

The petite, beautiful woman who’d once been a princess had hated the sight of them. Servants had raised him and his brothers.

She put her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry.”

He was long past the point of compassion, but he accepted the gesture with a nod.

A sharp bark of laughter rose in his throat. “She won in the end, though.” The countess’s brows furrowed together over her nose. He answered the silent question. “She died cursing my father, and her curses came true.”

She hesitated. “What did she say?”

“She vowed that he would have no more sons. He didn’t. Leaving one of the most ancient kingdoms in the Western Isles without a legitimate male heir.”

“Your sister might have inherited the land, but you could still have been chieftain.” He didn’t say anything. “Why have you turned your back on your clan?”

They were better off. He smiled, unable to resist. “It’s more lucrative escorting countesses.”

Her mouth tightened a little, but his words didn’t prick as much as he intended.

It shouldn’t bother him that she’d jumped to the conclusion she had about the money. Usually it was warranted. He wasn’t ashamed of what he did. And he sure as hell didn’t explain his motives to anyone. But her scorn bothered him, damn it. For the first time in a long time, someone’s opinion mattered.

And he sure as hell didn’t like it.

“Did you take a message to my daughter?”

The quick change of subject disarmed him. It took him an instant too long to respond. “What are you talking about?”

His annoyance didn’t put her off. He must be losing his touch.

“Someone took a message to my daughter. Was it you?”

He held her gaze in the moonlight, looking for something he didn’t expect to find. “Does it matter?”

She didn’t answer right away. “I think it does.”

Lachlan felt himself pulled by the strange emotion he saw in her eyes. Curiosity. Attraction. And most dangerous and tempting of all: possibility.

He could almost believe she meant it.

His gaze dropped to her mouth. He leaned closer. Her lips parted instinctively at his movement. He smothered an oath. Knowledge surged inside him, hot, primitive, and raw. He could kiss her. And God, he wanted to! Wanted it so badly it scared him. Christ, he could almost taste her on his lips.