Page 27 of Promised to the Forbidden Laird

Roy’s gaze moved toward the flames. “He kept the men awake on difficult marches. Sometimes with songs. Sometimes by arguing that the cook insulted MacNicol honor.”

Donaldina looked at him. “What had the cook done?”

“Burned the porridge.”

“That may have been an insult.”

“So Lachlan insisted.”

The music continued around them.

For a few moments, the guarded hall faded, replaced by a rain-soaked camp Donaldina had never seen and the brother she had known in another life. Roy had memories of him that did not belong to Dun Ard, memories formed in years Donaldina could reach only through another person’s telling.

She wanted them. The realization caught at her pride, but grief had little use for pride.

“Did he speak of home?” she asked.

Roy glanced at her. “Often.”

“What did he say?”

“That the western wind could strip the sense from a man’s skull. That the castle roof leaked above his chair in the council chamber and nae one had repaired it because they found his complaints entertaining.”

Donaldina looked down. “It did leak.”

“He also spoke of the cliffs. The fishing boats. The honey from yer hives.”

Her fingers tightened around the cup.

“And of ye,” Roy added.

Donaldina lifted her eyes. His face had grown more guarded, as though he regretted letting the conversation reach this point.

“What did he say of me?”

“That ye argued too much.”

Her mouth opened in surprise. Roy’s serious expression lingered for just a breath before a slight hint of amusement appeared.

Donaldina narrowed her eyes. “He would hardly have objected tae argument. He considered it a form of recreation.”

“Aye. He sounded proud.”

The sharp answer she had prepared dissolved. She looked toward the fire before Roy could see how deeply the words reached her.

“Lachlan believed I was more capable than others did,” she said.

“He was correct.”

Donaldina turned back to him. Roy had already reached for his cup, as though he had said nothing remarkable. “Ye have kent me for three days.”

“They have been eventful days.”

“That doesnae make ye an authority upon me character.”

“Nae. Watching ye lead armed men through a flooded tunnel and reclaim yer castle provided some evidence.”

A feeling of warmth spread under her skin, prompting Donaldina to drink to hide it. Roy observed her over the rim of his own cup.