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Callum’s scowl deepened. “What’s stopping him from relievin’ ye of yer new position?”
“Loyalty,” Evander said, after a moment’s silence. “He was loyal to me braither and wouldnae turn on me out of respect for his memory.”
“Can ye truly count on that, me Laird?”
“I have to.”
“That’s nae an answer.”
“It’s the only one I have.” Evander crossed his arms, jaw tight. “What would ye have me do, Callum? Challenge the man to prove himself before I’ve even unpacked me things? He’s kept this castle standing while I was off making a name as the Wolf. I owe him more patience than suspicion.”
“Ye owe yerself more caution than that.” Callum shook his head. “I just daenae want to see ye lose everything ye’ve built because ye trusted the wrong man again.”
Evander’s eyes narrowed. “Again?”
“Ye ken what I mean.”
“Nay, I daenae. Speak plainly, or daenae speak at all.”
Callum was quiet for a moment, his jaw working.
“Yer faither,” he finally said. “Ye trusted him too, once. Followed his orders, believed he had a reason for the things he did. Look how that ended.”
“That’s nae the same, and ye ken it.”
“Is it nae? A man who claims blood means something, who ye’re meant to trust because of it, and then he shows ye exactly what he is when it matters.” Callum’s voice had roughened. “I just daenae want ye caught unaware again, Evander. That’s all this is.”
Evander studied him for a long moment. “Noted,” he said. “Now, let it rest.”
Callum nodded and gathered up the maps without another word. At the door, he paused with one hand on the handle, as though there were something more he meant to say. Then he shook his head, gave Evander that easy, crooked grin of his, and was gone.
Evander sat alone in his brother’s study long after the candle had burned low. He turned Callum’s words over, the way he’d turn a stone in his palm, feeling for the crack.
Trusted the wrong man again.
He thought of Jack’s cold stare. Of his father’s sword. Of how a man rarely saw the blade until it was already in him.
16
Freya had written her sister a letter about their move to MacArthur Castle on the day they broke camp. Evander had promised he would have it delivered, and sure enough, a letter awaited her when they arrived.
Skye was surprised by the move but wished her well. Mostly, she was shocked to learn of the twins Freya and Evander suddenly found themselves caring for. She plainly asked Freya how she felt about caring for her temporary husband’s niece and nephew.
Freya didn’t know how to answer.
Kaden was furious about the news, demanding she come home, but she refused. Her brother knew how strong-willed she was, so he must’ve been in a panic when he thought to demand that she return to Muir Castle.
She could picture him now, pacing in his study, dictating some furious letter to a scribe with half his patience, certain that if he just used the right words, she’d come to her senses.
He didn’t understand, and she wasn’t sure how to make him understand that there was nothing left to come home to. Not really.
Skye had Dougal and their bairn, and Kaden and Emily had their own growing family filling every corner of Muir Castle. And where exactly did that leave her, the sister who’d sworn off marriage now unexpectedly, absurdly married after all?
It was work, that was obvious, but Freya was no stranger to looking after children. She had helped Emily and Kaden, giving them a much-needed break. Not that it was work taking care of her precious nieces and nephews.
She had spent the past ten years assuming she would never marry. Marriage wasn’t for her, and as a result, she’d never have a child of her own. She could content herself with looking after her sisters’ growing families. That would be enough, wouldn’t it?
But it hadn’t always been like that. She’d had a romantic heart once, set on heather garlands and whispered promises under the stars. When she had met the son of one of her father’s allies, she thought she had found the one. They had talked all night and danced. At the end, he had asked her to marry him.
