“What would ye have me do?” she asked.

“Believe in me,” Lachlan answered simply, his eyes locked onto hers. “Not because ye must, but because ye choose to.”

Ailis realized that her doubts had wounded him more than she had thought. His pride and honor were bound in the trust of those he held dear.

“Yer loyalty has never faltered,” Ailis conceded softly. “And I did ye a great disservice by questioning it without cause.”

Lachlan’s voice transformed into a gentle whisper. “We must focus on the future.” He reached toward her, hand outstretched. “Can I count on ye, Ailis? Will ye be able to believe in me now?”

Ailis grasped his hand, reassurance tingling through her. “Always,” she answered, thankful he was even asking after she’d wounded his pride.

He nodded slightly. “Tis time for sleep. Go to yer tent, and I’ll sleep outside it to guard ye.”

Ailis couldn’t believe he was still so concerned with her safety, but she was grateful. And she’d find some way to make it up to him that she’d not trusted him completely.