Fiona gave a small shrug. “She is,” she said.
Eloise nodded faintly.
I still have nae answers about Mairead. Could I ask James about her? But how can I ask him such a thing after he kissed me?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
James exhaled sharply, dragging a hand briefly across his face. “Fool,” he muttered under his breath as he rode across the fields.
Callum galloped beside him.
The land stretched wide and open, yet he felt caged by thoughts he could not outrun.
She returned the kiss. Why did she do such a thing? Does she mean to drive me to madness?
He pushed the horse faster than necessary, jaw tight, eyes fixed ahead as though distance alone might bring clarity. But it did not. Eloise lingered stubbornly, unyielding in memory, the feel of her, the fire in her defiance, the way she had answered his kiss without hesitation.
“Ye’ve near worn that horse thin for nay reason at all,” Callum shouted beside him.
James did not look at him. “I ride as I please,” he replied.
Callum smirked faintly. “Aye, and brood as ye please as well, it seems.”
James shot him a brief glance. “Say what ye mean, Callum.”
Callum shrugged one shoulder. “I think ye’re runnin’ from somethin’,” he said simply.
James let out a low breath. “There’s nothin’ to run from,” he said.
Callum raised a brow. “Aye? Then why do we ride as if we're being chased?”
James’s grip tightened slightly on the reins. “Because I’ve made a mistake,” he said bluntly.
Callum tilted his head. “The lass?” he asked.
James did not answer immediately. “The arrangement,” he corrected after a moment. “It was meant to be simple.”
Callum chuckled under his breath. “Nothin’ about that lass is simple,” he said.
James’s expression darkened slightly. “That’s exactly the problem,” he muttered.
Callum studied him for a moment. “She reminds me of someone,” he said thoughtfully.
James’s eyes flicked toward him. “Who?” he asked.
Callum hesitated only briefly. “Jenny,” he said.
James’s horse slowed abruptly as his head snapped toward Callum.
“Daenae,” he said sharply, his voice cutting.
Callum held his gaze, unflinching. “I mean it kindly,” he said. “The way she cares… even for small things. The way she works besides the household. It’s the same.”
James shook his head, anger flaring. “Daenae compare them,” he said. “Jenny is gone.” His voice dropped lower. “And I will nae fail another woman under me protection.” The words came firm, almost harsh.
Callum nodded slowly. “Aye,” he said. “And ye shouldnae.” He let a beat pass before adding, quieter now, “But protection and love are nae the same thing.”
James stilled at that, the words striking deeper than expected. “There is nae love here,” he said quickly.
