The thought did not sit well as he lifted his hand and rapped his knuckles against the doorframe, before stepping inside.
Both women turned, and he could see a faint red hue bloom across Violet’s face.
“Lady MacBain,” he greeted. “Moore Castle is honored by yer arrival.”
Hannah faced him with a composed smile that did nothing to hide her assessment. She had Violet’s eyes in a steadier, sharper arrangement, and she looked at him as if title, height, and reputation were details rather than threats.
“Laird Moore,” she returned. “I thank ye for receiving me.”
“It is an honor that ye came early.”
“Me sister’s letter suggested haste might be wise.”
Connor understood the warning beneath the courtesy. He respected it more than if she had wasted her breath pretending she had come out of casual affection.
“Yer husband is welcome to come as well,” he offered.
“He will join us before the wedding,” Hannah said. “He has matters to attend to.”
“He will find his rooms ready.”
“Good. He is fond of predictability andlessfond of surprises.”
Violet made a small sound, almost a warning or a sigh.
Connor looked at her. That was a mistake.
She stood near the window in borrowed wool, her face still flushed from the reunion, her lips pressed into a thin line as if she were holding several truths behind them by force.
We must really get ye some new gowns.
For a moment, the sitting room, Hannah’s watchful presence, and the careful duties of host and guest faded away. He saw the grass at dawn. Her fingers caught in his shirt. The shock in her eyes after he lifted his mouth from hers.
Violet looked back at him for one beat too long.
Her sister noticed. Nothing about that was surprising.
Connor exhaled and broke the silence first. “I will leave ye to settle.”
Hannah nodded her head, the composed smile still on her face. “How considerate.”
Violet’s gaze flicked away as Connor turned and left before the room could pull anything more from him.
He walked down the passageway with guilt he refused to name and the memory of Violet’s quiet words following him.
“I didnae plan to.”
Hannah waited until Connor’s footsteps faded before she spoke.
“What exactly is going on?”
Violet turned back to the window, though there was no safety in looking out of it. The sitting room felt too small now that Connor had left it. His presence lingered in the charged silence, which Hannah had noticed too easily.
“I told ye,” Violet said.
Hannah’s eyebrows arched. “Ye told me enough to stop me from dragging ye out by yer wrist.”
“I appreciate the restraint.”
