Cam nodded in understanding. “I was wondering why ye were here.”
“Now you know.”
“Now I do.”
“And you? Why are you here?”
Cam’s defenses went up immediately, a natural response to anyone asking about his past or his motivation for coming to The Cal. But over the past two weeks, he and Galan had become good friends. He’d finally made a friend and had no regrets.
Now, out here in the middle of the arena, Galan had asked a question with no easy answer. But Cam trusted the man. Perhaps there would be no harm in telling him. Perhaps there was a part of him that needed to confide in his new friend.
“I came here because I want tae learn tae kill,” he said simply. “My grandfather was murdered. I want tae punish those responsible.”
It was clear that Galan hadn’t been expecting that answer. His expression turned serious and he closed the gap between them so their conversation couldn’t be overheard.
“Is that true?” he asked quietly. “God’s Bones, Cam… I did not mean to pry. I thought it was something much simpler.”
Cam smiled, a lopsided gesture. “Ye dinna pry,” he said. “If I dinna want tae tell ye, I wouldna have done it. But ye asked… and it is the truth.”
“Aye, but it was a question I should not have asked. I see that now.”
“I asked ye the same question. There was no harm in ye asking in return. But now ye know.”
Galan put a hand on Cam’s shoulder in sympathy. “Then I am sorry for you. No man should have to suffer through the death of his family. Murdered, you say? That makes me want to seek revenge on your behalf. You are a good man, Cam. You did not deserve what happened.”
That was something Cam needed to hear. Galan had proven himself to be good company, thoughtful, and humorous much of the time. Cam had never really needed a friend, or so he thought, but he was coming to feel a connection with Galan.
Milo suddenly appeared out of nowhere, coming up between them and pushing the pair apart.
“That is enough lovemaking, ladies,” he said in a way that made the men smile. “We are practicing disarming an enemy. Cam, you have been using a good maneuver on Galan. Let me see it again.”
Cam genuinely liked Milo. He insulted them, was demanding of them, but not belittling. He was out to strengthen men, not beat them down. Therefore, his men worked hard for him, Cam included. He did as he was commanded, disarming Galan three more times before the tables were turned and Galan used the same maneuver on him. When Milo finally called a break so the men could have a few moments of rest and share some water, Cam headed for the lists and for Isadora.
“Well?” he called out as he came near her. “Was I better today?”
Isadora smiled broadly. “Much better,” she said. “Ye’ve improved a great deal since I’ve been here.”
Cam was grinning, leaning against the chest-high wall that surrounded the arena floor. “Thanks tae ye,” he said softly, his gaze raking over her affectionately. “Ye’ve helped me more than ye know. Will I see ye again tonight?”
Her cheeks flushed at the question. Every night since her arrival, she’d come to Cam in the darkness and they’d spent the time talking, or kissing, or simply holding one another. It had been a time of discovery and passion, and Cam’s feelings for Isadora had deepened by the hour. He hadn’t made love to her yet, however, and not because he didn’t want to. It was his time to come to know her better than he’d ever known anyone in his life and, to be truthful, he’d never made love to a woman, so it was new territory for him. It was a big step and he didn’t want to ruin what they were building by acting on impulsive lust. The lovemaking would come when the time was right, for them both.
But he had to admit, it was growing increasingly difficult to resist.
He was deeply, madly, and helplessly in love with the woman, but that was also part of the problem. He was in deep with someone he suspected could quite possibly be part of the clan behind the burning of Netherton.
Oh, he’d known it from the start. He wasn’t naïve about it. He’d told his grandfather once that he didn’t care what clan the woman was from so long as her heart was pure, but after the devastation on Netherton, that had changed.
He cared very much.
Perhaps he needed to know the truth before he became more deeply entrenched in something that was already consuming him.
Perhaps it was already too late.
“I’ll be there,” Isadora said quietly, cutting into his thoughts. “I think my brothers are becoming suspicious, though. I think Ewan tried tae follow me last night.”
Cam grunted. “Let him show up at my cottage. He’ll not like my reaction.”
Isadora grinned. “There was a time when Ewan could best ye.”
