Page 127 of Edge of Yesterday

He looked down at her. “Are ye all right?”

“Be gone,” she ordered with mock sternness.

He planted a quick, hard kiss on her mouth, then released her and strode from the kitchen with her brother and father. She stared at Cailean’s back until he disappeared, then realized the kitchen had grown quiet and the women—her mother included—were staring. The knowing glint in her mother’s eyes told her that she recognized that Julianna had fallen in love with her husband.

~*~

It felt strange to Julianna to sit between her brother and her husband during the evening meal. She twisted the linen napkin in her hand, as nervous as a new bride. Surely she wasn’t worried about sharing a bed with Cailean tonight?

Butterflies skittered across the insides of her stomach. God help her, that was exactly what she worried about. He’d continued to drink ale with dinner, but she would wager not as much as he’d drunk while at Heatheredge. Still, she half expected him to retire early to their bedchamber and fall asleep. Instead, when they finished the meal, he joined Lennox and Brodie at the hearth where they played chess. Half a dozen men stood around the table, engrossed in their game.

The others had left the table, leaving her alone with her mother and father. Usually, she would excuse herself and withdraw to her chambers to read or help her mother study the household rolls before retiring. Tonight, however, she felt uneasy about everyone knowing she would be waiting in bed for her husband.

“He is handling himself quite well,” her mother said.

Julianna agreed. He seemed completely at home.

Her father leaned back. “I like him. I have sent men to Cumyrnald to learn more about him.”

Julianna jerked her gaze from Cailean onto her father. “Ye just said you liked him.”

“Aye, but that doesnae mean we should no’ learn more about him. I am a good judge of character, but I can be wrong.” She frowned and he smiled gently. “I have no reason to think anything is amiss. It is just a precaution.”

What would she do if something proved wrong?

A stir at the great hall’s main entry broke the night’s peace and drew all eyes as two guards strode into the hall with Crowe and John Muir, the sheriff, between them.

“Dear Lord.” Julianna straightened.

Her father rose and Lennox looked over his shoulder at the approaching men. He stood and motioned for Cailean to come. Cailean pushed to his feet and they caught up with her father, meeting the men halfway across the hall. Her father directed them to a quiet corner and Julianna held her breath as she watched.

“Crowe must have information about the men who were killed last week.”

Julianna jumped at the sound of her mother’s voice.

Her mother knew? Of course, Julianna thought with frustration. The sheriff wouldn’t conduct a murder investigation without informing her father and, of course, her mother hadn’t said a word. Julianna would wager her mother knew that Cailean came into their lives the day the men died. Julianna considered confronting her, but decided against it. Her mother invariably came out the victor in any such clash, and Julianna didn’t want to lie to her. In truth, she was surprised her mother had agreed to the marriage. She too must have questions about Cailean.

Fear coiled in her belly. In truth, she, too, had questions.

Her father was shaking his head. Were they arguing? Crowe’s expression remained impassive. He’d worn that dagger again. She’d never seen him carry that blade before the night in the woods. Now it seemed he carried it everywhere. Julianna leaned forward, her gaze on her father. She could glean nothing from his expression. When he wished, he was a master at hiding his feelings. That was a skill Lennox had learned well, but she hadn’t. Cailean remained calm, and Julianna didn’t yet know him well enough to decide if he wasn’t angry or, like her father, adept at hiding his feelings.

Crowe shook his head, but was smiling now. Her father nodded and motioned toward her and her mother. The sheriff nodded and the men started forward, crossing the hall toward the high table.

“More ale and cider,” her mother ordered a nearby lad. “Wine, as well.”

The boy disappeared toward the kitchens as the men reached the table.

“Lady Ravenstone.” John Muir gave a slight bow.

“Lord Sheriff, it is good to see you,” she replied.

“My lady,” Crowe said, and also bowed. “Lady Julianna.” Crowe angled his head in her direction.

“Sir,” she replied.

“My congratulations, Lady Julianna,” the sheriff said.

“Thank ye,” she said.