Page 76 of Edge of Yesterday

“A harmless old woman who predicted the storm four years ago that nearly destroyed Reay Abbey. I know what you are going to say,” she added. “And you do remember when she told you that Lady Beth had married John.”

“What would you have me to say, Julianna? That he is the same as you and I?”

“Aye, just like us, he is honest.”

The door came into view up ahead.

“Our mother will not be pleased with your infatuation with him.”

“I am a woman grown. I do no’ have ‘infatuations.’”

“You deny finding him attractive?”

She snorted. “I have eyes. The man is pleasing to look upon. I see the way you look at Rhona.”

“I have no intentions of marrying Rhona.”

“Lucky Rhona,” Julianna muttered.

He cast her a sidelong glance as they reached the door. She grasped the bolt, but he laid a hand on her arm. “Take heed, Julianna. I willnae allow him to touch you.”

Ire flared, but she understood her brother too well to let the anger influence her. They were as close as any sister and brother, except perhaps Abel and his sister who would’ve shared a bed in order to populate the earth. She understood her brother without the encumbrances of sex. Still, he peeved her.

“No’ that ye have any say in my affairs,” she said, “but why? He has risked his life for both of us several times in only four days. What is his crime?” She knew the answer, but wanted him to speak the words aloud. One day, soon, he would remember them, and understand why he was wrong.

“We know nothing of him,” he replied. “He is a lowly warrior; worse, a wanderer.” He met her gaze. “He isnae good enough for you.”

The latter statement managed to surprise her.

~*~

Julianna meandered from the henhouse toward the kitchen door, glad for the morning sun that warmed her face. Lennox wasn’t mistaken that she found Cailean attractive—after all, he knew her as well as she knew him—almost. Lennox had not been opposed to the match with Sir Lawren, until last night, that is. Sir Lawren’s attitude toward Lennox had angered him, and Lennox was unforgiving in such matters. In time, Lennox would see that Sir Lawren didn’t have Cailean’s courage or his kind heart. Guilt surfaced. Nae, she wasn’t being unfair. Sir Lawren existed in the world to…well, existed as most men did in his station in life. Cailean, however, did more than exist. He lived…he conquered.

Would he remain at Raghnall? Lennox was not ready to let him leave, and Julianna was in no hurry to press him to do so. But Lennox couldn’t hold him prisoner much longer. She knew when a man found her appealing, and Cailean clearly did. All she had to do was give him the opportunity to act upon his desire.

Perhaps tonight, after the evening meal—

“Lady Julianna,” called a familiar male voice.

She cringed. What was Sir Lawren doing here so early in the day?

He caught up with her and matched her pace. “I was hoping you would have time for a ride this morning.”

In truth, she did. How was she going to say no? “I do not usually ride in the morning.”

He smiled. “We have no’ had an opportunity to finish what we started the other day when your mother interrupted us.”

She almost rolled her eyes. Had she been so eager that night that he believed she lived to experience another private interlude with him? Were all men so ignorant?

“My mother reminded me that a lady remains chaste.”

“Surely you need not remain chaste with me,” he insisted.

This presumptuous attitude pricked her pride, and she said, “Why is that, Sir Lawren?” before she caught herself.

“You will be my wife,” he said, and she cursed her stupidity in asking a question that would force the issue.

“You have not asked me to marry you, which means I have not accepted.”