Page 34

Avelina was not so naive as that. “I do not expect it.”

“Unusual for a—”

“A woman?”

“Aye.”

Avelina chose not to take offense. “Perhaps. But I am practical.” The sound of the riding party coming closer told Avelina they’d likely already been spotted here. Rushing down the stairs now would be of little use.

Neither of them moved. Avelina had surprised herself, and though she wanted to look away, she would not. Instead, she met Niall’s gaze, which she was unfortunately unable to decipher.

“I do not wish to be parted from you either,” he said finally. “And would very much like to know your kiss again.” Suddenly, Avelina did know his thoughts. Gone was the hardened look of a warrior, replaced by the very sensual one of a man. “And much more.”

“Niall,” a voice called from below.

They both looked down to the courtyard at the same time. ’Twas his brother who was now gesturing for him, or both of them, to join him.

With a sigh, Niall held out his hand, and Avelina took it, stepping down and relinquishing his hold only when forced to do so as she descended the stairs.

“Your presence is being requested in the hall,” Niall’s brother said with a look of disapproval. Avelina did not take offense.

She understood. Knew her own brother would do the same.

“Shall we?” Niall asked her as all three of them made their way through the busy courtyard toward the entrance of the hall.

Attempting to calm her rapidly beating heart, Avelina focused instead on the brother, who was looking up at the keep with a most curious expression.

“You seem troubled, my lord.”

“I’ve told my brother there is something. . . familiar about this keep,” Kieran said.

“Yet you’ve not been here before.”

“Nay,” he said, turning his attention to her. “I am certain. I’ve not.”

They were very different, the two men. Everything about the brother was darker—his hair, his eyes. . . all but his smile, which came easier than Niall’s.

By the time they entered the hall, the servants had begun to prepare for the evening meal. Avelina truly had not realized she and Niall had been together for so long. It seemed to her ’twas no time at all.

Her own brother sat just in front of the high table, where their host spoke to a serving maid. When the chieftain saw them enter the hall, he gestured for them to sit.

With her brother.

Niall balked, of course, stopping in his tracks. Neither did Avelina’s brother seem pleased, but they were guests here, and Tannochbrae was doing them a favor by investigating the matter of their cattle, so Avelina shot her brother a glare.

’Twas not often he heeded her, but at this moment, at least, he softened his expression.

“Come,” she whispered to Niall, “sit with me.”

At the foot of the table, a serving maid held out a bowl with lilac-scented water, which each of them, in turn, used to wash their hands. Then, sitting beside her brother, who spoke with a man Avelina had never seen before, she watched as Niall and his brother sat across from them, ignoring Ewan and speaking quietly to each other.

Eventually, however, the inevitable occurred. Her brother finished his conversation and focused on Niall. “The chieftain wishes to speak with us after the meal,” he said, his tone curt.

“Has he discovered anything of import?”

Her brother shrugged. “If he did, I do not know of it yet.”

Silence.