you in peace.”
“You’re no trouble, Abigail. We love having ye here with us, my brother especially.”
Abby swallowed the lump in her throat, having never felt more welcome or loved in a long time. The word love bounced around in her brain, and she frowned. Had she come to feel more than mere “like” toward Aedan MacLeod? The memory of his touch, his kiss, and sweet words whispered to her when alone told her more than anything that she had indeed left those feelings well behind.
“I will miss you both terribly. I know we didn’t start the best of friends, but I certainly do class you as one now.” Gwen pulled her into a hug and Abby returned the gesture. Tears welled in her eyes and she laughed as they pulled away, Gwen, too, wiping her cheeks.
“There aren’t any games tomorrow, will that be soon enough for ye?”
She nodded. “More than soon enough.”
Ben shook his head at the third sigh he’d counted coming from Gwen, seated beside him as they watched the last of the day’s games, a footrace between the clans. He cast her a curious glance and caught her eye. “Something troubling ye, lass? You seem to be sighing a lot.” She sighed again and he fought not to roll his eyes. “Out with it.”
“Abigail has asked to go home.”
“What?” Ben looked out to where Aedan stood talking to the delightful Abigail. She was a pretty lass, tall, nice shape, pleasing breasts…and by the way his friend gazed down on her, his carefree laugh ringing out across the field, Ben had the odd notion his friend had fallen in love.
Which wasn’t a bad thing. Far from it. The lad had to marry someone, and the women parading around in front of him only saw the man as someone to give them a privileged life, a comfortable home. Not a man who could be loved or give love. “Then I’m sorry for your brother. He’ll not take it well.”
“No, he won’t.” Gwen sniffed, and he noted her eyes had grown glassy.
“Are ye crying?” Ben shifted in his seat, hating to see a woman who had held his own heart for many years, become upset. Not that they would ever be anything but friends, though not for want of trying on his behalf. He’d tried and failed and now she was destined for another. “Can ye not talk her out of it? Do you know why she’s so determined to leave? I thought the lass was happy here.”
“So did I.” Gwen met his gaze, her lips pulled into a thin line. “I’m going to try and talk her out of it, but I doubt I’ll be successful. It’s like a twig has snapped in her mind and she no longer wants to be here.”
Ben nodded, frowning. “Aye, but why? That is something we should find out.” He looked about the many clans that were at Druiminn Castle. Well, he looked at one clan in particular. Kirk. They stood to the side of the field, their salacious gazes raking the women present, the men showing no concern as to the offense they caused.
“I’m sure if she was concerned about anything, she would’ve told me. I had hoped Aedan would make her his wife. They seem so well suited.”
“Aye, I canna disagree with ye there, lass, and we have until the morn to change Abigail’s mind. If I come across her in my travels, I’ll make sure to have a word or two.”
Gwen clasped his arm, smiling. Ben’s heart thumped loud behind his ribs. “You’d do that?”
“I’ll always be here for you and your clan, Gwen. And try not to worry, we’ll change Abigail’s mind.”
“Thank you, Ben. You’re too good to us.”
Chapter 15
Aedan cast another look toward his sister and Abigail and again, the two women were somber, both lost in their meals, not full of chatter like they usually were.
Something was wrong.
He took a sip of mead and leaned toward Abigail seated next to him; she smiled up at him, but the gesture didn’t fill her eyes. “What’s troubling ye, lass?”
She fidgeted with the sleeve of her gown. “Nothing. Why would anything be wrong?”
He raised his brows. “Tonight, something seems amiss.”
She laughed, the sound hollow and a spike of fear entered his gut. “Nothing. I assure you.”
“Abigail, I want the truth. Now.” She paled a little, meeting Gwen’s gaze before slumping back in her chair. “I think it is time that I return home. I found out today that it’s possible.”
The impact