Entrusted to a Highlander (Highland Promise Trilogy #2) - Donna Fletcher Page 0,95

ever so slowly around the door, positioning herself in the shadows next to it in case anyone barged out unexpectedly.

“It’s a huge buildup of warriors,” Royden said. “I tell you he’s planning something.”

“And you’re sure of this news?” Arran asked.

“I’ve made sure to keep watch on Clan Learmonth. After seeing the advantage the area holds, I knew it couldn’t be ignored.”

“The views,” Arran said, recalling to memory of visiting the place with his father.

“It’s astounding how far you can see in the distance. Nothing can approach that keep without being seen from a distance. It will never suffer a surprise attack,” Royden said enviously.

“Yet troops amass there,” Arran said. “Wolf released us, at a price, and our warriors he had taken captive. Why do that, then turn around and attack us again? I don’t think he’s that foolish.”

“Then why amass his warriors?” Royden asked.

Purity mouthed the same word her husband spoke.

“Brynjar,” Arran said. “The man never goes anywhere unprepared. Wolf is taking no chances.”

Silence followed for a moment and Purity knew Royden was giving Arran’s words thought.

“But Brynjar has few men. There is no way he can attack anyone and expect to claim victory,” Royden said.

“Maybe it isn’t victory he’s looking for,” Arran suggested. “Maybe he only wants his anger and power made known.”

“He killed two men and now the chieftain. Isn’t that enough for him?”

“That is what has been troubling me,” Arran complained. “Why hasn’t he claimed those kills? Brynjar purposely has boasted about everything he has done. He wants tales told about him. He wants his name to instill fear in people. So why hasn’t he claimed these kills?”

“I hadn’t thought of that,” Royden said.

I have, thought Purity.

“It’s a thought that has nagged at me and Purity has suggested the same. I dismissed it, but it won’t leave my thoughts. What if we’re looking at the wrong person for these murders?”

“If not Brynjar, then who?” Royden asked.

Purity was not good at hiding or sneaking. She was a grown woman not a child listening in on adult conversation. She rounded the solar door and entered the room. “Someone who wants something that he feels belongs to him.”

“I thought the mention of your name might stop you from lurking outside the door,” Arran said with a quirk of a smile.

Purity turned a scowl on him. “You did not know I was there.”

“Your footfalls are light, I will give you that, but my ears are alert to all sounds even the slightest ones,” Arran said and chuckled. “Of course, it did help that your lovely fresh scent drifted in through the open door.”

Purity walked over to where he stood by the hearth and reached out to swat him in the arm only to be grabbed by her wrist before she reached him and swung around to land against her husband in a tight embrace.

“It’s been too long since I’ve held you close,” he said in a whisper that sent a tingle racing through her.

“It’s been too long for many things,” she murmured.

“Of which I will remedy tonight.”

“You both know I can hear you, right?” Royden asked with a laugh. “So let’s be done with this discussion so you both can try to catch up with Oria and me in making bairns.” He laughed again. “You know I’m going to have more bairns than you, don’t you, Arran?”

“I wouldn’t count on that. Perhaps my wife will deliver two to your one,” Arran challenged.

That had Purity turning wide eyes on her husband. “If that is what you intend, then I would suggest you attend to your husbandly duties more often.”

Her blunt remark and Arran’s shocked expression had Royden bursting out in hardy laughter. “You’ve met your match,” he managed to say through his laughter.

“And then some,” Arran agreed and pressed his lips next to her ear as if he was kissing her, but whispered, “You’ll find how well I tend to my duties tonight.”

The glint in his dark eyes and his smug smile told her that his remark did exactly what he intended—it turned her wet.

“I’m going to make sure that passion stays in your eyes for the remainder of the day.” He kissed her cheek and kept her tucked close against him and looked to his brother. “Who else would feel he had lost something that belonged to him besides Brynjar?”

“Wolf,” Royden said. “The Clan Macara is lost to him with your marriage to Purity.”

It was what Royden didn’t say that doused Purity’s passion-filled stupor. “And if Wolf killed Arran then he