Page 37 (1/2)

"You put a stop to it, didn't you?" Connor asked

"Of course Just as soon as I found out what she was doing, I told her she had to wait and get permission from you I would mention one other matter I threatened to lock her in her chamber"

"Because of the chapel," Connor said with a nod

"Actually, no, it was another matter that caused me to use such a threat"

"How did our ?" Crispin asked

"She kneas bluffing She misses our laird, by the way, so much so, she is easily startled The least little soundmuch either I was so concerned, I took her to Lady Kincaid She assured ht She must have been correct because as soon as Sinclair arrived, she went to confession and seems much happier now I told her word had reached us that you would be hohtfall, and she was extremely pleased with the news"

"Did Jamie remove her stitches for her?"

"No, your wife took care of it on her own"

Connor nodded before changing the subject "I noticed you put Ewan back on the wall He was happy to alternate the duty with another so that he could work on his fighting skills," he reood reason"

"And that was?"

"I trusted Ewan not to be swayed by your wife She wanted to go to the lake"

"But you didn't let her"

"No, I didn't"

"And she tried to go anyway?" Crispin asked "Is that why you threatened to lock her away?"

Quinlan sighed "No, that wasn't it"

"Then what…" Connor lost his train of thought as soon as he reached the top of the path and saw his courtyard

There were deep holes everywhere He was so stunned by the desecration of his land his tenited

Unfortunately, the woman responsible was directly across the yard His wife The longer he stood there staring at her, the an to throb with the need to let out a roar Thankfully, he was able to suppress it by clenching his jaw tight and staring up at the sky

She didn't realize her husband was there, as her back was turned to hi against the wall, watching her pace They stood at attention the second they spotted their laird

They looked relieved to see him Connor fully understood why

Theto ache God help hiround, the more infuriated he became She didn't er in her hand

She didn't scream, but from the look on her face he knew she was about to He was taken aback by the fear he saw in her eyes Yet as soon as she realized he atching her, she let out a cry of joy, dropped her dagger, and ca peculiar," Quinlan remarked Connor nodded but kept silent as he watched his wife skirt her way around the obstacle course He expected her to stop as soon as she reached him and was therefore surprised when she threw herself into his arms and kissed the side of his neck

It was i them, yet Connor couldn't make hiht against hiranted

"I'ainst his ear

He gave her a squeeze and then let go of her She continued to hold on to him for several more seconds before she could make herself step back

"I have reed "You will explain everything this evening Go and wash your face now It's covered with my dirt"

Quinlan and Crispin both watched their laird with curiosity Connor's voice sounded strained, yet caler hidden froht that was admirable of hi his temper to take out on his weapon later when he trained with his soldiers

"Where are you going now?" she asked

"To the lake"

"I could go with you"

"No, you couldn't"

"But I…"

"Others will be there, Brenna"

"Could you please come with me inside for just a few reat hall"

"Can't it wait?"

"I suppose it could"

He waited for her to leave She waited for hi you will be busy"

He wondered how long he could hide his teht"

"Connor, are you happy to see ested just the opposite She bowed to him before she started back across the courtyard

"If it's dark when you coround is full of holes"

"I noticed," he called back

All three maintained their silence until Lady Brenna had turned the corner on her way to the kitchens

"She reer," Crispin reets her knife and is constantly checking toelse, though You're to be commended, Connor," he added "You didn't lose your te, Quinlan There are over twenty deep holes inhis order, he and Crispin returned to the stables to get fresh horses Connor hoped he could get over his anger before he saw his wife again He didn't want to upset her, which he thought was da to squeeze a chapel up against his keep

"She wanted to please me I must keep that in mind every time the word chapel is spoken in my presence"

"Laird?" Quinlan called out "Could you spare a moment of your time to speak to Father Sinclair before he returns to the Kincaids?"

Connor motioned to the priest to join him He spoke before Sinclair had a chance "Do you knohy my wife's afraid?"

"I cannot say"

"I was told she's been acting peculiar and that after she spoke to you, she was happy again Did she confide in you?"

Once again the priest gave him an unsatisfactory answer "I cannot say, Laird"