“When is he coming back?”
“When I clock twenty-one summers. We'd nae longer be able tae deny I am of age then. ‘Tis a day I most dread, the day I'd be obliged tae marry Griffin if Darach doesnae find a way out of the agreement before then.”
Jane could hear the little tinge of hope in Lorna's voice. She seemed to have faith and trust in her brother to make things better, which Jane could not share. She'd often heard women wag their tongues about how all men are unsalvageable and how they are all the same. Jane had started to believe it, but she didn’t say as much. For her sake, she wished hope was real. It was better that the lass had faith that it could all be resolved soon and in her favor.
“Darach kens a way tae break the agreement?”
Lorna cocked her head. “War is one way, but Darach would rather nae fight.”
“Because they are allies of the uprising and he'd rather nae make enemies of 'em?”
Lorna shook her head with a chuckle. “Nay. He doesnae want war because he hates violence, and he couldnae bear watching innocent people die for the foolishness of their leader. He once told me that it breaks him intae little pieces tae see people suffer.”
Jane was shocked. Lorna's words rang true. She wasn't lying, and she truly believed her brother despised war and the suffering it caused. There was no ringing in her ears, no indication of a lie. Lorna admired her brother greatly. Oh, but theman was a conundrum, the most complex being on God's green earth. He seemed to have a lot of redeemable qualities that she was discovering by the minute, many of which he hadn't really targeted at her.
Lorna now had a playful smile hanging off her lips. “I believe ye dinnae ken these things about him.”
Jane shook her head in response, and her reply only made her widen her smile even more.
“He's got multiple sides that ye are yet tae see. And I still believe yer meant tae experience something together.”
Jane started to shake her head, but Lorna raised a hand.
“Hear me out. He told me yesterday after our ride that ye are the most disobedient lass he'd ever had the misfortune tae meet.”
Jane frowned at the words. It was just like him to judge her so quickly. Her mind went to their previous argument earlier in the night and how it had ended.
“He cannae expect me tae obey his whims.”
She heard Lorna chuckle. “Nay, lass, ye might as well be sick whenever ye lack the panache tae look up. The truth is that I have never seen anyone get under my brother's skin like ye do. He might have affection for ye. ”
“I dinnae think so.”
Jane wondered if the lass had heard the hesitation in her voice. Her mind was immediately filled with the memories of how Darach's touch had felt earlier that night.
She shivered.
He'd made her feel things that she'd never felt before, and it had all happened because he'd seen her most hidden secret—her scar.
Sudden panic hit her. Darach Robertson had seen her scar. He should have been repulsed and recoiled in disgust at the sight. But his eyes had darkened with anger at the man who'd inflicted it on her.
Maybe he had done it because she was crying. Maybe he had done it out of pity. Maybe those million little sweet things she'd felt when he kissed and touched her were one-sided.
Either way, she couldn’t forget the feelings he’d awakened in her with his lips. She willed with all her might that both he and her father were safe out there, but she couldn’t manage to pray to be taken home just yet.
She winced as she realized she was thinking less and less ofDarach asher vicious abductor. She was getting to know the man and admiring him for his strength and love for his family, which she lacked in her own.
What she would have given for a strong brother like himto protect her and fight all her battles instead of being shunned and neglected for so many years. She closed her eyes. If Lorna only realized how fortunate she was to have not one, but two men who would defend her honor and interests.
“‘Tis good ye would be returning home soon, Jane. But I couldnae help but wonder...” Lorna frowned.
“Wonder what?”
“What could be if I could be like ye and choose the man I wanted,” she said.
Jane laughed at the irony that Lorna was being envious of her while she’d just been thinking about swapping positions with her. Lorna turned to offer her a frown of displeasure before she sniffed.
“‘Tis nae a laughing matter. I am most displeased that I have nae choice in this matter.”