“I see.” Katelyn’s voice came out barely more than a whisper, making Finn scowl. She showed little excitement at the idea of meeting her betrothed.
“Ah, Logan.” Lorna motioned to the brooding man as he entered the hall, a glower on his face. Finn resisted the urge to chuckle. The man had been out of sorts ever since their return. His sister had something to do with his dour mood, he suspected. “Will ye show Lady Katelyn around the keep and lands? I have a need to speak with Finn.”
Finn fought the desire to mimic Logan’s scowl as a dart of disappointment jabbed him. He wanted to show Katelyn around. In spite of himself, just being without Katelyn caused a strange ache in his chest. He’d already experienced it when she went to her chambers to wash and rest. Those few days traveling together—those few short days—reminded him of what it was like to have a woman for company. He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck and glanced at his sister’s all too serious expression. It was a reminder he did not need or want.
“If ye’ll come with me, my lady,” Logan dipped his head to Lorna before turning away.
“I thank ye. Good day to ye.” Katelyn curtseyed and turned to depart, but not before throwing a lingering glance at Finn. Wariness and uncertainty haunted those stunning eyes. Did the previous days’ events cause such a look or was it something more? He couldn’t help but wonder and wish he knew more.
“Will ye tell me more of what happened on Bute?”
Finn snapped his attention to Lorna. “I cannae tell ye much, save that the Norsemen succeeded in capturing the castle.”
“What of Katelyn’s father?”
“I wasnae there long enough to meet with the laird. My priority was Katelyn, as dictated by yer husband’s brother,” he responded stiffly. He would not have a lass tell him he hadn’t done his duty, sister or not.
“’Twill be a while until we hear word from Bute and of the outcome of the siege,” she mused.
“The king will send men over to take it back, will he not?”
“I know not. If the laird lives, he may be expected to fight the Norse himself.”
“If he lives.”
“Which is my concern. Katelyn has not only lost her home but may have lost her father too.”
“Ye show a great deal of interest in that woman, Lorna.”
“As do ye, brother.” She grinned slyly.
He ignored her remark and tried not to think on how right his sister was. “It will no’ be yer concern soon enough. Not when Gillean arrives.”
“Aye, that bothers me too.”
“Surely ‘tis no bad thing she has the security of such a marriage? If her father is dead, she has little now.”
“Do ye no’ see the hurt in her eyes?”
He let his shoulders drop. “Aye, I do.”
“A man like Gillean can do her no good. I know what causes that hurt, Finn. I know all too well,” she said softly.
“What say ye, sister? Ye speak in riddles.”
“I willnae speak on this more than necessary, ‘tis in the past and I know how ye shall react…”
This caused Finn to pause and grip her arm. “What do ye speak of, Lorna? Tell me now.”
She licked her lips. “Ye know my marriage was no’ a happy one.”
“I know he was not the most exciting of men. I regret ye were forced into such an alliance but I was assured he could keep ye safe.”
“Safe from many things, but no’ safe from him,” she said bitterly.
“What say ye? He hurt ye?” He grabbed her other arm and held both tightly. “Lorna, ye will tell me the truth.”
Lorna lowered her gaze. “Aye. He wasnae a good man.”
Finn dropped her arm, stung by her words. Why had he not seen his sister’s misery? He snorted inwardly. Because he was too taken up with the battles at Glencolum. Ach, and too taken up in his own grief. For all his fears of having a woman dependant on him, he had failed the one woman who should have been able to turn to him.
“Why did ye no’ say?” he asked gruffly.
“’Twas nae yer fight, Finn. ‘Tis no matter now, anyhow. He is long dead and I willnae be placed in such a position again.”
“Lorna…” He scraped a hand through his hair. “If ye should ever need…”
She rested a hand on his arm. “Ye are a good man, brother. Ye have never failed me. Are ye not here now? Ye put yer life at risk for Katelyn and my husband’s family. I willnae forget that and neither shall Katelyn. We owe ye a great debt.”
“Ye owe me naught. But it seems I owe ye much more. Lorna, ye shouldnae have had to suffer…”