Page 46 of The Wolf Laird's Obsession
He could not help the feeling of inadequacy that pulsed in the back of his mind.
Again, someone had slipped past their defenses, setting fire to another grain store. If it had not been clear before, it was clear now that the attack was deliberate. There was nothing reckless about it, nothing careless.
He’d already sent Ewan ahead to the eastern border to assess the damage and secure what remained. By now, he would be on site, seeing for himself what had been lost. Rowan trusted him to act quickly, but it did little to ease his concern.
Whoever is behind this is choosin’ their targets with intent. This isnae chance. They ken exactly what they’re doing.
His hand moved across the map, tracing the borders. There was too little information to form a pattern, to know where they could strike next.
And who was to say they would stop at the grain stores? Homes could be next. Whole villages. Depending on the enemy’s motives, winter might not be the only danger to his people.
And worse, I still have nay name, nay clear enemy to strike back.
Ewan had mentioned before that maybe his marriage to Sorcha was the cause of these strange events. Rowan had considered it but hadn’t looked into it seriously. The evidence had been too thin to make such assumptions at that time. But now…
Now the thought returned with more weight.
All of this had started not long after Sorcha arrived. In fact, it had started on the day of her arrival.
If there is a connection, it didnae begin here. It began with Sinclair. It had to. It’s the only thing that makes sense.
Rowan’s gaze narrowed slightly as he considered the possibilities. Callan Sinclair was not a man given to carelessness, or so he seemed. He would not have offered his sister’s hand without weighing every consequence. Which meant either there was nothing to tell, or there was something he had chosen not to.
Rowan did not know which he disliked more.
Right then, a disturbing thought entered his mind, a subtle darkness threading its way into his thoughts.
Does Sorcha ken anythin’? She did seem adamant about going through with this marriage. Is she capable of treachery?
He doubted it. He remembered her shock when they had been attacked, the way she had looked around as though the danger had come from nowhere at all. There had been no hint that she had expected anything to follow her here.
The darkness that tried to sway his opinion quickly disappeared the more he thought about it.
Nay. If there were something to uncover, it wouldnae be found in her. And even if it were, it’s mine to deal with now.
His eyes drifted to the door. She would come soon. He had sent for her not long ago.
He needed to tell her that he would be leaving. Needed to ensure she understood the state of things in his absence. He would not leave her unprepared.
That should have been enough.
He could have sent Morag. Could have left a word with Flora. Could have handled this without involving himself directly. Instead, he stood there waiting.
The truth sat beneath the surface, quiet and unwelcome.
I want to see her.
He was irritated by his admission. It carried no purpose. No strategy. No place for what needed to be done.
Exhaling slowly, he steadied himself as he forced his thoughts back in order.
He would speak what was necessary, then leave. The distance he had tried to maintain would be restored, as it should have been from the beginning. Because what had happened between them in the Great Hall could not happen again.
Rowan pushed away from the table at last, crossing to the window. He pushed it open just enough to let the cold air clear his head.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Aye,” he called, not turning. “Enter.”
