Page 5 of The Rogue’s Redemption

“Enough,” Toren said. “If we could resolve such issues here, there would be no need for the meeting.”

Reid sat back and looked for the pretty blonde sisters, but they’d disappeared from sight.

“Just be safe,” Juliette said. “And do not court trouble.”

Ahh, he’d found her, the one he’d already tasted.

“Trouble?” he asked distractedly, anticipating the night ahead. “Never.”

He ignored Juliette’s laughter and sought out the woman’s gaze. It wasn’t difficult to attract her attention. The last great council had lasted weeks, and if Reid’s memory served, there had been no maids at Highgate to amuse him.

Luckily, such was not the case this eve.

* * *

“You forgot to reorient the tip.”

Allie sighed. Why did she forget every single time? “Perhaps you can show me a different method?”

Aidan crossed his arms. “Very well.”

She brought her feet back into the starting position.

“Remember, you are aiming for my blade, not my body.”

She tried to concentrate. Stood hips facing forward, sword at shoulder height. Brought it down decisively and—

Ouch!

Allie had remembered to reorient the tip of the blade, but she’d let her excitement distract her—so much so that Aidan was able to knock her blunted sword completely out of her hands.

When he bent down to retrieve it for her, she moved quickly, positioning herself away from his reach. Aidan always said her speed was a strength, so she tried to use it whenever possible.

“Nice recovery,” he said, looking up at the darkening sky. “Though I do think we should return to the keep.”

Allie watched as Aidan put his finger to his lips. He was looking off into the distance, but she didn’t see anything there other than the tops of some very tall, old trees.

“What is it?” she whispered.

Aidan frowned at her, something that only made her more curious. She couldn’t help it. Allie wanted to know what he saw. Or heard.

“Aidan?”

He gave her the same look he’d given her upon hearing her suggestion that they keep these training sessions secret. But she would not let his expression destroy her good mood.

“Likely an animal,” he said finally. “Though if it had been anything else, you’d have given us away with all of that noise. ‘Aidan,’” he mimicked in an exaggerated, breathy whisper.

“I did not sound like that.”

He continued. “‘Aidan. Aidan. Who’s there? What’s happening? Is it—’”

“You’re quite amusing,” she said, her tone suggesting just the opposite.

Due to the rolling hills, they had a clear view of Highgate Castle as they walked back beyond the dense tree line. In silent agreement, they both stopped and watched as another retinue of men on horseback arrived. The leaders of the various border clans had begun to descend on Highgate End two days ago for the planned summit. Allie could not help but feel a twinge of excitement for the days ahead. Of course, Gillian kept reminding her—every day, it seemed—that this was not a celebration. She knew that. Knew better than most the dangers that lurked on both sides of the border and the implications for her family back in England and Highgate End. Even still, the arrival of so many men, and even some of their ladies . . . how could she not be excited after twenty years of boredom at Lyndwood? Gillian would have told her that was an exaggeration—that she couldn’t possibly remember being bored as a babe—but that was the way it felt.

“You’re in good spirits.” Aidan said, watching the riding party’s procession. Then his eyes widened and his grin faded.

“What is it?”