*Cait*
The moment Rory and Duncan disappear down the trail, Lachlan steps closer.
"You shouldn't spend so much time with him," he says, his voice low, controlled. "The Lowlander."
I cross my arms, forcing my expression to remain neutral. “His name is Rory.”
“Aye. Rory.” Lachlan says it like a curse. “He’s not one of us.”
“And yet he follows my brother to teach lads to shoot longbows, and he mends my father’s fences.”
I turn my gaze toward the woods where Rory vanished moments ago, trying not to show how much I miss his presence already.
Rory genuinely recognizes me, not just the dutiful daughter, not just the bride-to-be, but he sees all of me. And that terrifies me almost as much as it thrills me.
“You’re to be my wife, Cait,” Lachlan reminds me, his hand reaching for mine.
I al
