Page 79 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

He looked away first, and Ailis swallowed. She could not keep letting his mere glance rattle her like this. Especially when he still avoided her most of the time.

She tried to focus on watching the games again, but a hush seemed to move through the people closest to the entrance.

She turned and noticed a man had entered the courtyard.

Laird Kerr.

She recognized him immediately from Gordon’s description.

He was impeccably dressed, his dark clothing carefully fitted beneath a heavy cloak pinned at his shoulder. His manner was composed, almost elegant, but there was something watchful in his eyes.

He did not smile, but his eyes traveled over the faces of everyone present in the courtyard, including the guards. Then his gaze landed intently on her, and the corner of his lips quirked.

He approached without looking away.

Ailis straightened instinctively when Kerr stopped before her, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw Gordon move and march toward them in quick strides.

“Miss Sinclair,” Kerr said when she extended a hand to him. He bowed over her hand. “Or perhaps Lady soon enough.”

His fingers barely touched hers, yet Ailis felt a strange uneasiness settle beneath her skin.

She smiled politely. “Perhaps.”

His eyes lifted to hers, and an unreadable shadow crossed over them.

Before he could speak again, a familiar presence came to her side. She turned and saw Gordon. Her shoulders loosened with relief before she could stop them. Even though Kerr had barely said a thing to her, Gordon being by her side instantly flooded her with a sense of safety.

Ailis swallowed when a lump formed and pressed on her throat.

Kerr’s gaze moved toward him. “Laird.”

Gordon’s expression remained unreadable. “Laird Kerr,” he answered in the same stiff tone.

Both men shook hands, but Ailis still sensed the tension between them even as they tried to be civil.

Ailis glanced from one man to the other as the air tightened.

She remembered Gordon’s warning.

Men have gone to war over less.

Kerr looked at her once more, and a smile perked on his lips. It was a smug one… one she did not trust.

“I didnae think that ye would take up me invite,” Gordon observed as he released Kerr’s hand now.

“Didnae think?” Kerr questioned. “Or did ye hope that I wouldnae?”

Gordon’s jaw tightened, and his silence was enough reply.

Kerr’s smile only widened. “I intend to enjoy the games, Laird.”

Kerr looked at her now and added. “I hope ye enjoy the celebrations, Miss Ailis.” His smile was slight as he added, “I imagine ye shall find them… memorable.”

He walked away after that, and Ailis watched him disappear into the crowd.

Gordon remained beside her. “Daenae wander alone,” he said to her. “We daenae ken what his intentions are yet.”

She turned toward him. “I ken. Ye daenae have to worry about me.”