Page 64 of Brigand

Kaitlin studied her for a moment and then became suddenlyfixated on the folds of her gown. “I’ve been wondering about something,” shefinally murmured.

“Yes?”

Her eyes flicked up, intent, searching. “How do you reallyfeel about Ewan McCloud?”

Violet tried desperately to keep her expression completelyblank. Apparently she failed. She saw it in Kaitlin’s face.

Her friend came up off the bed and then, though she wasdressed in a priceless gown, she dropped to her knees at Violet’s feet. “Oh,darling. You care for him. After everything that happened?”

Violet didn’t mean to put out a lip. It went out all on itsown. Tears welled.

“Don’t cry. Why are you crying?”

“B-because. He doesn’t feel the same.”

Kaitlin sat back on her haunches and stared. “He doesn’t?”

“N-no.”

“Has he told you that?”

“No. I-I haven’t talked to him since we…since we…since Scotland.”

Kaitlin grinned. “That’s because you’ve been hiding. Oh!That’s why you’ve been hiding. And here I thought you were afraid of him—”

“I’m not afraid of him.”

“Because he wants to court you.”

Violet stilled. She stared at her friend in shock. “H-he wantsto court me?”

“Oh.” Kaitlin clapped a hand over her mouth. “Did I say thatout loud?”

“He wants to court me?” Joy, utter joy, sang in her veins.Feet that had been so heavy now longed to dance. Her heart soared. “He wants tocourt me!” And then her spirits plummeted. “How do you know he wants to courtme?”

Kaitlin stood and brushed out her skirts. “He asked Edward’spermission.”

“Edward told you this?”

A snort. “Don’t be silly. I overheard him and Transomtalking about it. Edward said he thought it was a good idea…considering—which Idid not understand in the least.” She pinned Violet with a fixed gaze.

She turned her head to hide her blush.

But one could not hide much from Kaitlin. She settled on thebench at Violet’s side once again. “You really like him? A lot?”

“I…love him.”

“Ah.”

“Why do you say it like that?”

“Like what?”

“Like ah, as in what a pity.”

Kaitlin shook her head. “Not a bit of it. If he’s the manyou want, then we shall win him for you.”

“Even though he’s a brigand?”