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He stared at her, momentarily stunned. Of all the things he expected, this had not been among them. Did she truly believe he would simply welcome her back? The audacity, the arrogance of the woman struck him harder than anger ever could.
“Please leave.”
Ignoring him, she lifted her hand and cupped his jaw, her touch intimate, familiar. “Ye have nae married,” she murmured. “I asked. They told me ye have nae even courted. I am the reason, Camden. Ye have been waiting for me. I am flattered.”
For a heartbeat, satisfaction glimmered in her eyes when he caught her wrist, only to fade when he removed her hand and let it drop away.
“What I do with my life concerns ye not.” His gaze shifted deliberately to the doorway. “Return to yer husband.”
A brisk knock interrupted them, and the door opened before either could respond.
Moyra stood framed in the entryway.
She had clearly not come by chance. Her hair had been carefully styled, loose curls arranged to tumble just so about her shoulders. A ribbon of deep color threaded through the strands, drawing attention to the glossy richness of it. Her attire, something Camden had not seen her wear before, clung in flattering lines, the bodice laced to emphasize her figure, the fabric freshly pressed and chosen in a shade that warmed her complexion. Even her lips carried a faint tint, and the subtle scent of lavender reached him before she had fully stepped inside.
She had taken time. Considerable time. Not for errands. And certainly not entirely for him.
Her narrowed eyes flicked from Eara to Camden. The lack of surprise in her expression made it clear she already knew of Eara’s return.
“Camden,” she said, pointedly ignoring the other woman as she crossed the room, deftly navigating around the broken glass. “I wished to give ye time to rest before calling on ye, but I see ye’ve been disturbed.”
Her gaze sharpened as it landed on Eara, who stood rigid, brow creased.
Moyra continued smoothly, “How fares the wee lad ye tended last night?”
“Recovering,” Camden replied. His patience thinned further. Moyra’s timing was no coincidence. She had come because Eara was here.
“It has been a long time, Moyra,” Eara said, a sneer edging her words.
“I am surprised ye returned,” Moyra answered with a soft huff, her tone light but edged. “Is yer husband aware of where ye are?”
Color rose swiftly along Eara’s neck, staining her cheeks. “Camden and I require privacy,” she said tightly. “We were speaking.”
When another knock sounded at the door, Camden’s stomach tightened. For one fleeting, dreadful moment he feared it might be Anne stepping into this chaos.
The door opened. Relief washed through him in a slow exhale when Beitris entered instead.
His cousin filled the doorway like a force of nature, vivid and unmistakable. Her bright red hair, the same fiery shade as his own, blazed in the light, gathered loosely yet already escaping in wild strands that framed her face. Sharp green eyes, keen and unyielding, surveyed the room with the quick precision of a hawk sizing up prey.
She needed no explanation.
Her gaze flicked first to Moyra, narrowing, then to the glittering shards scattered across the floor, widening, and finally locked onto Eara with unmistakable fury.
Beitris strode forward, boots striking the floor with purpose. Eara raised her hands instinctively, as though bracing for a blow. Camden would not have wagered against the possibility.
Beitris stopped only when they stood nearly nose to nose. “Get out,” she spat, voice low but cutting as steel. “And dinnae come here again. Ye made yer choice. I hope it proves punishment enough.”
Eara gasped sharply, as though struck all the same. Eyes filled, she fled the room. Her skirts swinging wildly, she knocked over a jug and left the door gaping behind her.
Beitris turned next to Moyra, and the shift in her attention alone was enough to make the woman edge away from Camden.
He found himself watching with quiet curiosity. When Beitris was in such a mood, one didnae interrupt.
Hands planted firmly on her hips, she gave a sharp huff. “Moyra. For all that is holy, allow Camden to pursue ye, not the other way around. Go home.”
Moyra bristled, chin lifting. “Ye have nae right to address me so.”
“I dinnae,” Beitris replied lightly with a shrug, though her eyes remained bright with challenge. “Only offering advice. Take it or leave it. Now be on yer way, Camden and I have work awaiting.”
