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He stopped short of saying the one thing he’d never thought to say to a woman. But if love meant caring for someone more than you did yourself, then he was in love with Hannah Sutton. Because he wanted Hannah to stay more than anything, but if faced with the choice of her staying or finding her beloved sisters, he would gladly give her up.

Tristan saw Gerard riding toward them before he heard him. The sound of the sea drowned out his steward’s shouted words, but something was clearly wrong. Hannah must have seen it in his eyes, because she turned back toward the path leading to the castle.

“My lord!”

Tristan watched as the hooves of Gerard’s horse kicked up sand all around him.

“You’re needed immediately at the castle.”

“What is it?”

“Reivers,” Gerard said. “Three of them. They say Sutherland has already told his men the truce is over, that any Scot found guilty of reiving Saxford land will be rewarded rather than brought to the warden for justice. Take my horse. You’re needed back at the castle.”

“That bastard.” He glanced at Hannah. “We must—”

“Go,” she said. “Go ahead. I will follow you.”

Gerard was already dismounting.

Tristan took the reins, and with a final quick glance at his best friend and the woman he loved, he made his way toward the keep.

* * *

Hannah satat the front of the hall for the midday meal, looking toward the entrance each time she heard new voices. Neither Tristan nor Gerard had yet made an appearance, and she feared the worst.

The largest meal of the day, dinner typically consisted of multiple courses and boasted a hall filled to capacity with retainers, servants and sometimes, it seemed, just about every person who lived and worked at Saxford.

But not today.

Fewer people, less chatter, and the worst . . . the dour looks those that did remain seemed to be giving each other.

A very different feel had descended on the castle since Gerard had brought news of the reivers, and Hannah couldn’t help but wonder if she was half-crazed to even consider staying here. Danger was coming, that much was clear. And she felt she was betraying her sisters and her parents’ memory by even considering Tristan’s plea. And yet she had thought of nothing else . . .

“More ale, my lady?”

Hannah tried to smile at the servant as she spotted Durwin, who’d just entered the hall and was making his way toward her.

“No, thank you.”

They drank ale like water around here, and though it tasted very different and was clearly not as potent as beer, she still could not get used to the idea of drinking it all day long.

“Pardon, my lady.”

The squire had reached the dais and, after a quick bow, said, “My lord sent me to inform you he’ll not be at the meal.”

Despite the fact that she’d been looking up every two minutes, Hannah had already guessed as much.

“Thank you for informing me, Durwin.”

The squire’s eyes darted away from her to the side of the hall, where two female maids stood giggling. Hannah assumed he might be looking at them in a coming-of-age-type way until he frowned.

“Is all well?” she asked.

“’Tis not my place, my lady. But Gerard is with my lord and . . .” He shrugged.

“What is it?” Something was clearly troubling him.

One of the girls motioned to the cupbearer, who seemed to be practically running through the hall in an effort to fill each person’s mug.