Free Knight Everlasting by Jackie Ivie Page A

dismissively. He hadn’t put much groan to the words. It was clear he wanted time with his self-pity. And he didn’t want her. Juliana knew she wasn’t wanted. Aidan must be immune.
    â€œI’ll have a joint of meat carved and brought in for you two. Gregor is handling the cooking. ’Twas a nice-sized boar you got, Arran. Nice-sized. Fit for bragging. Especially with the way you took it.”
    â€œI’m ru-ru-ruined, and you wish t-t-to-to brag?” the lad asked.
    â€œWhat? I’ll be crowing over how you took such an animal with only a skean and little warning. That’s what I’m for bragging.”
    The lad smiled a bit with the praise.
    â€œAs to the other . . . the ruined part? I believe we’ll just pass on that. Fair?”
    The lad nodded after a moment. Juliana silently agreed. She didn’t want to discuss anything of his injury. She didn’t even know what to say over it.
    â€œThen why-why-why did you bring her?”
    â€œJuliana wanted a bit of companionship.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong with yours?” his brother asked.
    â€œPlenty.”
    Juliana and Aidan said it in unison, and that surprise was added with the wide-eyed locked gaze that followed it. His left eyebrow was lifted again, and the man was too handsome for such an expression. She felt burned. Scorched. Sweat beads broke out near her hairline with the force of it. Then Arran coughed and Juliana looked away. There wasn’t anything she could say. Looking at Arran was far safer, and her presence might be doing some good after all. The young man had moved into a full sit, propped against the bed roll, and had only the slightest grimace on his face as he finished.
    â€œShe does-does na’ seem to-to-to fancy you much, Aidan,” he remarked.
    â€œTrue.”
    â€œWhy?” He was asking Juliana.
    â€œI’m auld,” Aidan answered.
    Arran looked skeptical. It was probably the match to Juliana’s expression. “You’ve ten years on me. That’s na’ auld.”
    â€œTo a young lass, it is. Trust me. I’ll leave you two now and see what’s taking Gregor so long.”
    â€œWhat am I to-to do with her?” the lad asked.
    Aidan was hiding a grin. Juliana didn’t find anything amusing.
    â€œTalk. Visit. Eat.”
    Watch. Guard. Detain.
    Her mind gave her the words as she stood mutely considering the entirety of Aidan MacKetryck’s trick. She couldn’t believe she’d been so witless and walked right into it. Juliana put every bit of ire she felt to the look she gave him. He smiled broader. And then he winked.
    â€œYou’ll call out for anything, Arran?” he asked.
    â€œBut Aidan! Wh-Wh-What does a lass . . . t-t-talk of?”
    Juliana spied a trunk, the match in size to the one she’d bumped her nose into earlier, and walked over to it. She had it pulled into position next to Arran’s cot and was preparing to perch atop it before she spoke again. She ignored Aidan . . . completely and totally.
    â€œI’m certain you’ll find something. Lasses like flattery. You could try that.”
    â€œA-A-Aidan.” The young man was embarrassed. It was in his voice and on his flushed face. Juliana glanced at him and then away. The emotion did nothing to hamper his comeliness. It probably increased it, if she was a young woman with nothing more on her mind than keeping an injured, handsome lad company for the day.
    She settled onto the trunk, although it was too short and her knees were near her chest. “Oh. We’re going to have a very nice talk, Arran. For most of the day, while I wait for my clothing to finish drying . . . and you to tire,” Juliana informed him.
    â€œAnd our dead to arrive. So we can bury them,” Aidan added.
    Juliana gasped. His voice held more than just words. It held raw emotion. She did her best to pretend she hadn’t heard it, although the trill of gooseflesh down