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duplicity. When she took a step closer, he unlocked his ridged posture and stepped forward as well.
    She entered the darkened forge with tentative steps, and he took the opportunity to study her features with detailed care. She carried a slightly reddish hue at the base of her chin and neck, no doubt from his beard and passionate assault from the previous night. Though he was thankful it was hardly noticeable, a satisfied pride filled his chest. Absentmindedly, he rubbed his bearded chin.
    "G'day tae ye, Miss Arywnn," Colin spoke politely, careful to keep his tone light.
    "G'day tae you as well Colin," she offered with a slight blush. Colin watched her expression. Could it be that she was attracted to him, or was she remembering the rogue from the night before? A smug grin tugged at his lips, and she cast him a confused expression.
    "Out fer yer noontime ride then?" he asked, forcing his features into his usual inscrutable expression.
    She paused a moment before answering. "Aye, of course." She hesitated, tilting her head to the side and regarding him with a sharp eye. "We're friends, aren't we Colin?"
    "I'd like tae think so, aye."
    "If I asked ye a question, ye would tell me true, wouldn't ye?" she asked, watching his eyes with care.
    "Aye lass that I would," his heart spoke the words before his mind could remind him of the impossibility. Especially if her question regarded a certain rogue who rescued her the night before…
    "What do ye think, of my father's announcement? How do ye feel about a traitor in our midst?" she asked in a lowered voice, as if she were afraid of speaking the question aloud.
    Colin was surprised at her question, but he made sure his face wouldn't betray his shock. He relaxed his posture so that he braced himself against the wall, and folded his muscular arms across his chest. He took a moment to regard her.
    "Well, tae be true 'tis disconcernin' thinking about a traitor sneakin' round our home trying to cause trouble. I don't like the thought, not one bit," he responded, as he purposefully held eye contact throughout the length of his lie.
    How he hated lying to her, especially after just promising to be honest. The lie sat like a burr in his chest, but he saw no way around it. Hopefully it was the only lie he'd be forced to give her, at least today.
    "As for yer da, what do you mean his announcement?" he asked, curious. With a profuse blush that reached to her hairline she looked down at her feet and teased the plaid with her fingers, picking away imaginary dust.
    "About his promise of…" She trailed off before finishing. With a shake of her head she glanced up. "Nothing, 'tis nothing. Forget I asked," she spoke with quick words before spinning on her heel, and attempting to rush away.
    He reached out and gently grasped her arm, halting her escape. Her green eyes held both fear and self-recrimination. He searched her expression, and then mentally went over her last words. At last he figured out what she was asking, and the realization both thrilled and chilled him to his core. Humbled at her bravery in approaching him for such a bold request, he was not willing to let her berate herself for her courage.
    "Aye lass, indeed there is nothing more that I'd like than tae catch the cur betraying our clan so that I could have ye," he whispered, his gaze boring into hers with sincerity, yet certain hopelessness clenched his heart as well.
    What a tangled web!
    To do what she was asking, he'd be turning himself in, hanging, and most assuredly not marrying her. Yet as futile as the situation was, his heart rejoiced. She wanted him, at least the person he was pretending to be. It filled him with a joy he didn't know existed.
    "Truly?" she asked. A fierce light of expectation and hope illuminated her deep emerald eyes as she searched his gaze.
    "Truly lass." The words poured from Colin's soul. There was no deeper a desire than to possess her, however unlikely. Reluctantly, he released his grip on her arm