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matter."
    Airin frowned. "What?"
    Deryll faced Gewain. "Before Lord Bothwell arrived yesterday, Lady Airin and I were betrothed. He ignored the betrothal and demanded her hand. Airin feared for me and went to beg for my life."
    "She admitted to going there to bed him," Gewain said.
    "Aye," Deryll agreed. "When she found Lord Bothwell dead, she feared I had committed the murder." Deryll looked at her.
    "You need not fear, Airin. I passed the night in the great hall, and," he managed an ironic smile, "I found your brooch." He opened his palm to reveal the brooch. "It must have fallen under the bed when you were attacked."
    "Attacked?" Gewain interjected.
    The knight nodded. "Last night, while she admired the brooch, someone attacked her. The room was set afire. She barely escaped with her life."
    Speechless, Gewain's stepped aside as Deryll strode to Airin. Deryll's gaze locked with hers while he gently moved aside a corner of the blanket. He slid his fingers beneath the fabric. The warmth of his hand sent a shock through her. She swallowed, but kept her gaze fixed on him as he pinned the brooch to her shift, then stepped back.
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    The Pendulum
    by Tarah Scott

CHAPTER FOUR
    Deryll's explanation of her involvement had struck so close to the mark it startled Airin. How much easier it would have been to let Lord Bothwell slay him. She reached up and touched the brooch. She would toss the cursed thing into the loch at first opportunity. Nay. She would ride today and throw it in.
    "This is the brooch?" Gewain broke the silence.
    "'Tis my brooch," Deryll replied. He angled his head toward Airin. "A gift for my bride."
    This had gone far enough. Airin straightened. "I would recover my senses. Leave me."
    The sheriff shook his head. "My questions will be answered."
    She stared in amazement. "I have entertained too long in my night clothes."
    Deryll faced the sheriff. "We shall await her in the great hall."
    Gewain opened his mouth, but her father interrupted.
    "Leave my daughter."
    "I must—"
    " Enough ." The word crackled with menace.
    The sheriff's hand twitched at his side, and Airin watched in stupefaction. She let out a silent breath when he turned and stalked toward the door.
    "And you," her father pointed a finger at Harold, "do not set a foot outside Huntley Castle."
    36

    The Pendulum
    by Tarah Scott
    The servant's eyes snapped onto the sheriff's retreating back.
    "He will do you no good," Douglas growled.
    The servant cast a wide-eyed glance about the room, then hurried after the sheriff. Deryll turned to follow.
    "Sir Deryll," her father said.
    The knight turned and Douglas motioned for him to close the door. He did as bade and her father looked from Deryll to her. "The two of you shall be my death. Which one of you killed Jason?"
    "You acknowledge, mayhap, 'twas not me?" Airin murmured.
    Her father scoffed. "Do not forget how well I know you, Daughter."
    "I did not kill him. God knows, 'twould be simpler if I had.
    What of this?" She tapped the brooch. The length of the stickpin jabbed the tender flesh below her collarbone. "'Tis Jason's brooch." She motioned at Deryll. "He stole it."
    " Retrieved ," Deryll corrected.
    "You stole it, then killed him."
    "I would have to kill him first, then steal it."
    "Your confession gratifies me."
    "I never left the great hall," he replied, unruffled.
    By God, she was tired. "You paid someone to accomplish the deed."
    Deryll crossed his arms over his chest. Airin was startled to discover her gaze fixed upon the chest hair visible at his gaping collar.
    "I ... paid someone to kill Lord Bothwell?" he asked.
    37

    The Pendulum
    by Tarah Scott
    Airin jerked her attention onto his face. His gaze sharpened and a tingle traveled her belly. "You stayed in the hall all night in order to elude suspicion," she shot back harder than intended.
    "If you believe this, why not tell Gewain?"
    She took a deep breath. "Because Jason deserved to die."
    "How gratifying that I am more honorable than your