Chapter 13

“Aye.” He attempted a reassuring smile. She shrugged and walked away with her tray.

His life was simple and not difficult, but it was empty and held no joy. When first he left William’s castle, he gave some thought to returning home. His family would accept him back, though they would certainly show him their disappointment. There had never been a way he could live up to his bigger, stronger brothers and father. None of them ever let him forget it either.

In the end, he decided he didn’t want to face them any more than he wanted to live a lie with William and his new wife. Duncan guessed they’d married by now. The goblet slipped from his fingers and clattered to the floor. The clang turned heads his way.

Flinching, Duncan bent down and picked it up and placed it on the shelf next to the others. Done with that task, he wondered what he should occupy himself with next.

“Duncan.”

“I’m sorry, Thomas. My fingers just slipped,” he said to the tavern owner who approached him.