The Highlander's Outlaw Bride (9 page)

“Well, there will be none to wed ye from the gallows.”

He loomed over her, his expression darker still. “And I could have refused ye for yer lack of respect.”

She stared at him in disbelief. “Lack of respect? I said naught that is not on any other’s tongue, m’laird.”

“Ye know naught of me or my past year in France.”

“Enough to know I dinnae want to be shackled to a skirt-chaser like yerself. I dinnae want such disrespect in
my
marriage, either!”

Conn exhaled a long breath. “Why are ye so against this marriage?”

“Are ye daft? What is there to recommend it?”

“The reivers—”

“Have stripped my clan of their wealth.”

“Yer dowry is of no importance to me. However, I do find myself in need of an heir.”

Furious, Brianna tossed her head. “Ye would do better to find a woman ye know will give ye one. I have no desire to be that woman.”

“Is that so?” The soft tone of his voice did not match the fire she saw in his eyes. She shook off the frisson of longing before it woke the passion his voice ignited in her, and did not flinch as she spoke the lie.

“Aye.”

She braced herself for his scornful rebuttal, certain he would deride her actions of three nights previous. She needed away from this nightmare, a chance to find some palatable option. Before she could move, his hand grasped the back of her head, drawing her against him. She gasped, and his mouth took her cry in a fierce kiss that tore the lie from her. Startled, she returned his kiss, the taste of him a vibrant memory. His hand flared across her bottom, pulling her against his arousal. He was too close, trapping her, giving her no quarter. With a muffled shriek, Brianna jerked away, her hands shoving against his chest. He murmured against her ear.

“That’s right. Fight me. Use up yer anger.”

With renewed vigor, she kicked at his shins, her slippered feet doing him no damage. Her fingers curved as she clawed at him, leaving a red welt the length of his cheek before he caught her wrists. She writhed against him until her energy was spent, and she sagged against the wall at her back.

Conn shifted both her wrists into one hand and stroked fingers across her cheek, the heat of her skin reflecting her wrath. Taking advantage of what he was sure was only a temporary surrender, his hands took on a life of their own as they released her to stroke her sides, remembering her curves. As his palms moved to cup her breasts, Brianna stiffened with a hiss, and he cursed her willful anger against him. Though a widow, he did not believe she openly sought lovers, for the last time he caressed her, he’d gotten his own sword in his chest for his efforts.

He moved his lips soothingly against her temple as he calmed his raging passion. But instead of settling, she wrenched away, though the wall at her back stopped her retreat. She flattened against the rough stone, her breathing ragged, eyes sparking her fury. He placed his hands on the wall above her head and leaned his forehead against his arms. Admiring the way her breasts heaved against the constraints of her gown, he forced his gaze away from her ample charms and to her eyes.

He read mutiny in their cool blue depths. Mutiny and hatred. Puzzled, he wondered if he had gone too far, but he remembered how she had returned his kiss, for a moment at least. For one sweet moment she had felt like heaven in his arms. Now she fought to get away from him like a rabbit caught in the hunting path of a falcon.

“Explain why ye hate me so.” His voice sounded soft and low, both gentling and demanding at the same time.

She glanced past him, her gaze darting from side to side, judging the possibility of escape. There was none, and after a moment she lifted her chin a notch, refusing to answer him. He hid a grin at her courage and pride. And stubbornness.

“Have ye always disliked the idea of marriage, then?”

A disdainful breath escaped her. “I have been married once before. It dinnae interest me much then, either.”

“Yer previous husband was only a lad. Heir to a sizeable bit of land, but still just a lad.”

“And ye can do better,” she tossed at him, repeating his earlier boast to the king.

“Ye know I can.” He touched the backs of his fingers to her cheek and she gasped, her skin darkening beneath his touch. “I cannae get our love-making out of my mind.”

Brianna shrugged. “Och, there was nothing to recommend it to me. I have already put it from my mind.”

“I apologize for that, dearling. Ye willnae feel so bereft the next time, I promise ye.”

“Dinnae bother. All I want from ye is Morven’s protection for Wyndham.”

He met her steely stare. “Ye dinnae want me?”

“Nae,” she ground between clenched teeth, her nostrils flaring.

“Ye werenae married long enough to appreciate a man in yer bed. I bet ye still have yer dowry chest.” He teased her lightly, wanting to see a smile on her lips.

“I burned the wood to warm my cold bedroom,” she snarled in reply.

“Yer wedding dress?”

“Rags for the stable!”

He leaned closer, his voice a raw whisper in her ear. “I would settle for marrying ye the way I found ye.” Brianna eyed him in puzzlement, and he knew the instant she remembered he had pulled her from the burn as naked as the day she was born.

With a snarl of either rage or despair, she flung herself away from the wall. Before he could stop her, she darted beneath his arm and fled down the darkened hallway, her billowing silver hair the last thing to fade into the darkness.

Shite! Does the lass have no sense at all?
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, wincing as he encountered the tender stripe she’d laid down the side of his face.
Why do I pursue her? She openly hates me and has scorned me before the king and his court.
He shrugged, remembering how they’d come together when neither knew the other’s name.
I could do a lot worse
. His rueful smile creased the welt and he scowled at the sting.

Pivoting on his heel, he headed for the great hall where the feasting was taking place. Firelight burst across the walls, reflecting the flames dancing in the huge fireplace. Voices raised in cheer reached him and he slowed.
They will wonder if I come to the table alone. Unable to control my bride.
His footsteps halted.
I dinnae want to marry, either. And I escaped to France. But now ’tis my duty to wed and provide my clan an heir. No matter some think I shirked my duty by running away, I willnae turn from it now.

Surely she hasnae gone far
. Biting back another curse, he pushed himself from his indecision and headed down the hallway after her.

Chapter 11

Seated on a pile of hay in a corner of Maude’s stall, Brianna huddled in anger, arms wrapped around her waist against the night air. The mare showed mild interest, butting her with her soft nose as she begged a treat, but soon returned to her snooze, one hoof cocked lazily on its toe as she flicked her tail from time to time at a persistent horsefly.

Drained from the evening’s events, Brianna felt quite content to sit and feel sorry for herself. She was caught firmly by the king’s command, for no matter if she obeyed or not, she would soon find herself unable to call Wyndham home. Was there anything about this calamity she could derive happiness from?

Reluctantly, she admitted Conn not bad-looking. Undoubtedly many other young lasses had fallen victim to his imagined charm, but his looks were at least passable. Dare she trust his boast his love-making would be different in the future? Dare she hope to have anything approaching the respectful relationship she desired?
From what I know of the man, ’tis doubtful.

She leaned her head against the wall of the stable.
I dinnae want to marry a man proud of what is beneath his kilt. I dinnae want the distraction from running Wyndham. I especially dinnae want a man who was once in love with another. He is too well known for his dalliances before and since. Marry him? Ha! Murder him is more likely.

The door to Maude’s stall creaked open and Brianna glared at the intruder. To her surprise, Gavin stepped inside the stall, a worried look on his face.

“Are ye well, lass?”

She muttered under her breath, but nodded and motioned for him to join her. He stepped through the deep, sweet-smelling hay, pushing Maude gently on her rump to move her out of his way. The mare stomped a foot in irritation, flicking an ear as he passed.

Gavin settled on the mound of hay beside Brianna and plucked a long stem of dried grass from her tangled hair. With a smiling salute, he stuck the fragrant stem between his teeth. Leaning against the wooden planks behind him, he drew his legs up, hands dangling over his knees. Brianna eyed him curiously.

“How did ye find me?”

“Och, ye always seek the stable and Maude’s good company whenever ye are out of sorts.”

“I am out of sorts,” she admitted. “I begged the king’s mercy and received a life sentence.”

“The king did what he thought best. ’Twas yer da’s plan after all.”

“I am a woman grown and not subject to such interference in my life. I dinnae want to marry and leave Wyndham.”

“Things will work out. Ye must believe that.”

“Why could I not marry someone from Wyndham? So I wouldnae be required to move away, so I could help raise Jamie, keep Wyndham for him until he is grown?” She gave Gavin a frank stare. “Someone like ye?”

“Me? I am years older than ye. I wouldnae make ye a fit husband.”

Brianna waved aside his protest. “Ye are honorable, trustworthy, have some kinship and the desire to help our clans-people. And ye are always nice to me.”

Gavin shook his head and laughed. “’Tis true, though I care not for the lord’s position. And ye are an easy lass to love.”

“Ye love me?”

He returned her startled look with seriousness. “Aye. Since the day ye followed me out to the barn and demanded to be allowed to ride yer da’s stallion.”

“Ye dinnae let me ride him.”

“Nae. I couldnae see ye hurt. Ye have always had my heart, lass.”

“But ye have said nothing. It could have made a difference. We have so many of the same desires, hopes.”

He sighed. “No difference. Ye are betrothed to MacLaurey, and there isnae a man alive who would risk his wrath by touching ye.”

Brianna slid a thoughtful look from the corner of her eyes. “What if he agreed to break the contract?”

Gavin’s wan smile was tinged with sadness. “There is not a chance in hell he would give ye up, lass.”

“No chance at all.” Conn’s deep, forbidding voice rumbled from the doorway. His face was white with barely-leashed fury, and Brianna drew back in alarm. How much of their conversation had he heard? Apparently too much, she realized as she met his angry gaze. After fleeing his embrace, he now found her in a most compromising position with one of her soldiers—who had just declared his love for her. Did Conn think she planned to run away with Gavin? Likely.

“Ye willnae blame the lass for this.” Gavin spoke over her musings, drawing Conn’s ire.

Conn snatched the stall door open, motioning for Gavin to leave with a jerk of his head. “The
lass
,” he bit out, stressing the word, “is about to become
my wife
. She is now under the protection of the MacLaureys.”

Gavin stood his ground. “Until she is married, her clansmen will protect her.”

“And let her get caught reiving again?” Conn taunted.

Gavin advanced a step, scowling. Conn relaxed his stance, flexing his hands in eager anticipation of a fight.

Brianna leapt to her feet, planting her fists on her hips in outrage. “Stop it, the both of ye!”

The two men ignored her, their challenging stares locked together, each waiting for the other to make the first move. She turned to Gavin, admonishment on her lips, and Conn’s black gaze snapped to her. She froze, realizing that to openly side with Gavin, a man who had declared his love for her in front of her betrothed, albeit unknowingly, would indeed be the spark to set the fire ablaze.

Amadans.
Men
. Schooling her face to a more tolerant mien, she addressed them both. “There is no reason for the two of ye to act like
paukie
lads. I willnae have it.”

Conn sent her a chilling look. “Ye willnae? Then, lady, have a care who ye tumble in the hay with. After our discussion a short time ago, I would be inclined to think him the reason ye told me nae.”

“I have told ye my reasons.”

“Ye will have to find better ones. The king has already conceded ye much.”

“Leave her be.” Gavin’s voice lost its hostility, his gaze no longer challenging.

Tension arced between the two men, then drained away. But the look that passed between them assured Brianna the matter was far from settled. Conn stepped away from the door, allowing Gavin passage. As the man drew abreast, Conn spoke. “I wouldnae harm her.”

Gavin nodded as he strode through the doorway. “That is a good thing.”

Brianna watched Gavin’s receding back, then met Conn’s mocking gaze.

“Ye started collecting admirers somewhat quickly for a lass with no prospects less than an hour ago.”