Highlander's Rebellious Love (8 page)

“Where are you going?”

Patience turned at the top step of the keep, her hand on the hilt of her dagger to see Saundra staring wide-eyed at her. “To apologize to Rona.”

Saundra grabbed the sides of her gown and lifted it so that she could hurry up the stairs to Patience. “Though I may seem too delicate to most, I am no fool. You are not sorry you struck Rona. So, why apologize?”

Patience was prepared in case that question was asked, but before she could respond the door to the keep flew open and Rab walked out. When he caught sight of his wife, he hurried toward her.

He grabbed her wrist and twisted it back. “Where have you been?”

Patience saw panic and fear fill Saundra’s eyes and she had no doubt that Rab was a husband who raised his hand probably all too frequently to his wife.

“Answer me,” Rab demanded, giving her wrist a twist and causing his wife to wince in pain.

“She came to get me,” Patience said, fighting to contain the urge to stick her dagger in the vile man.

Rab turned dark, angry eyes on her, and snapped, “Why?”

“She reminded me that I was a guest here and had been treated with respect,” —she paused a moment, worried that she would betray her false words— “and in return I had been ill-mannered and disrespectful to Rona and that was not what was expected of a Macinnes. She insisted that I owed Rona an apology. And after a bit of a debate, I agreed. I am here to apologize to Rona.”

Rab released his wife’s wrist and grinned at her. “You are not as useless as I thought.”

Patience moved her hand off the hilt of her dagger, the temptation to use it on him too great.

Rab turned to Patience. “My wife will show you to Rona’s room. She required rest after your vicious assault.” He turned back to Saundra. “See her out of the keep as soon as she is done.” With that he walked down the steps without another word to either woman.

“Whatever reason you returned here, hurry and be done with it,” Saundra said, rushing ahead of Patience.

The Great Hall was empty, not even servants lingered about, though the room could use tending. Patience’s stomach roiled at the disgusting sight and she shook her head.

“When Kevin McLaud was alive and Una in charge of the keep, it was a lovely place,” Saundra said. “Not so since Greer has become chieftain.”

Patience followed her up a narrow, curving staircase, the wooden steps creaking with each footfall that fell upon the worn boards. “Is Greer with his wife?”

Saundra laughed softly. “Rona cannot get with child because Greer barely touches her. He is too busy finding his pleasure elsewhere. Faithfulness was one trait the McLaud men did not inherit from their father, but then I never saw a man love a woman as Kevin McLaud loved Una. I had hoped that Rab and I would love at least half as much as his parents, but that is not possible.”

“Why?” Patience asked curious.

“He loves another. He always has and he always will. I feel terrible for him, stuck with me when he wants to be with her, which is where he probably is right now.” Saundra wiped at the tear that trickled down her cheek. “Come and be done with this so you can take your leave from this hideous place.”

Patience grabbed her arm, stopping her. “How do you know we leave?”

“It would be the wise thing to do and I believe you are a very wise woman.” Saundra tugged at Patience’s arm, pulling her along.

They stopped at a closed door and before Saundra knocked, she said, “Do you wish privacy?”

Patience nodded.

“Then I will wait out here for you.” With that Saundra knocked on the door and opened it once Rona bid her to enter. Saundra was quick to tell a startled Rona that Patience was there to apologize, then she took her leave to wait outside the closed door.

Rona sat in bed, pillows piled behind her back and her chin tilted up as if purposely displaying the dark purple bruise along her jaw. “I never expected a woman who was more like an uncivilized brute to apologize for her crude manners.”

“You would be right about the apologizing part.”

Rona’s eyes widened and not with anger, but with fear.

Patience walked over to the side of the bed.

Rona drew back away, gripping at the blanket. “I will call out for my husband.”

“He is too busy poking another woman.”

“How dare—”

Patience drew her dagger and pointed it at Rona. “I dare anything when someone suggests that they will have me enslaved like they did my sister. What do you know of my sister’s abduction?”

Rona paled and was quick to explain. “I know not why the Dark Dragon took your sister or what he does with her.”

“Then why threaten me as you did?” Patience moved closer, the point of her dagger not far from Rona’s face to make certain the woman understood she would have no trouble using it.

“I will not say, since I fear Greer more than I fear your blade. You may leave me with a scar or two, but Greer will see me dead.”

“There is no one here but you and me.”

“Fear has given Greer ears everywhere,” Rona said with a shudder. “You will learn nothing from me.” Her chin went up a notch higher.

Patience shrugged and slipped her dagger in its sheath. “You already have.”

“I have done no such thing,” Rona argued.

“You confirmed what I just heard, that your husband has allied with the Dark Dragon.”

“Then word has finally come,” Rona said joyfully.

“So, you still wait for word from the infamous warrior,” Patience confirmed.

Rona glared at Patience with fury. “You tricked me.”

“As you did me, claiming you were acquainted with the Dark Dragon. Did you truly believe I would not seek the truth?”

“Seek all you want, but in the end it is my husband you will deal with, for he is friends with the Dark Dragon and the infamous warrior will ally with the McLauds. Then it will be my husband who will decide if you ever see your sister again.”

Patience’s dagger was in her hand and at Rona’s throat in an instant while her other hand gripped a handful of hair on the top of the woman’s head. “If you ever threaten my sister’s return or safety, I will show you why you should fear me far more than your useless husband.”

“You do not frighten me,” Rona said, though she trembled.

Patience swung her blade and Rona shut her eyes tight and yelped.

After a moment of feeling no pain, Rona opened her eyes and let out a scream.

Patience stood over her, holding long strands of hair she had chopped off Rona’s head.

Rona’s hand went to the top of her head and rage sparked in her eyes along with tears. “I will see you pay for this.”

“And I will see you pay for the havoc the McLauds have brought upon my family and this whole area.” Patience walked to the door, though turned before opening it. “I will return here and see this finished once and for all. On that you have my word.”

Saundra jumped out of the shadows when Patience walked out of the room.

“Poor woman is pulling her hair out of her head from worry,” Patience said and handed Saundra the thatch of hair. “You best see to her. I will see myself out.”

“And take your leave quickly,” Saundra warned.

“My plans exactly,” Patience said, hurrying down the corridor, to the stairs, and out of the keep.

Chapter Eight

The Macinnes warriors were mounted and ready to leave when Hunter, his mum, and Beast arrived at the dismantled campsite. He glanced around and grew concerned when he did not see his wife. He was about to ask Edward where she was when she suddenly appeared.

“Time to leave,” Patience announced and without help from anyone mounted her horse.

He was not surprised by her strength. Though tall and slender, her body was well-defined and he imagined it was from strenuous training. Her warrior skills were well-known and she could have only achieved such talent by constant practice.

She took the lead, Edward following alongside her, though not for long. He cut away from her and he joined with another warrior and they took over the lead, several feet in front of her. Hunter had taken count of her warriors and two were missing, which meant she had sent them to scout ahead.

He rode up beside her and though he knew she would not like him questioning where she had been, he had every intention of finding out.

“Is the dog yours?” she asked, nodding done at the big black dog trotting alongside his horse.

“For now,” Hunter said and seeing her brow knit he explained. “I am keeping him for a friend until such a time I can return him to her.”

“Friend or lover?” Patience asked, not liking the annoyance she heard in her own voice.

“He belongs to Saundra. She fears for his safety with me gone, since Greer has a habit of abusing the animal and I have a habit of protecting him. He was the runt of the litter and Greer wanted strong dogs, so he ordered him destroyed. Somehow Saundra managed to save the weak pup and care for him, and she and the animal became inseparable much to Greer and Rab’s dismay. He will grow into a fine dog soon.”

“Grow into?” Patience asked. “He is not fully grown yet?”

Hunter laughed. “Beast is a pup, only six months old.”

“Beast?” She laughed. “A fitting name since he is already a size.”

“Where did you go off to?”

Patience glared at him. “If you think by abruptly changing the subject you would catch me off guard and I would answer without thinking, you are sorely mistaken.”

“It does not matter if you smile or scowl, you are still beautiful.”

She laughed. “Flattery or that sinfully delicious smile will not get you an answer to your question.”

“Sinfully delicious?” he repeated. “I am pleased you find me so tasty. It will certainly make for a delightful union between us and no doubt many children.”

His teasing remark reminded her that they were husband and wife and that they would be sleeping together tonight. Unless there was some way she could prevent it, at least for a little while. He was, after all, a stranger to her and the thought of sharing such intimacy with him unnerved her. She could not delay long in joining with him for their vows had to be sealed, but it would not hurt to wait a day or two, though she had given her word, so what choice did she have?

“I look forward to tonight and discovering how delicious you will taste.”

His words had her stomach clenching tight and a rush of gooseflesh rushing over her. She immediately employed his tactic of changing the subject. “I went to talk to Rona.”

It worked. His blue eyes fired a deeper blue, his nostrils flared as he sucked in a breath and she could not help but think how devilishly handsome he was when he looked about to explode.

Hunter fought to contain his abrupt fury. He could have a terrible temper much like his father, though he had learned to control it as he matured. He had hated when his father ranted and raved and struck out at people. He had sworn to himself he would never be like him, never lose his temper, be mean-spirited, and he had done a fine job of it. But his wife was tempting his control.

“That was foolish,” he admonished, keeping a tight rein on his words and forcing his anger to subside.

Patience’s temper flared, though she did not conceal it. “More foolish if I had not taken the opportunity to find out what Rona knew about my sister. She made a remark about Heather being enslaved by the Dark Dragon, and I was not about to dismiss it as irrelevant without finding out if she actually had information that could help me.”

“Rona is a foolish woman, who more surmises than speaks the truth.”

“So I learned, but I also know that somewhere, somehow she had heard something regarding my sister and any bit of information may just be the piece I need to find her.”

Hunter glanced at one, then the other warrior who had suddenly appeared to either side of him and Patience. She settled his curiosity without him having to ask.

“My warriors have been made aware that there could be an attempt on your life by your family and your death blamed on the Clan Macinnes.”

“Like you, I can look after myself,” — he leaned over to whisper— “but I must say I would not want anything to happen to me before I had the chance to make love to you.”

She did not respond, since she was at a loss as to what to say.

“You must admit there is an attraction between us.”

Patience signaled the two warriors to ride ahead. This was a conversation meant only for her and her husband, and she intended to keep it private. She turned to Hunter as soon as the warriors took a position a few feet in front of them. “You are attracted to every woman you see.”

He laughed. “Not true, though most women are quite lovely and unique in their own way. That can make a woman even more attractive. But that is the past and you are my future, and I have thoughts only for you.”

“Your tongue charms much too easily,” she accused.

“But truthfully,” he was quick to add. And just as quick to ask, “Do you fear making love with me?”

“Do you always change the subject so abruptly?”

“Do you always avoid responding?”

“Do not worry, husband, I will do my duty.”

Hunter laughed. “Oh,
mo chridhe
, it is not duty that will bring you repeatedly to our bed.”

“So you think you can please every woman?” she snapped.

“I do not think I can, I
know
I can, but I am only interested in pleasing one... my wife.”

“And what if you do not please me?”

Hunter laughed again, harder this time. “That will never happen.”

Patience’s hand fisted and she had all she could do to stop herself from throwing a punch that would surely knock him off his horse. “What if I find that particular wifely duty not to my liking no matter how much you boast about your exceptional skills?”

His smile faded, though it didn’t disappear entirely. “If you truly disliked sharing the intimacy part of our marriage with me, then I would only seek your bed when we decided on another child. Otherwise, I would find my pleasure elsewhere.”

Why did that disturb her? She knew of some women who were pleased that their husbands found their pleasures elsewhere and only troubled them on occasion. The idea, however, did not sit well with her.