Page 23 of Bride of the Beastly Laird

He hesitated, and for an instant she feared he would leave the table and accompany her, but he only nodded and turned back to his heaped platter leaving her to slip along the passageway in pursuit of the three men.

I must hear what is being said.

Catching sight of them at the end of a long corridor she took care to keep a safe distance. But they were out of earshot and she needed to be closer if she was to catch their words. To her relief they entered a room on the left of the passageway and she was able to hasten to crouch outside it. The door was slightly ajar and she could not only hear what was being said but see the men standing in the room.

She listened as Bairre’s scout told his story.

“I found the woman, Elspaith. She is, as was said, a healer. She recalled with great clarity an accident that had befallen Arran Mackinnon when melady and he had passed a wee while nearby, tae rest their horses.”

Bairre was standing, arms crossed, a look of deep suspicion on his face. She was alarmed to see his dirk at his belt, certain it had not been present when he’d been at her side at the table. He must have concealed it in his boot and now it was close by.

She closed her eyes, silently praying that Elspaith’s story matched that of hers and that Bairre’s suspicions would not find their mark.

The scout continued. “According tae her, a roof had collapsed, pinning a man, and Arran came tae the man’s rescue.” He turned from Arran to Bairre, who stood scowling, his eyes on Arran.

“She was full of praise fer Arran’s bravery and lack of concern fer his own wellbeing. It seems all the villagers owe him a great debt.”

Bairre huffed impatiently. “I dinnae care tae hear of the good will of a bunch of ignorant peasants. I’m concerned tae hear what kept Arran Mackinnon overnight with me betrothed.” His voice was an ominous growl that caused Dahlia a ripple of fear. It was clear he was still unconvinced there’d been nothing between herself and Arran that night.

“…she tended Arran’s wound. According tae her he’d taken a deep gash across his back and hip and some of the stones and timber had fallen, injuring his back, hitting his head and rendering him senseless. She stitched his wound and swore he was nae fit tae sit on his horse as he’d shed a great deal of blood and the blow tae his head had left him scarce able tae think straight.”

So far, so good. Dahlia held her breath waiting for the man’s next words.

“He stayed at Elspaith’s house and the Lady Dahlia was housed overnight with another woman and her two children. In the morning Arran was well enough tae travel. Some lass had laundered his bloody clothes and after Elspaith changed the dressing on his wound the two of them rode off.”

Dahlia slowly released the breath she’d been holding, as the scout, having told his story, took his leave of the laird and left the room to Bairre and Arran. She disappeared into a shadowy recess a few steps away, containing brooms and buckets and he passed her without glancing her way.

Once he had disappeared down the passageway Dahlia crept back to the open doorway of the study determined to hear what the two men were discussing.

Bairre was speaking, his voice loud enough for her to hear without missing a word.

“…I ken ye have great love fer her Arran Mackinnon and she’s more precious tae ye than anything. But if ye wish tae see her again ye’ll obey me commands. Ye’ll dae all in yer power tae ensure her wellbeing.”

Dahlia froze.Who is this woman Bairre speaks of? Arran has a wife?”In that instant her heart seemed to fall to her feet. The thought of Arran in love with another lass,married,caused a sharp stabbing pain in her belly and a dull ache in her chest. Itwas only then she understood how much he’d come to mean to her.

She’d stayed close to his side when he was injured, not only because of her kind heart, but because shewantedhim. It was his arms around her and his kiss she craved. She could never give herself to Bairre Mackinnon because Arran was the one she was interested in being with.

And now, it seemed, he loved another.

The blood pounding in her head, she turned her eyes and ears back to the conversation between the two men.

Arran grunted. “Ye’re a right bastard Bairre, naught better than a sheep-maggot.” An unholy growl issued from his throat; his mouth twisted in a snarl. “If ye so much as touch a hair of her head, if she’s hurt, I swear yer life will come tae a quick end at me hand.”

Bairre gave a mirthless laugh. “Until that time, ye’ll follow me orders. As ye ken, ‘tis only yer obedience tae me that keeps her alive. Ye’ve been fortunate this once. It seems there are witnesses tae vouch fer ye. But never forget, I will be watching. Just keep yer thoughts on yer precious Emilia and naught else. Now get out of me sight.”

Arran spun on his heel and strode from the room.

CHAPTER NINE

Aloud whimper would have issued from Dahlia’s mouth if not for her own hand clapped across her mouth to keep the sound inside. All she could think of was that Arran,her Arran, was in love with someone else.

All those moments when she’d caught the admiration in his eyes as he’d gazed at her, the thrill of his hand touching hers as he helped her to dismount, his kindness, his teasing, and the rush of terror she’d experienced when she’d seen him lying as if dead, injured and bleeding. The comfort that came over her when she lay at his side at Elspaith’s.

And the waterfall. When she’d burned for his kiss.

It was all a lie. He’d never been for her. All this time his heart had yearned forEmilia.

She turned to go just as Arran emerged from Bairre’s study. He looked at her, shocked. “What in hell are ye doing eavesdroppinghere? D’ye nae ken ye’ll be dealing with Bairre’s fury if he finds ye here?” He caught her arm and she shrugged him away, seized with sudden rage. To hell with Bairre and his temper.

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