Page 29 of The Highlander's Dangerous Bride

Then she heard a light tap at the door of the study, and when it was opened, a woman spoke.

“There ye are ye young rapscallion,” she said laughingly in a pleasant, light voice.

“Muriel!” Thorsten crowed, clearly happy to see Muriel, whoever she was.

“Och, he ran off once he heard ye were home, Arne, and I’ve been chasin’ him ever since. I hope he hasnae done anything naughty!”

“Muriel, ‘tis good tae see ye. How are ye?” Arne asked in a soft voice full of affection.

“Run off me feet by that wee tinker,” the girl replied jokingly.

Arne laughed. “He is a tinker tae be sure. He was a wee bit naughty fer runnin’ in here just as some visitors were bein’ shown out. Ye nearly knocked their feet from under them, did ye nae, me love? He daesnae ken his own strength!” The adults laughed.

“Sorry, Da, I wanted tae see ye,” came Thorsten’s little voice.

“I ken, me lad, but I only just got back, and I was comin’ straight tae see ye after talkin’ tae Uncle Haldor. I’ve missed ye.”

“Me too, Da.”

“Now, I have a wee bit of business tae finish up here, and then I’ll come up and see ye. So, ye must go with Muriel now, there’s a good lad.”

“All right, Da.”

“I’ll come as soon as I can.”

Raven heard the door close.So, she concluded,Muriel is obviously Thorsten’s nursemaid. That’s tae be expected in the circumstances.But the knowledge did not stop the molten jealousy that suddenly erupted inside her.

The memory of Arne’s voice, so soft and affectionate as he addressed Muriel was like knives stabbing her flesh. It was as if that same giant hand had reached inside her again and was squeezing her heart, stealing her breath. Already half suffocating with the lack of air and her nose stuffed up from weeping, she dug her finger nails into her palms to stop herself from screaming.

The cupboard door opened suddenly, and there was Arne, and from the expression on his face, she could see he was shocked. Nevertheless, he helped her climb out of the confined space. She eased out her cramped limbs, trying to hide her face, which she knew must be red and puffy. Why she cared what he thought of how she looked, she did not know, but somehow, she did. She told herself it was because she did not want him to witness her emotional state.

Once she was free, she cleared her throat, smoothed her skirts and hair, and surreptitiously wiped away the tears from her cheeks with her sleeve. Only then, did she feel ready to face the two men head on.

“Well, that was interestin’,” Arne said sarcastically. “’Tis one way tae find out she’s been married tae another man all along, I suppose. Now I finally understand all the secrecy.” Raven cringed inwardly at his tone.

“Ach, leave the lassie be fer a minute, Arne. Ye can see she’s upset. That cannae have been very pleasant for her tae hear all that, and Thorsten too,” Haldor said, giving Raven an understanding and sympathetic look. She smiled weakly at him in gratitude. “She hasnae seen the lad fer three years.” He looked expectantly at Arne and added, “Are ye nae gonnae introduce us, then?”

Arne gave a short, bitter laugh before he said, “Haldor, this is Raven MacDonald, apparently.” He paused to glare at Raven before continuing, “Raven, this is me braither Haldor, the Viking Laird of Harris.”

Raven bobbed a small curtsey as she looked up into the Laird’s eyes that were disconcertingly like Arne’s. “’Tis a pleasure tae meet ye, melaird. I’m sorry about all that just then, me hidin’ from those men and all. Ye must think me mad. Thank ye fer nae tellin’ them I was here,” she said, hating the way her voice was trembling.

“I’m glad tae meet ye too, Raven. I admit I was a wee bit puzzled why ye jumped intae the cupboard like that, but there was nay chance of us givin’ ye away. While ye’re under me roof, ye’re under me protection, eh, Arne?”

“Hmmm,” Arne muttered noncommittally.

Haldor went on, “Besides that, ye’re Thorsten’s Ma, and that counts as family with me. Ye’re welcome here at Castle Macleod, Raven, fer however long ye wish tae stay.”

“Thank ye so much fer yer kindness, melaird. I’m very grateful,” Raven replied, almost moved to fresh tears by his generosity.

“’Tis all very well sayin’ she’s family and defendin’ her, Haldor, but I am still nae sure about this. She could have told me all this a long time ago. Daes she think I wouldnae have protected her? She chose tae leave, and she chose tae keep her past from me,” Arne said, frowning at her, clearly not appeased so easily.

“I’m sure she must have had her reasons,” his brother replied, still looking kindly at Raven. It seemed the laird was prepared to give her the benefit of the doubt, while Arne stubbornly refused to do so, and she was glad of the unexpected support. It was a far warmer reception than she had expected.

“I certainly have a lot of questions that she needs tae answer, right now!” Arne said in a disgruntled tone.

“Aye, I’m sure ye two have a lot tae talk about. I’ll leave ye in peace and go and tell Sofia Raven’s here,” Haldor said diplomatically. He left then, shutting the door firmly behind him.

Arne turned at once to Raven. “Well? Are ye gonnae tell me who this husband of yers is? And nay more lyin’!” he demanded.

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