Page 39 of Midnight Conquest

She edged back, her spine striking the central tent pole. Her breath hitched. “What are you doing?”

He stopped inches from her, his forearm braced against the post above her head. “What do ye think?” He purred, his breath brushing her cheek. “Isnae this why ye came?”

Her gloved hand shot up, pressing against his chest. “Is this what you do to every woman who asks for a palm reading?”

“Nay.” His grin widened. “Only auburn-haired goddesses seekin’ pleasure.”

Davina’s glare could have cut through stone, but it didn’t stop him from leaning closer, inhaling the faint floral scent beneath her cloak. And then it hit him—blood. Not the faint, tantalizing aroma always hidden beneath her skin, but stronger, fresher. His eyes narrowed.

Broderick reached up and yanked back her hood. The sight of her face made his chest tighten. Her left eye was swollen, purple and blue, and her bottom lip was split, the edges crusted with blood.

“Who did this to ye?” His voice deep and dangerous.

Davina turned her head, trying to pull the hood back up, but he caught her wrist. “It’s none of your concern.”

“The hell it isnae,” he growled. His grip tightened—not enough to hurt her, but enough to keep her from running off. “Tell me.”

She yanked her arm free, her eyes blazing. “I didn’t come here to talk about that.”

“Then why did ye come here?” His voice softened but stayed biting. “Because if ye think ye can keep secrets from me, lass, ye’re mistaken.”

Davina glared at him, the angry swelling on her face punctuating the tension, her arms wrapped tight around herself. Her gaze darted toward the table, the lantern light flickering, but she didn’t meet Broderick’s eyes. She was stiff, guarded, and yet she lifted her chin defiantly, her lips pressed into a determined line.

“I wasn’t entirely truthful with you earlier,” she began. “When you met me on the road last night.”

Broderick said nothing, but his dark eyes narrowed, fixed as if he could pull the truth from her without saying a word. She shifted under his scrutiny.

“When we…met in Aberdeen, you already knew I was married,” she said as though forcing her words out. “To Ian.”

Broderick’s jaw tightened, but still, he didn’t speak.

“As you learned back then, he mistreated me.” Her tone was flat, matter of fact, as though it had been ground down by time. “That night, when I came to you…” She faltered and glanced at him—just a flick—then looked down. “I needed an escape. Just for one night. I’d never known what it was like to…enjoy it. To feel something different. Something that wasn’t pain.”

Broderick didn’t move, didn’t blink, but his thoughts snarled. She spoke like a confession, aye—but without shame. It was steel, not sorrow, in her spine. Guilt lived in her eyes, but it wasn’t the kind that begged forgiveness. She owned her choices.

“When Ian died at Flodden,” she continued, “I saw my chance.No more overlords. No more being bartered like cattle. I forged a marriage contract. Sent it to my uncle in Aberdeen.”

One dark brow arched, but he let her speak.

“It worked,” she said, a flicker of pride curling her lips. “He stopped pressing me to remarry.”

“And how long did that last?” Broderick drawled. “Tryin’ to hide a fake husband from yer kin? Reckless, lass.”

She gave a rueful smile. “You’re not wrong. He wanted to meet my husband. To be sure Father’s business was in good hands. So…” Her fingers twisted at the hem of her cloak. “I convinced the stable hand’s son, Liam, to play the part.”

Broderick blinked. His lips twitched like he might laugh. “Ye put a lad from the stables in yer husband’s boots?”

“Aye,” she snapped, color rising in her cheeks. “And itworked.My uncle asked his questions, stayed a few days, and then left convinced.”

But the edge of confidence dulled on that last word. She pulled herself taut.

Broderick stood straight, arms folded. He watched her, the way she jutted her chin forward, how her gaze dared him to judge.

She was lying by omission. Skating over the worst of it. But not out of cowardice. Out of pride. Out of sheer, ferocious will.

He had to admire her.

“And now?” he prompted.

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