Page 17 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance

Una held her ground for a heartbeat, then bowed her head, and slipped away without another word.

Torrance turned his fury on Esme. “Do you have any idea what could have happened to you? I couldn’t find you when I arrived home. You vanished without telling anyone.”

“I only walked to the woods as I have done occassionally,” she said quietly.

He took a threatening step towards her. “You are not to walk in the woods alone. Not ever. Do you understand me?”

She nodded, too stunned to speak, her brief escape already crumbling, then she thought about what Una had said to her about courage, and she surprised herself and asked, “Why?”

He scrunched his brow as if he didn’t understand her question.

“Why can I never walk in the woods alone? You never minded before now,” she said to make herself clear.

He took another step towards her. “Because I command it.”

She stayed as she was, though her legs weakened some, but her resolve held firm. “Am I in danger? Is that why you command it?”

His green eyes continued to blaze. “You dare question me?”

“I only wish to understand, my lord.”

“You don’t need to understand,” he said, stepping closer. “You only need to obey me, wife, a duty you seem to be failing.”

Esme’s resolve melted with the way he towered over her like a bird of prey who could devour her with one bite. She took a step back, hitting the thick tree trunk. She went to move but Torrance was quicker. He stepped closer, trapping her against it with his body while he rested one hand against the thick bark.

Instinct and fear had her offer an apology. “Forgive me, my lord. I will do better.”

“Is that a promise, wife?”

She kept her head down, not wanting to meet his eyes that surely raged with anger. “Aye, my lord.”

“Look at me when you answer me,” he snapped.

She raised her head slowly, fearful of seeing the fury in his eyes and of him seeing the fear in hers and extended an apology as she did. “Aye, my lord, it is a promise.”

Esme eyes held his, not sure of what she saw in them, though she thought the bold green color softened.

“What am I to do with you, Esme?’ he asked quietly.

She didn’t know how to respond to him, or what he expected of her. She said what she thought he would want to hear, though it slipped out as a question. “Whatever you wish, my lord?” His response shocked her.

“I wish to kiss you,” he said, and lowered his lips to hers.

She braced herself, remembering how harsh his kisses had been and was shocked.

His lips were gently against hers as if unsure, as if only becoming familiar with her. Faintly they brushed across hers causing an intense shot of pleasure to race through her. He must have felt or sensed it since his lips turned stronger against hers and surprisingly, and disturbingly, she responded. He kissed her with strength, and not a trace of harshness, and as if he could not get enough of her.

When he pressed his body firmly against her, she felt the hardness of his manhood poking her, and she gasped.

He ripped his mouth away from hers and pounded his fist against the bark. “You are a fool!”

She felt his sharp words like a slap in the face and turned her head away from him.

Torrance stepped away from her, anger returning to his eyes. Then he reached out and grabbed her arm, forcing her to keep step with his fast strides all the way to and through the village, people trying to avoid the troubling scene, and into the keep.

Once in the Great Hall, Torrance shoved her away and ordered, “To your bedchamber until I command otherwise.”

Esme was only too glad to seek refuge in her bedchamber, away from his anger and glances of pity from the servants.

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