Page 12 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance

Had she done something wrong? Was her nightdress not up far enough or up too far? Should she apologize but for what?

“Go to sleep,” he ordered curtly. “I have no desire for you tonight, though you will remain in my bed.”

Esme was stunned but not relieved. Remaining in his bed meant that he could desire her at any time. What if he woke her during the night or demanded she submit to him in the morning? The thought of not knowing when his desire would strike made her more anxious than ever.

She pushed her nightdress down and slipped beneath the wool blanket, moving herself close to the edge of the bed, hopingto keep her distance from him. She was about to turn away from him when she thought better of it. It would be wiser of her to keep an eye on him in case he changed his mind. She watched as he rid himself of his plaid, but left his shirt on, then he went to the hearth and stood in front of it, staring down at the flames. He had the finest features she had ever seen on a man and his body more toned with muscles than most other men. There was no denying why women found him desirable. But it was his cruel nature that made it impossible to care for him. She had tried, hoping her kindness would conquer his cruelty, but it seemed to feed it. He took great pleasure in treating her badly, an entertainment of sort to him, and she wondered what would happen once he grew bored with her. What then would be her fate?

A yawn escaped her, and she turned on her side away from him only too glad to let sleep claim her and be free of her worrisome thoughts for a while.

Torrance dropped in the chair in front of the fire, worn out from the day. It went easier than he expected, especially with the plan having been made in such haste. In time, he felt decisions would be easy to come by and once he found what he was looking for, the matter could be settled and hopefully benefit all.

Though one problem haunted him. He turned and looked at the bed. What would he do with her? It was a question that troubled him, and he worried she would present the biggest problem to his plan.

Time.

He would give it time. He stretched himself out of the chair and walked over to the bed. His wife hugged the far edge of it and that was fine with him. She was better off there. He didn’t want her anywhere near him.

He got into bed and kept to his side, grateful for the large bed and closed his eyes prepared to be gone from the bed before hiswife woke in the morning. The thought remained utmost in his mind as he fell asleep.

A sweet scenttickled his nose as Torrance woke, and he felt a pleasant warmth cradled against him. His arm closed around it drawing it closer to him and he ran his hand along it, enjoying the curving shape and soft feel—his eyes shot open.

His wife was cuddled against him, and she was awake, her eyes wide with shock and… fear.

He glared at her. “Go to your bedchamber and get dressed. Now!”

Esme scrambled out of bed, missing the footstool and falling hard on her bottom.

Torrance leaned over the bed and continued to glare at her. “You are the clumsiest woman I have ever known.”

“Aye, my lord,” Esme said and hurried to her feet with a wince and rushed to the door.

“Did you hurt yourself?” he yelled.

She didn’t stop. She yanked open the door and as she flew out of the room, she called out, “Nay, my lord.” And she wondered why he bothered to ask when he didn’t care a bit for her.

“Meet me in the Great Hall,” he yelled.

She raised her voice once again before reaching the stairs. “Aye, my lord.”

Once in her bedchamber, she took a much-needed breath. She was still stunned that she woke to find herself cuddled against her husband, his arm around her, and his hand exploring along her back and down over her backside. What shocked her even more was that as she woke, before her eyes opened, she felt a strange pleasure she wished to linger in. Onlyfor it to turn to fear, when she discovered her husband was the cause of it.

How had she felt pleasure in his arms? She shuddered at the terrible thought. Never. Not ever could she enjoy the touch of such a cruel man. But she had and it upset her.

She was grateful when Gwen arrived and helped her dress and plait her hair. She barely said a word to Gwen, and Esme guessed at what Gwen assumed and that upset her. She would spread the news that his lordship had done his duty last night and time would tell if his seed had taken root.

But no seed could root if it hadn’t been planted.

However, there was tonight and all the nights to follow. It would be so much easier if they coupled, and she got with child. Then he would leave her alone. A blessing for sure. After waking in his arms this morning, she believed there was a good chance that that might happen soon.

Once finished, Esme made her way to the Great Hall to find her husband already sitting at the dais, enjoying the morning meal.

“You took long enough,” Torrance snapped, then returned to his conversation with Brack who was sitting next to him.

She sat and ate, not much, but enough that her husband wouldn’t complain, though he wouldn’t know if she did or didn’t since he paid her little attention.

Tables were soon being cleared away as the few warriors who had taken their meal in the Great Hall departed. Surprisingly, the long wooden tables were once again set with food and drink.

Esme turned to her husband and quickly drew back, surprised that his face lingered so close to hers.

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