Page 56 of How to Heal a Highland Heart
“Whatdolairds have time for?” she asked. Gone was his mouse wife and in her place was a she-wolf. Very bold and worrisomely clever.
He paused and faced her. She was going to make him be more definitive, outline his battle position more clearly. Because itwasa battle for him, for his self-preservation. “During the day, all I have time for—all I will ever have time for—are my duties to the clan.”
When she looked as if he’d struck her, his chest ached, and he thought to soften the blow and bring the she-wolf, however worrisome, back. He started to reach for her face, to run his fingers down the slope of her cheek, but he drew his hand back when his fingers were but a hairsbreadth from her skin. “At night, though, when we are alone in our bedchambers, I will see to my duty to ye.”
He expected to see relief on her face, but instead, her eyes narrowed. There was the she-wolf. “Ye think our time together aduty?”
He could have said no. Because it was the God’s truth. He didn’t think of it that way at all, but he needed to think of it that way. “Aye. Ye are my wife, and it is my duty to pleasure ye.”
A flush tinged her cheeks, and her nostrils flared. “What are yer duties to me during the day?” she demanded, her tone now scathing.
He blew out a frustrated breath. This was going much worse than he’d imagined, but maybe it was best that she was angry now. She could accept how it was going to be, and then they could set into a pattern they both could live with. “To see to yer safety, train with ye, and to be here if ye need me to settle disputes for ye.”
“I see,” she bit out. “Well, ye can consider yerself relieved of those duties!”
“What? Ye kinnae relieve me of—”
“I can, and I did!” She poked him hard in the chest, then looked past him. “William!” she bellowed.
Brodee followed her gaze to the rocks where William was picking his way toward them. He looked back to his wife. “What are ye about, Patience?”
She pressed her lips into a thin line and did not say a word until William was nearly upon them. At that point, she arched her eyebrows at Brodee. “William can take me to the kitchens, so I dunnae need ye to see to my safety this day.” Before Brodee could speak, Patience looked to William. “Do ye mind, William?”
William glanced to Brodee, and though he had the sudden urge to shake his head so William would decline, Brodee nodded, knowing it was for the best, even if it did not feel that way.
“Of course nae, my lady,” William answered.
“See that Fergus goes to the kitchens to await Patience,” Brodee instructed.
Patience set her hands on her hips as she scowled at him. “By the by, I dunnae need ye to train me anymore. William generously agreed yesterday.”
“I did?” William asked, his mouth parting.
Brodee frowned. Jealousy slithered through him like a snake, despite how foolish it was. William had agreed to no such thing, Brodee was certain, and William would never lay a hand on Patience. Still, jealously warmed his blood and he found himself clenching his hands into fists. He forced himself to nod again, not arguing what she’d said. William was an excellent fighter, and he could train Patience well. It was perhaps best—again.
“Aye,” Patience said, her attention on William. “Dunnae ye recall?”
A flick of William’s eyes to Brodee and an imperceptible nod later, William cleared his throat. “Aye, I, er, just recalled the conversation.”
Patience’s shoulders drooped with obvious relief, but then she focused her gaze on Brodee once more. She drew herself up to her full height while shoving her shoulders back and lifting her chin. She was glorious. He wanted to lay her down, spread her thighs, and—Christ. She made him weak.
“There,” she growled. “Two of yer duties are nae a concern of yers any longer. As to the third…” She poked him once more in the chest, to which William coughed and turned his head. “I have a mind of my own, and I can hold my own counsel. I dunnae need ye to settle disputes for me, unless ye insist on it, and then I will have to bow to yer command, as it seems I am again beset with alord and master.” She sighed and crossed her arms. And a beat later came when she was looking beyond them, clearly done speaking came, “Never a partner. Never that.”
William’s gaze locked with Brodee’s, and Brodee gave a slight shake of his head. He did not wish William to point out to Patience or even acknowledge that she had once again mumbled her thoughts aloud. His gut twisted that he’d hurt her, but he had to let things be as they were.
“I dunnae insist it,” he said in a quiet voice. “Ye are an intelligent woman.” She glared at him, and he sighed. “If ye need my counsel, ye have but to ask.”
“I’ll nae be asking,” she snapped.
He acknowledged her comment with a tilt of his head. To William, he said, “Come find me at the west shore after ye have delivered Patience to the kitchens and fetched Fergus.” To Patience, he said, “I will see ye at supper.”
“I dunnae think I’ll be hungry.” She turned on her heel and stormed off toward the kitchens. William shot Brodee an annoyed look and then quickly followed Patience.
Brodee made his way down to the sea, thoughts of what had just happened haunting him with every step. On the one hand, he was glad Patience had asserted herself. It showed a level of trust in him that he’d never hurt her, even if she defied him, and it also showed she was discovering her inner strength, and he found that very alluring. He frowned. He did not want to be allured by her. At least not in the daytime. God, he was a clot-heid. His brow furrowed as he considered the exchange further. It was actually not entirely good that she felt the need to stand and assert herself because that meant he’d wounded her pride and that made him feel like a pure savage. He knew he’d hurt her, and that hurt him in turn. Between the desire she’d stirred in him earlier and his confusing emotions regarding what had just occurred, he wanted to dive into the sea and quiet his thoughts for a bit.
Usually, the sea did that for him. He found a secluded spot at the west side of the castle and stripped down to nothing before wading into the cold water. Immediately, his body found a reprieve from the desire that was hammering him, but his mind did not quiet. He dove under the waves, hoping the cold would numb his thoughts, as well, but even in the complete silence found only beneath the water, his thoughts were still loud. And all of them were of Patience.
