Page 14 of The Beast's Bride
His daughter’s expression didn’t change. She continued to watch him with that bullish look he’d come to know well over the years. “And does it?”
“No!” Spittle flew from his mouth as he boomed out the answer. “The greedy bastard knows we hunt deer on that land. They belong to me, and I’ll not give them up.”
Malcolm reached for a cup of milk he’d had a servant bring up. Hopefully it would do the trick and soothe his acid stomach. “We may soon have to face off against the Frasers,” he said once he’d taken a gulp, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “I’ll not start a feud with Baltair MacDonald over something so trivial.”
His daughter glared back at him, fury radiating out from her. However, he didn’t care that she was angry. He’d been far too lenient with her over the years.
“This incident makes it clear to me that once ye are wed I will need to find Adaira a husband before winter arrives,” he informed Rhona. “The lass dances about Dunvegan as flightily as a brownie. She’ll ruin herself before long if things continue.”
“I told ye before, father,” Rhona ground the words out, her voice hoarse with barely suppressed temper. “Adaira was not to blame. Baltair cornered her.”
Malcolm reached for his quill once more. He’d had enough of her prattle. “Keep silent about this,” he warned her. “If I hear whispers of this story, I shall have ye whipped.”
“But, Da—”
“Leave me now, Rhona.” He waved her away. “I’ve a letter to write.”
A grey dawn broke over Dunvegan Castle, bringing with it a misty rain. Dressed in plaid braies and a léine belted at the waist, Rhona exited the keep and walked toward the training yard.
Despite the morning’s gloom, it wasn’t cold. The misty rain kissed her skin, and the air smelt alive and fresh as only dawn air could. Rhona loved this time of day, the early dawn in that short time before the castle awoke. However, this morning she wasn’t in the mood to enjoy it.
Her father’s dismissive attitude the day before still stung. His complete lack of concern for Adaira’s wellbeing enraged Rhona. All he cared about was keeping the peace with the MacDonalds. He hadn’t even been able to listen to her properly, his thoughts focused instead on his petty feud with the Frasers.
Unhappiness warred with anger this morning though. She was used to her father’s stubbornness. However, being dismissed by him only days after he’d made such a heavy-handed decision about her future, made Rhona feel as if he didn’t care for her at all.
He just wanted her wedded and out of the way.
A man stepped out of the dawn’s mist ahead—a tall, broad-shouldered figure that she’d know anywhere.
“Good morning, Lady Rhona,” Taran greeted her.
“Morning,” Rhona answered, her voice as lacklustre as her spirits.
Taran’s scarred visage tensed as he drew near. “Is something wrong?”
She shook her head. “I slept badly, that’s all.”
He raised an eyebrow. “We can practise another time if ye are not feeling up to it?”
“I’m well,” she snapped, rolling up the sleeves of her léine. Truthfully, she needed something to distract her from her thoughts. The games were just ten days away now—the date loomed before her like an execution.
“Last time ye showed me how to break a man’s hold if he grabbed my arm,” she said walking past him into the training yard. “This time I want ye to show me what to do if a man catches me from behind.”
“Very well,” he replied, following her into the yard. “As ye wish.”
Rhona stopped in the center of the yard and waited. A moment later she heard the scuff of Taran’s boots as he stepped up behind her. Then his arms went around her, clasping her tight.
The contact made Rhona stifle a gasp of shock. She’d never been in such close physical contact with a man. It was a strange, unnerving sensation.
“Can ye break free?” Taran asked. His voice was gruff. He was so close that she felt his breath feather against her ear.
Rhona tried to move but found herself locked, as if in an iron cage. “No.”
“If a man grabs ye like this, the first thing ye want to do is try to head-butt him in the face. Now … throw yerself back against me and try to break my nose with the back of yer head.”
Rhona smiled. “Really?”
“Aye … try it.”
