Page 19 of The Veiled Wish of a Highland Bride

“Leave me be, woman. I have nae time for yer whining today.” Bram avoided her eyes, clearly put off by her outburst.

Tears welled up in Mia's eyes. “Nae, Bram. I will nae be silent, nae this time. For a year now, I have said naething. When ye ask me to leave, I leave. When ye ask me to be quiet, I keep my mouth shut. Nae more.” She walked over to him. “Why will nae ye touch me?” she said, placing her hand on his chest, caressing him up to his neck and lowering his face to hers. “Why will nae ye just—"

Mia was cut short by Bram's hand on her shoulder, pushing her backwards. Reeling, her hip hit the edge of the desk as she staggered back.

“I said, leave me be!” he yelled and got off his chair, storming out of the study and slamming the door behind him.

I cannae do this nae more.

Mia crumbled to the ground. She held her face in her hands and began to sob. She must have been there for minutes, but it felt like hours. When she managed to pick herself up, her resolve was set in steel.

She dusted off her clothes, picked up a paper and quill from Bram's table, pushed aside the remnants of her guilt, and began to write.

CHAPTEREIGHT

Even in the hearts of the toughest of men there existed burdens so heavy they could not manage them alone. For Archie, he often found that a good ride was enough to soothe them for a while. As the Murray ball was over and done with, he began preparing for the trip home.

He rode down into the valley between the lands of Clan Murray and Clan Campbell, taking in the rolling mountains and swaying fields.

Archie inwardly dared the men who had accosted him the night before to try their luck again. He blamed his easy capture on his slight inebriation, and refused to acknowledge the lingering pain in his body.

The Murray Clan and the Macnab Clan had never been at odds with each other, but Archie could not say for certain that the surrounding clans did not have a thing or two against him. His reputation was hardly spotless, despite the devotion to and of his Clan.

Archie thought about Laird Murray, but he did not scare him. He still desired the man’s wife so much he could barely breathe. He stood fantasizing about the feel of her skin as he looked over the valley.

A part of him was glad she had witnessed his capture. Without it, he doubted he would ever have had the chance to touch her in the way he had. Archie berated himself for having refused her request the first time. More than her perfect body, he felt an unexplainable urgeto protect her. Her delicate frame aroused him but rendered him concerned for her to boot.

And hehatedher husband for taking her for granted.

As Archibald made his way towards the thicket where he had left his horse, he ran a hand through his hair. He had donned a new set of clothes, with his plaid sash thrown across his shoulder and a brooch with the emblem of the Macnab house atop it glinting in the sun.

Archibald had thought that all Lairds would be invited to stay inside the Murray keep but, by word of Lennox, their tardiness had seen them sent to the tavern. It did not matter. It was wiser to stay away for Mia’s sake, and to prevent more of Lennox's nagging.

He brushed a hand over his horse’s mane and set off back into the village.

Almost as soon as he had ridden into town, a footman from the keep hurried towards him, panting and squawking, "My laird!" with what seemed to remain of his voice.

"I have found ye," he blurted as he arrived at Archibald's side, a triumphant sigh escaping his lips.

Archibald watched the footman closely, giving him a few minutes to catch his breath. “What is it, boy?” he asked after a while.

He puffed out his cheeks. "This is a letter for ye, my laird," he said breathlessly, keeping his head bowed as he extended the letter.

Archie was hesitant to accept any word from Murray, but decided it was best to put the footman out of his misery and take the note, hastily dismissing the boy, worried that his presence would draw too much attention.

Trying to calm his spirited horse, he unfolded the note and began to read.

Dearest Laird Macnab,

Surely you remember our remarkable encounter just yesterday and your agreement on what we had previously discussed.

I choose to hold you at your word today and hope you are willing to spare me a little of your time for my very first lesson.

I do wish you will not refuse. Meet me before dark by the gentle slope before Loch Tay.

There, I will be waiting.

M.M

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