“Did you no’ receive my letter?” he demanded. “The one bidding you leave Rowan cottage?”
“I did.”
“Then why are you still here?” He added viciously, “You are not wanted.”
She licked her lip nervously, calling up a lie, no doubt. Against Finnan’s will, his gaze followed the motion of her tongue.
“As Geordie’s widow, I have a right to occupy his home.”
Finnan experienced a flash of rage. “The home I kept forhim, not you.”
“As his wife…”
Finnan let her get no farther. “Aye, you made damn sure of that, did you not? Buttoned it up all legal.”
“Mr. MacAllister, I am not quite sure why you have formed such a hard opinion of me.”
“Geordie was my brother-in-arms. Have you any idea what that means?”
“Certainly.” She raised that delectably rounded chin. “It indicates a close bond.”
“Bond? We were more than bonded. We were brothers beneath the skin. I would have done anything to defend him.” He added with a flash, “I would still.”
“Admirable.” Her chin jerked up still further. “Then where were you when he needed you in Dumfries?”
“Eh?” Did the bitch seek to chastise him? “Aye, I would have done well to be there and keep him from your grasp.”
“Think what you will, Master MacAllister.”
“Laird MacAllister.”
“What?”
“’Tis what I am, and what you will call me. I worked hard, suffered and bled, to claim this glen, and it is mine, every leaf and stone of it.”
“Oh?” Mockery invaded those seemingly sweet blue eyes. “Is it hard work, then, terrorizing a helpless old woman?”
“If you are speaking of Lady Avrie, there is naught helpless about that oldcailloch.”
“She is eighty years old.”
“And she bred a nest of vipers more terrible than she. I have already dealt with her son. Her grandsons have taken fright and run away.”
Jeannie Robertson—MacWherter—sneered at him. “Most honorable.”
“How dare you toss that word at me?” She, who had schemed over a man’s most vulnerable possession, his heart.
“I am surprised you know its meaning. We have heard of you since coming here, Laird MacAllister. It seems there is little to which you will not stoop for your own gain.”
He smiled viciously. “You had better believe it. Now will you take warning and vacate Rowan Cottage?”
“I will not.”
“Then run on your way, Mistress MacWherter. But I warn you—best to watch your back.”
****
Jeannie, calling hard on her dignity, walked away from Finnan MacAllister, trembling in every limb and willing herself not to let him see how badly her knees wobbled beneath her. The vile bully! Did he think he could threaten and verbally bludgeon her into leaving the only home she and Aggie had?
