“We prefer peace but we have ties to other clans that we must support.”
“And you said you saw Ronan with the O’Brien?” Brighit asked.
“Yes. They were quite friendly. Roland called him a powerful man of great influence. When I realized he had abandoned you, I could not speak a single word to even question him. I left immediately. Please forgive me, sister.”
Brighit hugged her brother in a tight embrace. “It is forgiven. You were weighted down with many things.”
“If he is in collusion with the Godwinson, I’d venture his deception is quite good,” Peter said.
Tadhg dropped his head as if in preparation of something unpleasant. Peter braced himself. He could not allow Tadhg to take Brighit from him. Not now.
“Unfortunately, Sir Peter, I cannot overlook what I saw when I came in here. You were clearly abed with my sister.”
“Oh, Tadhg, not as you make it sound. Look at me! I am fully clothed.” She gestured to Peter. “He is fully clothed. What has happened here changes nothing in our lives. Please let it pass.”
Tadhg faced her. One eyebrow went up. Then the other. Raising one, long finger, he pointed to an area of Brighit’s chest. She dropped her head to see at the same time Peter turned to look. The sight of one very round, very wet spot, the size of Peter’s mouth and then some, revealed the outline of her dark areola. The spot of Peter’s attentions had yet to dry with the lack of heat in the room.
Peter expected it should be guilt that coursed through his veins at being found out but it was the tantalizing memory of that pearled nipple rubbing against his tongue that assaulted him. Desire shot to his groin.
Brighit’s eyes met his.
Neither spoke.
In a different place, he would have taken her. He would have loved her the way she deserved to be loved. To worship her body—a splendid body that roused him beyond anything he’d ever known. He would have lavished his love on her until they lay sated in each other’s arms, still refusing to let go. Ever. The tightness in his groin became unbearable.
“No defense?” Tadhg asked.
Peter knew that tone very well. He used it himself quite often. The one where you’ve caught someone in the act and there is no denying the facts. Although it wasn’t true in this instance, the cost of denying the facts was too great. Intimate details were not to be shared. Intimate details that were certainly not regretted. Intimate details he planned to repeat at the first available moment with a much more satisfying conclusion. Why deny facts that would get him exactly what he wanted.
“There is no need for defense.” Peter glanced toward her hoping she would sense his next words for her as well. “We’ve done nothing to be ashamed of. We’ve done nothing that needs to be defended.”
She looked lost, her eyes rounding in desperation. His heart hurt for her. “Please, sweet Brighit.”
When the tears welled, he was lost. He gathered her into his arms where she fit perfectly.
“There will be no more inappropriate behavior toward my sister.”
Tadhg’s grabbing at Peter’s arms to loosen his hold of her, got him a hard elbow in the ribs that resulted in a loudumph.
Peter moved quickly, lowering his lips to hers in a passionate lovers kiss she couldn’t resist, much to his relief. He leaned her forward to press her chest into his.
“Enough!”
When she worked her fingers into his hair, Peter fought for composure.
Tadhg looked ready to attack. His feet firmly planted. His body rigid. And across his face, the stoic look of murder. Peter still held his sword, however, which would make any move against him a foolish endeavor. Peter stepped away from Brighit but didn’t release her until she had found her footing. The kiss had ignited more quickly that he had anticipated. They were still smoldering with their unquenched desire.
“And if I had any reservations, I do not after that little display,” Tadhg said. “Thank you, Sir Peter, for clearing up any doubts I’d had.”
Peter smiled. Tadhg’s eyes narrowed.
“Whatever I can do to help the situation along.”
Brighit turned to face Peter. “What situation? What have you done?”
Emotions flitted across her face at the realization of what just happened. That Peter had all but admitted to Tadhg they’d indeed been intimate. A gasp of disbelief. Tight-lipped murderous rage. Outrage at his action? Oh yes. That expression he remembered quite vividly. The same one she had worn right before she slapped him across the face for intentionally revealing her nakedness. That had been misplaced outrage as she discovered that Peter had, in fact, not done it intentionally. This, however, was very well place. He knew exactly what he was doing.
He narrowed his eyes in warning. Perhaps she would remember what he said about her trying to slap him again. Brother or no, he would happily take her over his knee as promised.
