“You are my wife,” he said, “and as such you will obey me. I know nothing about your people, and I can only deal with them when I meet them. But I do know how wives should act. I went to a great deal of trouble to have this dress made for you, and you are going to wear it.”
“No! I will not obey you! I am the MacArran!”
“Damn you!” he said, grabbing her shoulders and beginning to shake her. “This is not between England and Scotland nor between a laird and a clansman. This is betweenus—a man and a woman! You are going to wear that dress because I am your husband and I say you will!”
He stopped shaking her and saw that his words had made no impression on her. He bent and flung her over his shoulder.
“Release me!”
He didn’t bother to answer her as he tossed her on the bed, face down.
“Stop it! You’re hurting me!”
“You’ve done more than hurt me,” he retorted as his big fingers fumbled at the tiny buttons down the back of her dress. His legs straddled her. “Tonight I’ll show you the wounds Roger made on me. Hold still or I’ll tear this damn dress to pieces.”
Instantly Bronwyn lay still.
Stephen gave the back of her a look of disgust. “It seems that I get the most response out of you when I threaten to cost you some money.”
“We’re a poor country and can’t afford the waste that I see here in England.” She was quiet while Stephen worked on the buttons. “You…fought well this morning.”
He paused for a moment before he started again on the buttons. “That must have been hard for you to say, considering that you were hoping I was killed.”
“I wanted no one killed! All I wanted was—”
“Don’t tell me! I already know what you wanted! Roger Chatworth.”
It was an odd moment. Bronwyn felt strangely intimate with Stephen, as if they’d known each other for many years. She knew she couldn’t explain to him why she wanted Roger. She’d certainly tried often enough! Now it was almost pleasant to hear the note of jealousy in his voice. Let him think that she burned for Roger. It might do him good.
“There! Now get up and let’s get that dress off.”
When she didn’t move, he leaned over her and ran his lips along her neck. “Let’s not wait until tonight.”
His words as well as his actions made Bronwyn come alive. She quickly rolled out from under him. She grabbed the front of her dress as it fell forward. “I’ll put the dress on, but first you must leave.”
Stephen lay back on his elbow. “I have no intention of leaving.”
Bronwyn started to argue, but she knew it was no use. Besides, he’d seen her in wet underclothes twice before. At least this time she’d be hidden more completely by their dryness. She stepped out of the gown and carefully laid it across a wooden chest.
Stephen’s eyes watched her hungrily, and when she went to get the silver dress, he held it away from her so that she had to step very close to him to get it. He had time to plant one quick kiss on her shoulder before she moved away.
The heavy silver fabric was beautiful, and she ran her hand admiringly over the skirt before she slipped it over her head. It fit perfectly, hugging her small waist, flaring gracefully over her hips. As it settled about her body she looked up at Stephen in astonishment. The neckline was not the deep square that was fashionable but was high, all the way to the base of her throat, where a tiny collar of lace rested.
Stephen shrugged at her puzzlement. “I’d prefer that not so much of what’s mine be shown to the other men.”
“Yours!” she gasped. “Do you plan to always choose all in my life? Am I no longer to even select my own clothes?”
He groaned. “I knew your sweetness wouldn’t last for long. Now come over here so I may fasten it.”
“I can do it myself.”
He watched her struggle for a few moments before he pulled her to him. “Do you think you will ever learn that I am not your enemy?”
“But you are my enemy. All Englishmen are enemies to my clan and me.”
He pulled her between his legs and began to fasten the tiny buttons. When they were done, he turned her around, holding her fast between his knees. “I hope to someday teach you that I am more than an Englishman.” He ran his hands up her arms. “I am looking forward to tonight.”
Bronwyn tried to twist away from him. Stephen sighed and released her. He stood beside her, then took her hand in his. “The priest and our guests are waiting below.”
