She looked at Colm’s lifeless form, surprised at her complete lack of regard for him. She could not even rouse herself to feel the smallest bit of sorrow at his death. Even if he had been somehow… possessed by the man Drust and Bren had called Mored.
“He wanted this castle… this holding. It belongs to my brother now”, she said proudly. “James was born to the laird’s first wife, Mairi. After she died he questioned her loyalty to him, going so far as to cast doubt as to whether James was truly his son. Anyone who knew Mairi knew that James was the laird’s true son, and no one could say why he slandered her so. Then he wed my mother, but she died when I was just a baby. My father sent me to live with my aunt, who had married an English lord. He didn’t have any need for a girl, you see. I grew up far away from Dunbroch… I didn’t even know I had a brother… until recently.”
She paused to take a breath, looking up, and Bren nodded encouragingly. For all that he was an imposing figure, especially splattered with blood from the recent battle, Willa immediately liked the Mac Coinnach chief. He gave an almost palpable impression of power and authority, and she could easily see how he commanded the loyalty of so many. Even so, there was an air of good humor and fairness about him that put her at ease.
“James found out that he had a sister, and he sent for me on my eighteenth birthday. When I arrived, I think my father realized that a daughter could be an asset after all, at least to bargain for land and alliances. He was… never kind to me, but I didn’t mind because as far as I was concerned he had long ago given up his chance to be a father to me. I’ve never felt beholden to him. When Colm offered for me, my father accepted. I don’t know what their bargain was for, I was told nothing of the arrangement, but I’m certain my father expected to gain something of value. Colm himself told me that we were to be wed. I… tried to get to know him better… to like him, but in the end I knew I couldn’t marry him. I know now that my instincts were warning me, because for all that he seemed to have honorable intentions, he was anythingbuthonorable.”
She felt Drust’s grip tighten just a little on her arm, his muscles tensing. “What did he do, lass, when ye denied him? Why were ye in hiding?”
Willa leaned back into his hard chest, feeling the security he offered. “He killed my father and took the castle. James and Maura helped me escape. Colm would have forced me to wed with him, and no one could have saved me then. Marriage to the laird’s eldest child would have secured his claim in the eyes of the other clans.
We headed north, through the mountains. James knew of an abandoned cottage where we could stay hidden while we gathered support from our allies to take back Dunbroch.”
Bren nodded. He had heard of the coup at Dunbroch, but at the time thought it naught but a family squabble, certainly not worth intervening. “And Drust? How is it ye came to have my brother with ye?” He knew Drust’s side of the story already, but he wanted to hear it from her.
“I found him in the mountains, near the entrance to a cave. Maura and I… we didn’t think he’d survive. He had lost so much blood… but we put him in the wagon and brought him with us.”
She turned and gave Drust a soft smile. Drust smiled back and Bren raised his eyebrows. He wouldneverhave thought to see a look like that on his brother’s face. Damned if he wasn’t inlove. Absolutely besotted! Bren grinned to himself. The Prophecy of Three was coming true. He had his own mate, and the very thought of her made his chest swell tight with love. Now Drust had found his mate as well, defying death to do so. That left only Eian. He winced at the very idea. Eian had always been the wild one, and with his devil-may-care attitude and his unending charm, he had all the women falling at his feet, and into his lap, and everywhere else. The notion that his rogue of a little brother could be tamed by any one lass… that he would even stay still long enough to fall in love… well, perhaps stranger things had happened…
Chapter 16
Drust didn’t want to let Willa out of his sight. He had sent someone to find a new gown for her to wear, and now he nervously helped her tie the laces in the back. It dawned on him that his was the first time he had ever helped a woman dress, and it seemed a far more intimate act than helping oneundress. He supposed that in the past, he had always left the woman he had been with still in the bed, usually right after they’d had sex. Staying long enough for her to get dressed again would have somehow implied that there was more to the relationship than just fulfilling a basic, physical need. He had never wanted a relationship beyond sex… until now.
There was a knock at the door, and Bren came in before either of them could answer. He gave Willa a smile before turning a serious face to Drust.
“Listen brother, I leave tonight for Creagmor, but ye should stay here for a few days and help these people resettle and put up stronger wards. Until we find out where Mored is and who else is involved, we must be extremely vigilant. Then… I want ye home. I need ye by my side at Creagmor.“ He turned his fierce gaze to Willa. “Lass, ye will be welcome in my home, should ye chose to return with my brother. I think ye would find it to yer liking, and my wife would be thrilled to have another woman at the castle. I’m afraid the women there are fairly outnumbered by the men, and though she hasna been there long, Faith is already trying to civilize us all.”
Willa smiled at the way Bren’s eyes turned soft and dreamy at the mention of his wife. “I will certainly consider visiting Creagmor with Drust, thank you.” She wanted so much more than to just visit, but what could she say? She and Drust had not yet spoken of what the next step would be between them.
Bren gave his brother a meaningful stare. “See that she does.”
Drust nodded and grasped Bren’s arm. “Aye, I’ll be home as soon as I can. And Bren… thank ye.”
***
In the bailey, people were everywhere, cleaning up and setting things to rights again as quickly as possible. In the castle, there was more of the same. Maura happily directed troops of servants and villagers alike as they all worked together, a palpable air of relief and happiness surrounding them. Willa, clean and rested after her ordeal and short-lived marriage, restlessly moved from one project to another. She just couldn’t keep her mind on any one thing, and she knew exactly why. She had barely seen Drust all day, since both of them had been hard at work. As twilight fell, that reason for her restlessness finally came into the hall. He caught her gaze and smiled. She smiled back as he came toward her. He took her hand and kissed her palm, making her stomach flutter and her knees a little weak.
“Lass, will ye walk with me in the gardens?”
“Of course.”
She slid her arm through Drust’s and together they walked out into the falling twilight.
James had seen them leave and started to go after them, but Maura stopped him with a firm hand on his arm. “Just where are ye going, husband?”
“That Mac Coinnach is leaving unescorted with my sister, that’s where I’m going!”
“Och, James, leave them be, they’re in no danger. Willa is safer with him than with anyone. Besides… she’s a widow.”
James gave her a quelling look. “Dinna remind me! But… as a man myself I am quite sure of what he has in mind, and…”
“Hush! I suppose that ye were perfectly patient and waited till yer wedding night to bedme?
“Well, no”, he admitted after a moment. “But she’s mysister, and I have to look out for her honor.”
“No’ tonight ye dinna.”
Drust led Willa away from the castle and into the stillness of the gardens. He had been out earlier in the day scouting the area and setting up new wards, and had found the perfect place to bring her, to be alone. When they stopped, Willa leaned into his arm and sighed. In front of them was the sea ledge, and the water spreading far out to the horizon where the last of the sunlight was sinking out of sight. Behind them was a hedge of wild roses, and the sweet smell drifted thickly on the balmy breeze. And between the sea and the roses was a soft carpet of fresh green grass. Willa sank down onto it and pulled Drust gently down after her.
