The man lowered his mug to the floor and rose.
“I’ve heard stories about you, Brunt. I like none of them, but when you touched Dorset Sinclair, your fate was sealed.”
“She’s a witch,” the man hissed. “They all deserve to die for what they have done to me!” Brunt was a big man with beefy hands and a solid body. Ash knew the type; they intimidated with their fists.
“My wife is barren, and it’s their fault!”
He looked around for the pale mouselike woman. He’d heard how Brunt had treated her.
“She’s left,” he spat. “Dared to tell me I shouldn’t speak ill of them Sinclairs. I taught her a lesson.”
Ash didn’t hesitate; he stepped closer and slammed his fist into the man’s face. Brunt didn’t drop but howled as blood ran from his nose. He then ran at Ash, catching him in the middle. They crashed into a chair and fell to the floor.
“Leave me something,” Devon said from behind him.
Ash rolled and landed on top of Brunt, punching him again before regaining his feet. Brunt followed. He swung at Ash and connected with his jaw. Ash tasted blood. Raising his fists, he stepped closer and punched the man in the gut, then under the chin, sending him sprawling.
“That will do.” Devon grabbed the fist Ash would have used on Brunt once more. “My turn.”
He didn’t want to step away; he wanted to finish him. Wanted to make Brunt pay for hurting Dorrie, but her brother deserved that too.
Devon picked up Brunt and shook him like he was a bunch of rags.
“I owe you for the way you treated my eldest sister, Brunt, but her husband may pay you for that if he gets the chance. I now owe you for nearly taking my youngest sister from me.”
The controlled fury was pretty impressive to watch. Or it would be if Ash wasn’t consumed with a need to finish Brunt, hurt him the way he’d hurt Dorrie, and now, as it turned out, Essie. The woman he’d come to respect hugely over the last few days.
“Witches,” Brunt hissed.
“If I let Ash have you, he’ll kill you. I have no problem with ridding the world of vermin like you. Your wife may actually find some peace and happiness and marry another who could treat her as she deserved.”
“She’s my wife!”
“But what I am going to do is let the magistrate deal with you, Mr. Brunt. Attempted murder of my sister comes with a hefty sentence because I will make it so. You’ll either be travelling to the colonies or hanging at the end of a noose. But I will not have your death at the hands of my family. I will, however, ensure this village never sees your face again no matter what it takes. And remember that I have a marquis and a duke at my back. You don’t stand a chance.”
Ash’s body jerked at the words, knowing that Devon had included him as family.
“Come, we will leave now, Ash. And never see this man again.” Devon drew back his fist and dropped Brunt on his ass.
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
Two days after she’d been stabbed, Dorrie was seated in the great hall playing with some of her nieces and nephews.
Dev had told Dorrie she could not stay in Crunston Cliff after the stabbing. People would talk about her injury and the fact she had healed so quickly. She’d known he was right, but leaving had not been easy.
Leaving the people she’d cared for… and Ash. She loved him, and he’d come for her when she’d screamed. Dorrie had seen his worry when she’d woken in his arms. Seen the look of fury on his face when he’d confronted Murray Brunt. She’d also seen the shock when they explained to him about their senses.
What did he think of them now?
He felt something for her, she knew that, but she’d seen the look on his face when Dev had said “Don’t let my sister save you unless you want to marry her.” There had been more shock, but also fear.
Her body felt different now she’d given it to him. Dorrie doubted that was possible but felt it just the same. Or was it that she’d given him her heart that made her feel different?
It hurt deep inside her to know he wouldn’t love her back. Baron had told her to fight for him, but she wasn’t entirely sure how. Perhaps when he came here to say goodbye to Gus she would speak with him.
Would he recoil from her now he knew what they were capable of? Dorrie wished she’d had a chance to speak with him before leaving the village, but Dev had insisted she go immediately.
She’d gone back to the castle with Lilly and Somer, and into the arms of her family. Dev had stayed with Essie, knowing he could be saved if need be.
