“I am ungraceful in my mannerisms, unbiddable compared to my sisters. A tormenting witch, as he has reminded me oftentimes, and deserving of a husband’s heavy hand to keep me on the Almighty’s straight path of common decency.”
Just remembering that jumbled mass of nonsense made Adam’s head hurt. “Ye have memorized these hurtful lies?”
“Burned into my brain forever.”
“Shite,” he said without regret. “I had not realized how horrible yer circumstances truly were.”
Kali shrugged. “As far back as I can remember, every Sunday, from morning until evening, I was forced to stay on me knees in constant prayer. I was permitted only one sparse meal and some water. Then, before bed, me father would whip me for no reason. Claiming the good Lord said spare the rod, spoil the child.”
“I am verra sorry.”
“’Tis no fault of yers.”
He couldn’t disagree more. He’d had a hand in bringing her here by supporting his father’s decision to accept her as a way to pay off their longstanding debt to her father. On many occasions, his sire had offered Bane gold to cancel the debt, but the selfish and shrewd man had refused and said one day he would think of a better way to claim repayment. The bastard had finally delivered on his promise.
“I have many examples of me sire’s cruelty, some worse than others. But his greatest sin, the one thing I can never forgive him for, is how he treated me mam. She went to the grave early because of him, though I believe ’twas God’s merciful way of sparing her another day of his abuse.”
Adam closed his eyes and imagined what it must have been like to live under such oppression. Especially for a helpless lass unable to defend herself. He opened his eyes and gazed at Kali with the deepest of admiration. “There are ways to take revenge.”
Her elegant brows shot up. “I am not one for violence.”
“Not violence,” he assured her.
“What then?”
He tugged their joined hands onto his lap so she had to turn and face him again. “Live.”
“Live?”
“Thrive.”
“Aye.” She seemed to understand now.
“Prosper, regardless of yer circumstances. What better way to spit in the bastard’s eye?”
She rewarded him with a soul-warming smile—soul-stealing, really. Pretty white teeth, each one a precious pearl, and perfectly formed lips stole his attention. And the sound of her tinkling laughter… He was doomed. Cast into the pits of agony because this untouchable—forbidden—woman stirred something inside him that had long been dormant. Perhaps never there before. There were dozens of local lasses worthy of his affection and respect, but they all paled in comparison to this striking woman. She was fire and ice, sunlight and moonlight, sweet and bitter, and any other paradox his addled mind could come up with.
“Why are ye staring at me?” she asked, appearing uncomfortable.
“I hold ye in the highest esteem, lass—yer tenacity and iron will to survive.”
Again, her features softened at his words. Aye, he’d have to tread carefully with this one. She missed little if anything. If only he could reach out and caress her cheek—provide comfort and reassurance with tender kisses.
For a brief moment he forgot himself and leaned closer, his mouth hovering just above hers. Adam’s heartbeat intensified, and his mind swirled with anticipation of how she would taste.What it would feel like to hold her in his arms?But as their gazes clashed, he remembered her words, how men always wanted something… Damn it, she was beautiful and smelled so lovely and looked so perfect.
Be the honorable man ye were raised to be…
Chapter Seven
On the tenth day after Kali’s arrival, surrounded by the children and joined by Raini, they made the perilous walk up to the base of the mountain overlooking Kearvaig Bay and the North Sea. They were on the hunt for fresh blaeberries to mix with their evening porridge. It was an excuse to take the fresh air, and Kali had come to love the scents associated with the sea as well as the sounds of the gulls and the other birds that nested along the cliffs and beach.
Raini was miraculously nimble for an old woman with a cane—and the seer led the way with enthusiasm.
Never had Kali seen such sights, not that she could remember, nor had she been blessed to inhale the fragrance of the moors where heather thrived and sheltered the berries they sought. Aye, ’twas beautiful to behold, and she didn’t mind the challenge it gave her, walking the long distance from the tower and getting used to how her ears popped as the elevation increased.
She had been confined to the manor house and the gardens at home, seeking occasional freedom at night. This was glorious and empowering—nature—the good Lord’s handiwork—stretched out before her.
“Ye are like a wee child,” Raini observed with a grin. “Tasting the delicacies of a strange land for the first time.”
