Chapter 7
Malcolm did not haveto look down at Sheona to know she was nervous. He could practically feel her trembling beside him. He couldn’t blame her. His father was a formidable and unpredictable man and she, his enemy’s offspring, was about to meet him. Worse, she was his daughter by proper marriage and could not be used for any kind of retaliation against theMacLeod.
They waited on the battlements as the riding party approached. MacDonald war banners flapped in the wind, as the steady pounding of hundreds of hooves grew louder. His pulse kept time. Sheona drew a shaky breath and leaned into him when his father drew closer, a fierce scowl on hisface.
“All will be well, lass. He cannot harm younow.”
“Aye, he can. He can harm my kin and that would be just as bad as if he had inflicted the pain directly ontome.”
He supposed what she said made sense. He would not wish to stand by as any of his clansmen met their end. His father passed the gatehouse and dismounted in a fluid movement. His stride was quick as he took the steps three at a time to join them high above thebailey.
“What is this?” he asked as soon as he came alongsidethem.
Sheona shifted closer to Malcolm and he instinctively placed his arm aroundher.
“This is mywife.”
“I know that much, Malcolm. Rest assured, I have more loyal to me within these walls thanyou.”
“Then you know I took her from Bracadale and only later learned of heridentity.”
“Aye, I know that too. What I do not ken, is why you thought I would ever approve of you marrying this MacLeodfilth.”
Malcolm bit down hard on his cheek. He could read his father so well sometimes. By the way his gaze flicked down over her curves, his intent was clear. Despite his hate-filled words, he wanted her for himself just as Malcolm hadsuspected.
“Whether you approve or not is irrelevant, Father, as she is my wife in everysense.”
His father’s face turned red. “You’ve bedded the whore already?” He stepped close to Sheona, who paled. “If ye think to kill us in our sleep, lass, you will have to be more clever than any of your kin.” He grabbed her arm. “Perhaps you can warm all our bedsinstead.”
Sheona gasped as Malcolm pushed her behind him. “She is my wife and will only bed her husband. I will slay any man—any man—who dares lay a finger onher.”
“Is that so, lad? As your father and chief, I may claim anything of yours or of anyone who has pledged fealty to me. And there isn’t a power around that can opposeme.”
Malcolm stepped closer to his father and glared hard into his eyes. “You may be laird and chief here, father, but know this, no one will lay a finger on my wife. Are weunderstood?”
He watched as his father gritted his teeth. Would they come to blows over his new wife? He hadn’t thought that through, but he knew with certainty, he would spew his last breath protectingher.
After an age, his father’s grimace slackened off and he stepped back. Malcolm did not think for one moment that it meant he’d yielded. No, he would bide his time and come after them from a different angle, and Malcolm would be ready forhim.
“Take your whore to your chambers and bed her until you can no longer walk for all I care. And if your cock falls off from her filth, you have been dulywarned.”
As he strode away Sheona gasped. “Your father is every bit the rotten beast I always thought him tobe.”
Malcolm turned her toward him and gave her a penetrating stare. “Hear me wife, stay as far out of his line of sight as possible. Do you understand?” He hoped to God that shedid.
She nodded. “Aye, I will stay away from him, but the better question is will he stay away fromme?”
“There is no one I trust more than Keith. I will make sure he is with you whenever I am not. You will be safe,Sheona.”
“I cannot believe I am saying this, but I do trust you, Malcolm. I will stay out of your father’s way. But you need to know that I will not stand by and watch my clansmen betortured.”
“You will do nothing to interfere with my father or his guards, Sheona.” He must impress upon her how dangerous it was. “If you try to free the prisoners, you will be killed, but not before my father ensures you have experienced every degradation known to man. I cannot make that any plainer for you. I will return you to our chamber. You must stay there until I return for you oncemore.”
She frowned. “Where are yougoing?”
“To find out exactly how many of your clansmen my father captured and what he intends to do with them.” Malcolm stepped past her and held out his arm. “Come, let me get you safely tucked away before you draw even more unwantednotice.”
They walked in silence to their chamber—his chamber. Sheona paused outside the one she’d slept in the night before, the same one in which they had consummated their marriage just hoursago.
