“Did hetellyou the latest news, Iain?” Angus asked, keeping his icy blue eyes fixed on Duncan. “That he’s going to marry that English vixen, just so she’llkeep her mouth shut?”
“Aye,” Iain replied. “He just explained it to me.”
Angus glowered at Duncan. “It would’ve been more prudent just tokillher, do you not think? It’s what you should’ve done back at the fort nearly a week ago, and spared usalla lot of grief and effort.” Duncan rose from his chair and strode toward Angus, who backed up and looked at Iain. “Did he alsotellyou he agreed to lay down his sword in exchange for her silence? And that he agreed to spare Richard Bennett’s life?”
Iain shot a glance at Duncan. “Nay, he did nottellme that part.”
“I was about to,” Duncan explained.
He and Angus stood face-to-face in the center of the study. Angus spoke quietly. “Have you lost your fookin’ mind, Duncan?”
“I know what I’m doing,” he growled.
Angus paused. “But you shouldn’t have to give up everything you’ve fought for. You cannot let her talk you into letting Bennett live.”
“Don’ttellme what I can and cannot do,” he warned.
“The only reason you’re not drawing your sword to defend yourself right now is because I’m guessing you mean to forget the promise you made and take up your sword again the day after you speak your wedding vows. At least that’s what I hope.”
Iain stepped in to interject. He was shorter than both men and for that reason had to look up to address them. “But it would be ungentlemanly,” he said “to break a promise to a lady. Especial y the daughter of a duke.”
Angus glared down at him. “Ungentlemanly? Fook, Iain!
You may dress like an Englishman, but the last time I checked, you werestilla Scot. And you’re forgetting that your brother stripped the lassie bare in her bedchamber and tossed her over his shoulder like a sack of turnips when he carried her out of the fort. Then he tied her up and threatened to skin her like a rabbit if she tried to escape. So I think it’s a little late for good manners.”
Iainswallowed uneasily. “It’s never too late to be civil.”
Angus leaned down close. “You never had the stomach for war, Iain. You always left that to others, so I suggest you stay out of this.”
Iain’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He careful y backed away.
Duncan met Angus’s cold, hard gaze. “I gave her my word.
I’llnot be breaking it.”
“And what about your word tome?” Angus asked. “That together we would see my sister’s death avenged.”
Duncan felt an unexpected stab of guilt, which he quickly pushed aside. “I’llnot defend myself to you.”
A fierce moment of tension ensued; then Angus started for the door. “You may have pledged a vow to that Englishwoman, Duncan, but she heard no such vow from me.
I owe her nothing.”
Duncanfollowedhim into the corridor. “Do not take this into your own hands, Angus. Leave Bennett to me.”
Angus turned back. “Why? Does the fair English maiden mean that much to you? What about Muira? You loved her once. Can you forget her so easily? It hasn’t even been a year.”
There was the guilt again. He felt it in his chest. “I forget nothing. I only want to end the bloodshed. I’m sure it’s what she would’ve wanted.”
But did he real y believe that? He had no idea. He had not even considered it until this moment. He had been considering nothing but his own needs and desires.
“My sister would have wanted to see Richard Bennett’s head on a spike,” Angus argued, backing down the length of the corridor. “But you’ve chosen that Englishwoman over her and your friends, aswell.” His brow creased. “What’s happened to you, Duncan? Where is the man I knew—the brave Scot who fought beside me on the battlefield at Sherrifmuir? The fierce Highlander who raised his sword against tyranny and injustice? Have you forgotten everything your proud father raised you to be? Do you mean to forget Scotland, too?”
“I forget nothing,” Duncan replied. “I’llhave my vengeance.
I’ve taken Bennett’s woman, as he took mine.”
“But what the fook do you plan to do with her?”
