Jamie leaned back and sighed. “She angers me with her fear of me, ’tis true, for I did naught tocause it. But I’ll no’ send her away for that. I’ve heard your arguments, Colen. Now I’ll hear hers.”
“But she has none, none that make any sense.” Colen pressed his cause. “In good conscience, Jamie, you canna send her back to a beggar’s life.”
“If she stays, lad, there’s no guarantee she’ll marry you,” Jamie pointed out.
“I know. But I’d rather see her settled here, even married to another, than prey to scoundrels on the streets of Aberdeen. She’s too lovely for that.”
“’Tis glad I am to hear you say that, for I dinna want to see you hurt,” Jamie replied thoughtfully. “’Tis well you realize now that, if she stays, you’ll no’ be the only one trying to win her. Many will fall under the spell of her beauty, just as you have.”
“I’ve no doubt of that.” Colen grinned, apparently unconcerned.
Jamie was reflective for a moment, then decided to admit, “’Tis only fair I warn you, lad—she has an effect on me, as well.”
Colen raised a brow, then chuckled. “I dinna know why that should surprise me. So! No wonder her fear of you riles you.”
“That we should both desire the same woman is no’ a laughing matter,” Jamie said gruffly.
“I know. But there’s humor in it, since it has no’ happened ’afore.”
Jamie was incensed, for he found the situation highly disconcerting. After all, they were brothers. “And if I should set out to win her? You’ll no’ be thinking that so amusing, will you?”
“You’re welcome to try, brother, if ’tis marriage you have in mind,” Colen said seriously. “But if ’tis only another mistress you’re wanting, I’d no’ take kindly to that. The lass says she’ll marry only for love. I’ll no’ stand in the way if she chooses you freely. And you’ve already given your blessing if she chooses me. What could be fairer than that, eh?”
“You surprise me, lad.”
Colen grinned. “And you’re forgetting something, brother. Sheena trembles at the mere sight of you. I dinna think you’ll have much luck winning her. You frighten her so.”
If Colen had desired to bring Jamie’s anger over the boiling point, he had succeeded. “Fetch the lass!” he snapped. “It could well be she’ll find herself back in Aberdeen tomorrow and no’ have to contend with either MacKinnion brother!”
“Now, Jamie, dinna be rash.”
“Rash? Sweet Mary!” Jamie swore. “Fair is what I’ll be. Now bring her!”
Colen shook his head. “She’ll no’ come near you if you’re scowling like black thunder.”
Jamie managed a smile, though it was a dark smile. “Is this better?” he asked sarcastically.
“Ha! Not by much,” Colen grunted. “If the lass looks at you and flees, you’ll know why.”
Movement caught her eye, and Sheena turned to see Colen leaving the laird’s table. She knew his path would lead to her, and she wanted to get up and run away. She had already made one scene, and in front ofhim. She was determined not to do so again.
But when Colen spoke behind her, Sheena’s nerves shattered. “Lass, my brother wishes a word with you.”
“I’m no’ ready,” she whispered.
“He is.”
She turned around to look at Colen. His expression was unreadable. She couldn’t look up at the laird’s table though, to see what awaited her there. She had spent a miserable night alone, remembering every terrible story she had ever heard about James MacKinnion.
“I…I think I would rather wait, Colen,” Sheena said nervously. “Truly, I—”
“Sheena.” He cut her off. “The time has come.”
Knowing there was no choice, she rose and let Colen lead her to the raised dais, his hand firmly on her elbow. The closer she got, seeing James MacKinnion watching her every move with dark, hardened eyes, the more Colen had to force her along. When she came around the table, Jamie stood up, so his eyes didn’t leave her.
Standing before him, forcing herself to meet his gaze, she watched his jaw clamp down and wondered whathehad to be nervous about. She didn’t know that she caused it, that her eyes were wide and frightened. She didn’t even realize she was pulling back so hard that if Colen had let go of her arm she would have fallen backward.
“By the fire, Colen,” Jamie ordered, and a moment later Colen was pushing her down into one of the cushioned chairs, the laird of Castle Kinnionstanding in front of the hearth, his back to her. Colen sat down on a bench beside Sheena and gave her a reassuring smile. Then The MacKinnion turned around and pierced her with those brooding hazel eyes.
