Page 19 of Highlander’s Dangerous Love

“I am bein’ as reasonable as I can, given the circumstances! Everyone I ken is keepin’ secrets from me!” he shouted.

“The circumstances? Look, I am sorry about ye an’ Gemma, but we are close. I cannae give her up so easily!” He held up his hands in surrender and gingerly backed away. Still, Bryce advanced.

“That’s not all there is, though, is it?” Bryce asked. The fire only cast light on half of his face, and it made him look quite spooky indeed.

“Wha…what else is there?” Colin asked, utterly confused.

“Dinnae pretend like ye dinnae ken, ye son of a traitor!”

Well, that was new. Bryce had never insulted Captain Frazier before, so to hear him go after his father with such anger completely switched Colin’s mood. It was enough to fight over a woman, but to insult a man’s father, and one so close, who’d taught him everything he knew about battle? Well, that was another thing entirely.

“Traitor?! What can ye mean?”

“Dinnae act so innocent!” Bryce snarled.

Colin was completely taken aback by his best friend’s sudden threatening behavior and accusatory words.

“Bryce, I cannae help ye if I dinnae ken of what ye speak. Truly, I have no earthly idea of what ye speak.”

Apparently that was enough to convince Bryce of his own innocence. The man’s shoulders relaxed, and he took a step back.

“So ye really dinnae ken.”

“Nay. Why would ye speak of my family like that?”

“Yer father dishonors the clan, by lying with my mother, in the bed that she is supposed tae share with my father, and my father only.”

If Bryce had punched him in the gut, it would have felt the same as hearing those words. It might have even hurt less.

“Ye…my father…what?” Colin could barely form the words in his head, let alone his mouth.

“I caught them. After the hunt. I was walkin’ back tae my chambers for a rest, an’ I heard laughter from my parents’ bedchamber. I went tae see what my mother could be laughin’ about, an’ caught yer father in bed wi’ her, in the most intimate of ways.”

Colin’s heart thudded heavily in his chest, and blood rushed to his ears and cheeks. It was indeed a dishonor to the clan; that he could not deny, but…Colin also had other thoughts on his mind. Everyone always commented on how alike he and Bryce looked; how if they did not know better, they would swear they were brothers. Perhaps this affair had gone on longer than any of them could know…which would mean…a catastrophe. If Colin’s running mind was correct, then…Bryce may not be the laird’s son after all. And this behavior…it could be…him trying to secure his future and place in the castle. Colin wondered if Bryce shared these thoughts, but it was impossible to read anything other than anger in his expression at that moment.

“Bryce, truly…I am sorry. I had no idea.”

“I believe ye,” he said softly.

Colin thought that may be the end of it. He was about to breathe a sigh of relief when Bryce spoke again.

“That is why I will give ye a chance tae disappear, ye an’ yer father.”

“What?!” Colin balked. It felt as if all the wind had been knocked out of him.

“Aye. If I banish just yer father, people will be suspicious. Ye cannot bear the scrutiny alone, and Gemma cannae marry intae a disgraced family.”

Unfortunately all of that was true. Still, Colin was stunned — both by the situation, and by Bryce’s plans. He had never been diplomatic or thought ahead, but clearly he’d done a lot of thinking in order to concoct this plan. It was smart of him. It secured his place in the clan, got rid of opposition in more ways than one, and made him look righteous and noble. That only made it sting all the worse.

“Bryce, I’m sorry. Truly, I am,” he said, hating how desperate and raw his voice sounded, but it was a desperate and unfortunate situation all around.

“I ken. But ‘tis too late. I will communicate this tae our fathers. Be gone by dawn in five days’ time, or we’ll have tae drum ye out of the castle. ‘Tis yer choice.”

Bryce did not stay after that. Instead, he snatched his tankard and stalked away into the night. Colin stayed behind and sat by the fire, looking into the intense flames, his mind complete mush, save for one thought:

How was he going to tell Gemma?