Page 17 of The Cursed Highland Bride

Passing his mother’s old bedchamber, he could hear the muffled voices of women conversing. He placed a hand on the rough wooden planks of the door in a gesture of respect for his departed mother, then went on to his own bedchamber. Each night, he slept amongst the ghosts of his grandfather, his father, and all their fathers who came before them. It was a heavy burden that he never seemed able to bear without pain. His grandmother said that he, like Atlas, carried the weight of the world on his shoulders since he was quite young.

Calling for a manservant to aid him in a change of clothes and a bath, he discovered that his wife had been given his own personal tub to use at her leisure. In spite of himself, he smiled at the thought of her naked body submerged where his naked body had once been. His body tightened at the image it created in his mind. He bathed in a bowl of water as best he could, donned new clothes, then retraced his steps back to the hall.

No sooner had he reached the bottom of the stairs when the hall went silent; all eyes turned toward the stairs but not at him. Dunn turned to find his wife wearing his mother’s emerald-green dress, her raven black hair flowing wild and free around her shoulders, descending the stairs. “God in heaven, save me from this temptress,” he whispered under his breath. Swallowing hard, he extended her his hand. “My lady,” he greeted her, attempting to hide his feelings as best he could behind a façade of cold distance. It would not do for his clan to see him falling all over himself after her.

His people had prepared a feast in the newlywed couple’s honor. He led her through the hall to the raised dais at the far end and placed her in the seat next to his own. Tor had taken mercy on him and placed their grandmother on the other side so that interaction between the two women would be limited at best. Adamina followed and sat on the other side of Katarina.

As he stood there surveying his people gathered around the tables ready to eat, he had mixed emotions about what to do next. Were he a happily married man, he would have given a toast. It would be expected. Given that he had been forced to wed the daughter of their mortal enemy, he thought perhaps a toast would be misplaced. Deciding against any display, he sat down and motioned for the maids to serve the supper.

“Nae words tae be said, brother?” Adamina questioned in genuine concern.

“Nae, sister. I think it best that we nae toast this night. It might nae be received in the spirit it was intended.”

Adamina’s face fell, and she nodded in understanding. “It will nae be a simple marriage,” she admitted. “But if ye both let it, it could be a satisfying one.”

Dunn exchanged a look with his wife. He could not read what she was thinking; an array of expressions crossed her face. Feeling unsettled, he looked away and attempted to put some distance between them. His grandmother was right. As much as he wanted to bed her, he could not trust her. She was blood of their enemy, and he would not forget that.

* * *

Katarina sat next to Dunn and fought the urge to cry. Every eye in the place was upon her, and she had no notion as to what to do about it. She felt like a mouse in a room full of cats. It did not help that his grandmother was staring daggers at her while Dunn himself remained cold and distant throughout the long interminable dinner. She felt like it was never going to end, but at the same time, she prayed that it would not since she would definitely be expected to share his bed.

Morgan, you are a bastard for doing this to me and my family. Not only did you destroy my blood, but you have destroyed these people’s lives as well. Is there any person in the north of Scotland that you have not harmed in some way? Katarina wished that her words could fly like daggers on the wind to pierce her enemy’s heart. She sent a prayer heavenward for God to protect her sisters until she could find a way to free them from Morgan’s clutches. I do not know how or when, but I will save you, she promised them.

“Are ye well, sister?” Adamina’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

Katarina attempted a smile. “I am well. Dinnae worry on my account.”

“Perhaps some air?”

Katarina nodded in gratitude for her understanding. The two girls moved toward the door leading out to the back garden. As they passed the table of Dunn’s lovers, a trencher of pottage went flying, and some of it landed in Katarina’s hair. She cried out in startlement, and the entire room fell silent. Dunn arose from his chair and crossed the room to stare menacingly at all those within proximity. Scooping her up into his arms, he carried her from the hall and back up the stairs to her room where, thankfully, the bath was still there in front of the fireplace.

Katarina was too stunned for words and had not yet managed to speak. How did one address such an issue as one’s husband’s lovers throwing food at them? It was an untenable position to be in. “I am sorry,” he whispered, setting her down beside the tub. He reached up to brush her soiled hair from her face. “They should nae have done that tae ye. They will be punished harshly.”

“There is nae need.” Katarina shook her head and moved to put some distance between them, the closeness of his muscled chest making her entire body tingle.

“There is a need. They cannae be allowed tae treat their lady in such a way, nae matter yer origins. It is disrespectful nae only tae ye but tae me as well.”

“So, it is a matter o’ pride tae punish them then and naught tae do with me.”

A low growl of frustration rumbled through his chest, and Katarina took another step away from him. “I am sorry. Let me help ye.” He gestured toward the ties that held her dress.

“I will call a maid,” Katarina protested.

“Nae, ye are my wife, and I wish tae bathe ye. It is my right as yer husband.”

Katarina’s eyes widened. “It is my body.”

“Aye, it is, and a bonnie one at that.” His eyes slid over her form in appreciation. “But ye are mine tae care for now, and care for ye I shall.” He took the strides that separated them and pulled the ties that held her dress in place. The emerald-green fabric fell like a tree in a lightning storm, silent but just as unnerving in its intensity. Katarina shivered in fear and uncertainty. Seeing it, his eyes gentled. “I will nae harm ye.” In one swift motion, he lifted her naked body and sat her down inside the now tepid tub. Grabbing a handful of soap, he began washing her hair.

Katarina was once more stunned into silence. She didn’t know if she should protest, throw him out of the chamber not caring for the consequences, or thank him. He was a man of truculent strength with large muscular hands, yet he washed her hair with a gentleness that surpassed all expectation. “It is nae what either o’ us expected or hoped for,” she whispered, drawing her knees to her chest to cover her nudity, feeling the warmth of embarrassment rushing to her cheeks.

“Nae, it is nae.” Grabbing a pitcher, he rinsed the soap out of her hair, then grabbed a cloth and began to wash her back and shoulders. “But we both must make the most o’ it. All I ask o’ ye is yer loyalty. Ye dinnae need tae love me. I will nae love ye. Above all else, ye must be loyal tae my people. Ye are nae longer a Morgan and must let go o’ any thought tae cause me or mine harm.”

“I would nae do such a thing,” she replied in earnest, tired of repeating herself concerning the matter.

His hands stilled on her back, and he moved to where he could see her face. Katarina met his eyes so that he could see the truth within their depths. “How can I trust ye when I ken yer family as I do?”

Something about his eyes made her want to tell him everything, but she could not. The image of her sisters huddled in their cell flashed through her mind, and she broke eye contact. “I dinnae ken.”