Page 21 of The Cursed Highland Bride

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The next morning, Dunn awoke with a splitting headache; the effects of having drunk too much the night prior. When he entered the great hall to break his fast, he noticed Brigid sitting with his other lovers, whispering amongst themselves as he passed. Not in the mood for their theatrics, he ignored them and sat down at the table upon the dais. His wife was already there, speaking with his sister.

“Good morn,” he murmured softly as he took his seat.

Both his wife and sister glared daggers back at him in reply. “What is amiss?” he asked, confused. When he had left Katarina the night before, she had been in good spirits.

“Ye, brother, are a fool,” Adamina announced as she arose, kissed Katarina on the cheek, then stormed out of the hall.

“What have I done tae cause her such distress?” he asked, turning to his wife for answers.

Instead of answering his question, she asked him one of her own. “Did ye suffer from a restless night, husband?”

The way she put emphasis on the last word made the hairs on the back of his neck stick up. Every instinct within him told him that he was in trouble. “Nae, I slept as sound as a bairn.”

Her brow arched in an expression that Dunn could not quite read. “Robust activity has a way o’ allowing such sweet slumber. Yet, guilt can rob even the strongest man o’ sleep.”

“Guilt?”

“Aye, guilt.” She held his eyes in unwavering accusation.

“I dinnae ken o’ what ye speak, wife, and I dinnae care for riddles. If ye have something ye wish tae say, simply say it and be done.” His head was pounding, and he was in no mood for games.

“Why did ye leave my bedchamber?”

“I prefer tae sleep in my own bed, alone.”

“Alone?”

“Aye, alone,” he repeated, his brow furrowed in discomfort. “Did my leaving cause ye distress?”

She shook her head. “It was nae yer leaving but what ye did after yer departure.”

Understanding began to dawn in Dunn’s mind. “Ye saw her.”

“I did,” she nodded in confirmation.

“I dinnae have time for yer jealousy, Katarina. I have a meeting o’ the elders tae attend.”

“I am yer wife,” she reminded him with force. “I dinnae expect yer love, but I do expect tae be treated with the courtesy that provides.”

“I am the laird o’ this clan and head o’ our family. I dinnae need tae explain myself tae ye. If I wish tae take a lover, then I shall.” It would have been easier if he had simply told her that he didn't have Brigid in his bed on his own volition, but his anger and pride wouldn't let him. “Men take women tae be their mistresses. It is the way o’ things.”

“Ye were still wet from my bed when ye went to her,” Katarina hissed, her eyes spitting fire.

In spite of himself, Dunn’s cock stiffened at the thought of just how wet she had been as he lay inside of her. “Aye, I was,” he admitted, lust flaring within him.

Quick as lighting, her hand rushed to strike him, but he was just swift enough to stop her before she made a public scene of her displeasure. “Ye are nae more than an animal,” she accused in outrage.

“That may be, but I did nae hear ye complaining about it last night.”

Dunn could have sworn she was about to scream and rip his head from his shoulders when his brother stepped between them. “It is time. The elders await,” Tor informed him, casting a warning glance toward the men gathered around the table nearest the hearth.

Nodding, Dunn arose, having barely touched his food. He turned to Katarina and met her eyes sternly. “Ye may be my wife, but I will nae allow ye tae change me or my life—nae now, nae ever.” And with that, he walked away.

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Katarina stared after Dunn’s retreating back, her heart filled with hurt, shame, and anger. It had been too much to hope that he would see reason. To him, she was the enemy, and that was never going to change.