Page 25 of The Cursed Highland Bride

“I am listening.” Katarina set the tapestry down on her lap to give him her full attention. His eyes followed her hands, and something flashed within them at the sight of the cloth.

“Where did ye find that?” His voice was filled with something akin to anguish.

“In the chest. It was unfinished and too beautiful to remain hidden away.”

“It was my maither’s work. It was her last.”

“I am sorry. Should I have left it alone? I will return it tae the chest if ye wish it.”

Dunn’s eyes were filled with pain, but he shook his head. “Nae, as the lady o’ this house, it is within yer rights tae complete her work.”

“I will nae if it causes ye pain.” She reached out across the expanse between them to lay a comforting hand upon his knee before she realized what she was doing.

“Nae, ye should finish it.”

“As ye wish,” Katarina nodded and withdrew her hand from his knee. Rising, she placed the tapestry back in the chest so that the sight of it would not upset him further. She sat back down and faced him. “Ye wanted tae speak with me about the events o’ last night.”

“I did.” He studied her face intently for a moment, then as if making a decision, he shook his head. “Another time, perhaps.” Standing, he left her sitting there alone and confused.

* * *

Dunn had changed his mind. Seeing her with his mother’s tapestry and the feelings that flared within him at the sight, he just could not tell her the truth. Their clans’ mutual hatred for each other was the only barrier they had against forming an irreversible attachment—he could not risk that. Every time he was near her, he could feel his resolve slipping. He could not allow that. Leaving the room, he ran into Adamina on the stairs.

“Did ye tell her?” she asked with hope and admonition in her eyes.

“I did nae, and ye will nae tell her either.”

Adamina opened her mouth to chastise him, but he raised a hand to silence her.

“As yer laird, I command ye tae be silent on this matter.”

“Ye are a fool,” she snapped as she pushed past him and disappeared into the corridor above. A few brief seconds later, he heard her door slam shut.

“Aye, I am at that,” he agreed with his sister’s pronouncement, then turned and descended the stairs to the great hall below. The morning meal had been cleared away, and the men had gone out to perform their various duties. Exiting the hall, he walked out to the practice field where his brother was instructing the youth on how to properly handle a sword.

“Dunn,” his brother nodded in respect.

“My laird,” the boys greeted, bowing their heads.

He smiled down at them. They were so young yet, soon, they would be considered men in the eyes of the world. They would need to know how to protect themselves and the clan. “A braw crop o’ lads,” he praised, taking up a wooden sword to face his brother. The lads took up similar stances, and they resumed their training.

“Did ye speak with yer wife?” Tor asked, keeping his voice low so that the other lads would not hear.

“Did Adamina say something tae ye?” Dunn asked, his brow arched in accusation.

Tor snorted. “More shouted at me for nae making ye see reason sooner.”

Dunn sighed. “I have nae told my wife the truth, nor do I plan tae do so. I have forbidden Adamina tae speak on the matter further.”

Tor laughed. “Ye ken our sister better than that.”

“As her laird, she has nae choice.”

Tor frowned in disapproval. “Ye should tell her.”

“Ye grind at me as an axe to the wheel. I would proceed with care, or I will command ye tae wed a lass ye dinnae wish tae.”

Shaking his head, Tor lifted his hands in surrender. “I will leave it, but ye are wrong in this. I would be willing tae wager on it.”