Page 38 of The Cursed Highland Bride

“It is yers by right o’ recompense, a gift aligned with my proclaimed debt.”

“Thank you.”

Esmerelda nodded and arose. “Come. Let us get ye intae these dry clothes. Ye cannae kill yer enemies if ye catch yer death first.”

Katarina nodded and allowed Esmerelda to help her up from the floor. She quickly changed her clothing and set her wet dress in front of the fire to dry. “How did you come to be here? You speak as a native Scotswoman. Is it a pretense or true?”

Esmerelda smiled sadly. “Both,” she answered. “I have been here a long time. My faither was commissioned by the king tae bring the body o’ Dunn’s faither home tae Orkney. In return for the courtesy my faither showed tae his family, Dunn granted my family the privilege tae live here and become a part o’ his people. My faither was ill and in need o’ a place tae rest, so he accepted. He died in this very house.” Her eyes wandered over the stones in sorrowed affection. “I was young, alone, and needed a place tae belong. I changed my voice tae match those around me. So, it is as much a pretense as it is true.”

Katarina nodded in understanding. She studied Esmerelda’s face and braved the question she could not help but ask. “Do you love Dunn?”

Esmerelda smiled. “As much as I am able, but I suspect now after meeting ye that it will never be requited. I can see now, in cursing him, I have cursed myself. He is lost tae me, and he is the richer for it.” She laughed sardonically at her own folly.

“I am sorry,” Katarina whispered softly.

Esmerelda shook her head. “It is I who am sorry, for this curse is nae yet done causing ye heartache.”

“How is that?”

The other woman lifted her eyes to Katarina’s. “There is still yet an unfulfilled part o’ the curse.”

“What is it?”

“Dunn will love ye and ye him, but before the curse can be fulfilled…” She paused as if she no longer wished to tell the rest.

“What?”

“Ye will be his desolation.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Dunn sat in his room and stared into the fire. He had searched everywhere but had found no sign of his wife. He was out of options and had no choice but to wait for her to return—if she ever did.

In his search, he had also discovered that his wife had paid for the weapons she had gathered from several of his warriors. As if that was not enough, she had continued her training with them in spite of his commanding her not to. Tor had been forced to admit that he knew about it and had shared with him why Katarina had disobeyed him. His own wife did not believe him capable of protecting her from harm.

Sighing, he leaned forward with his elbows on his knees and rubbed his hands over his face. “God protect her,” he whispered into the empty room, but a knock at the door interrupted his prayer. “Enter,” he commanded, his eyes rising in hope as his sister opened the door.

“She has returned, Dunn.”

Dunn stood quickly and moved to leave the room with the intention of going to his wife when Adamina came to stand in front of him. He frowned down at her in question.

“She was caught out in the storm. The only shelter that she could find was with Esmerelda.”

Dunn’s heart thudded. It had been difficult enough when Katarina had only known about Brigid. Esmerelda had been his favorite lover but had been very angry when he had ended their relationship. She would have had no trouble in causing him further problems with his wife by informing her of such. The last thing that Dunn needed was more trouble. “How did she seem?”

Adamina sighed. Her face was drawn in concern. “Ye need tae tell her the truth. She will leave ye if ye dinnae tell her. Tell her now, or there will nae be a tomorrow.” Then, moving out of the way, she let him pass.

Dunn walked out into the corridor, a myriad of feelings warring inside of him for dominance. Fear for her safety had given way to anger when he had found her weapons cache. Then, fear had returned as the storm raged on. Now, as he stalked down the corridor, anger was winning once again. Whether it was anger at himself, her, or both, he was not certain. All he did know was that his wife had plans to leave him, and he did not want her to.

He opened the door without bothering to knock, for he was not going to give her the opportunity to pretend to be asleep again. To his surprise, he found her standing naked, dripping with water, in his bathtub. He stood in silence, his eyes taking in the sight before him. “Katarina,” he spoke her name in relief to see that she was whole and safe. “I’m glad tae see ye got out o’ the storm.”

“Dunn!” Katarina cried out his name in surprise. She looked about her, but there was nothing in reach for her to cover herself with. Wanting her to stay exactly as she was, he did not offer to help her.

“Ye are the bonniest lass I have ever laid eyes upon,” he breathed as he moved closer to her, shutting the door behind himself.

“Then why are ye still bedding yer many mistresses?” Fire flashed from her green eyes with an intensity that Dunn found to be intoxicating. His body did not care that the two of them were mad at each other—his body wanted her regardless of whatever else lay between them.

“I have nae lain with any other lass since I wed ye.”