Page 6 of The Mad Highlander
They both turned to the open doors as bagpipes announced the arrival of their guest.
Her heart thudded furiously as she began to picture all manner of deformities. Was he covered in scars from all the battles he had fought in his time? Did he have a face that reflected the darkness that surely dwelled within?
Her mouth dropped open a fraction of an inch as one of the most handsome men she had ever seen in her life stepped over the threshold. His muscles bulged beneath the white cotton shirt. A fine map of scars snaked up his hands and forearms, yet none of them seemed to reach his face. Laird O’Brien seemed to possess a face that had been sculpted by the gods. His jaw was strong and chiseled with a light layer of stubble. Yet it was his eyes that caught her attention rather than the sculpted muscles of his legs or even the tanned skin.
Those daring fierce blue eyes sent a shiver of pleasure down her spine despite the danger that oozed from every pore of his being.They seemed to stare directly into her soul, causing the breath in her lungs to still in her body.
“Laird O’Brien, it’s good to see ye so soon again. I trust ye didnae have any trouble on the way here?” Tristan stepped forward and offered his hand, speaking to the man as if he had known him all his life.
The mad laird tore his gaze away from Iris and shook Tristan’s hand.
Why doesn’t he say anything?
Iris felt a wave of heat run through her body as he glanced back at her, his eyes sweeping over her figure as if he were undressing her. She felt a strange pang of guilt set in. What did it say about her if her body reacted to the mad laird? Did it make her a bad person that she found herself being drawn to the air of mystery that surrounded him?
“If you would like to have a drink while your men settle in, I will accompany you to the dining hall. We’ve had our finest guest chambers prepared for you. The servants will do all that they can to make your men comfortable during your stay.” Tristan broke the tense atmosphere after clearing his throat.
Laird O’Brien tore his gaze away from her once again and blinked a few times as if he had been under a spell. “There will be nae need for a room or any of yer hospitality,” he said bluntly and looked at Tristan as if he were seeing him for the first time.
The deep notes of timber in his voice sent a visceral response throughout her body as she hung on to his every word. His voice matched his bulking figure, causing her chest to rise and fall rapidly with every breath.
“I don’t understand?” Tristan’s brow creased into a frown as he looked away, pulling his hand back after a brief shake.
“I didnae come here on a social visit. I am here to collect me bride.” His eyes wandered back to Iris and rested on her chest, causing a deep blush to spread over her cheeks and creep up the back of her neck.
“Surely your men would like to rest. We thought you would be staying for a while. I ken that Iris would like to spend more time with ye before ye take her away from her home.” Tristan stumbled over some of his words as he rubbed the back of his neck, looking just as concerned as Iris felt about the change of plan.
Laird O’Brien cracked his neck as he moved his head from side to side. “I didnae say that I would be staying. Me men an’ I need to return. It’s nae just yer clan that has come under attack. There have been rumors that the Murdochs are planning to attack us soon.” He gave off the air of someone who always got what he wanted.
Her pulse raced as he glared at her cousin. Laird O’Brien gave off such a dangerous aura of power that it wasn’t hard to believe that he’d killed his father and brother. The look of sheerdetermination on his face declared the fact that he wouldn’t be taking no for an answer.
“It will be pleasant for us to stay here a while before we leave for yer castle, Me Laird,” Iris tried. “Ye must be tired after yer journey.”
“Tired from ridin’ a horse?” Laird O’Brien waved his hand dismissively in the air. “Nay, we will leave now.”
The room grew even quieter as Tristan’s face darkened, and a veil fell over his features as he set his jaw. “Of course. I would like to persuade ye to stay, but I can see that ye have made up yer mind. Will ye have a glass of ale with me while Iris packs her things?”
No.
“Have ye nae prepared a feast in honor of Laird O’Brien?” Her voice cracked as she tried to beg her cousin. “It wouldnae be right to only offer ale without food.”
“Laird O’Brien, ye must stay for some food,” Tristan said half-heartedly.
“Have ye nae heard a word I’ve said? A glass of ale, aye! I have food back at me castle.” Laird O’Brien crossed his impressive arms over his broad chest.
“Aye, whatever ye wish,” Tristan said as if he were a servant and not a laird himself.
Iris felt all the heat leaving her body as Tristan gave in to the man’s demands. Would she have no time at all to prepare for her new life? He began to seem more of a beast to her again as her heart thudded in her chest. Looking up, she realized that he had been staring at her.
“Me men will take all of yer cousin’s belongings to our carriages. We will nae be back any time soon.” Laird O’Brien spoke directly to Iris this time.
“I see you have come prepared. I was hoping for a bit of a smoother transition for me cousin with more time to prepare,” Tristan spoke bitterly, and Iris began to wonder and hope if he was having second thoughts about handing her over to such a cruel and unfeeling man.
Cayden turned back to him with a fierce glare that made her heart skitter with fear. “Yer cousin doesnae have anything to fear while she is under me care. Nae harm will befall her while she is me bride.”
His words made her swallow the panic that rose in her chest. Was that a threat? She wondered if he was inadvertently trying to tell her that she had no choice in the matter.
While she is me bride.
