Page 69 of The Highlander Who Loved Me
“Leaving?” Maggie and Johanna uttered the question at the same time. The word echoed in Johanna’s mind. Her stomach wobbled a bit, but she took a calming breath. Surely she’d misunderstood.
He fixed his attention on his sister. She’d gone pale. Slowly, she took a step back, as if removing herself from the field of battle.
“Maggie, I expect ye to see to Miss Templeton’s comfort while she’s here. She’s not to feel like a stranger.”
His words shredded Johanna’s composed veneer. She whipped around. Facing him, hands on her hips, she met his level gaze.
“While I’m here? I’ve no intention of staying put while you run off after that stone.”
His head moved slowly side to side. “Yer intentions don’t mean a damn thing. I’m not dragging ye into a viper’s nest.”
“You cannot stop me. My niece—”
He stared down at her, the look in his eyes as unyielding as his flinty rasp. “Yer presence will endanger the bairn. It’s a complication I don’t need.”
Anger rippled through Johanna’s veins. “This is not your battle. Cranston is expecting me to come for Laurel. Not you.”
“I’ve pledged to bring the child to safety. I cannae protect ye and the girl at the same time.” His voice was low and gruff, his words hard and piercing as a stiletto.
“I do not need your protection. I would value your assistance, but I will not stand by like some helpless damsel in distress while you charge into a fight that is not of your making.”
“The battle between the MacMasters clan and Cranston and his bastard thugs has been in the making for a long time.”
“Whatever you have planned, I am going with you.” Johanna layered her tone with ice and steel.
“Out of the question.” His words boomed like a king’s edict. The gall of the man.
“What’s this about?” Gerard ambled toward them. The taut set of his features contradicted his easy movements. How much of the discussion had he overheard?
“Nothing that’s of concern to ye.” Connor’s glare might have intimidated another man, but his brother only shrugged.
“If Miss Templeton needs an escort, she may consider me at her service.” Gerard kept his expression dispassionate. “Whatever ye require, Johanna.”
“Like hell ye will,” Connor said, his expression hard as flint. “She is to remain at Dunnhaven, under MacMasters’ protection. I won’t chance her safety.”
“I am under no one’s protection.”
Connor turned to her. “I willnae discuss this beyond the walls of the house. Others could be lurking about.”
“Do you see danger everywhere?” she challenged him.
“’Tis a fact of life when ye’re a MacMasters. Come inside. We’ll continue this discussion there.”
“I do not consider this a discussion. But if it pleases you, we may continue within the walls of that fortress you call a home.”
He whipped his brother a glare. “I need a word with ye.”
Gerard folded his arms and rocked back on his heels. “There is not a damned thing wrong with my hearing. Speak yer mind.”
Connor marched to where his brother stood. “Yer presence is not needed. She’s not some cow-brained lass ye need to rescue, straight into yer bed.” His rough-edged tones were low, purposefully quiet. But Johanna’s keen ears made out each word.
“To hell with ye.” Gerard snapped around and marched toward the stables.
Connor turned his gaze on his sister. “Ye need to gather another dress or two for Miss Templeton. And whatever else she might need.”
“Aye, Connor.” Maggie cast Johanna an impish smile before scurrying into the house.
Without another word, Connor led Johanna into the house and escorted her into a room lined with bookshelves from ceiling to floor. Leather-bound volumes, precisely shelved, filled the walls. Windows adorned with stained glass graced the north wall. Upon closer look, she realized the colorful panes featured skilled depictions of Highland flora and fauna, lending the room a warmth she hadn’t anticipated. A grand library, the stuff of an author’s dreams. If only she wasn’t too incensed with Connor to drink in the enchanting space.
