Page 23 of Bride of Fire
Jenefer countered, “If not now—”
“Hist!” Hallie scolded. “You’ve wreaked enough havoc already, Jenefer.”
Jenefer blushed hotly at the reprimand, but she bit her tongue.
Hallie continued. “’Twas kind of you to offer us a warm fire, m’laird. We are grateful. Perhaps on the morrow we can discuss terms of our return to Rivenloch.”
He drew his brows together. Return? He thought not.
Colban might have scoffed at Jenefer’s attempt at intimidation, but Morgan knew it was more than an idle threat. He’d seen the ferocity of the lasses. If the women were that well-trained in battle, what were the men like?
He didn’t know how soon his title would arrive, but until he had the document in his hands, his claim was in question.
If what Jenefer said was true, if there were those who believed the castle belonged to Rivenloch, he might indeed have a skirmish with the neighbors on his hands.
Morgan sighed. As much as he wished to be rid of the troublesome lasses, they had just become his only leverage against war.
Chapter 13
If Jenefer didn’t know better, she’d think Hallie was plotting against her. Since when did her battle-seasoned cousin back down from a fight? Hallie had not only surrendered to the Highlander. She’d practically apologized to him for the inconvenience.
Jenefer’s blood was so hot now that she scarcely felt the autumn chill. A hundred curses perched on the tip of her tongue.
Of course, she’d utter not a one. She might be short-tempered and impatient. But she was also a good soldier. Like it or not, Hallie was her commander.
“Do we have a cup o’ refreshment for our guests?” the Highlander called out.
She didn’t miss the subtle edge he put on the word “guests.”
“Aye, m’laird,” a woman answered, hurrying to do his bidding.
Jenefer had to admit a drinkwouldbe welcome. Perhaps a healthy swig would cool her boiling blood.
Hell. She dreaded the idea of staying at Creagor while the Highlanders were still in residence. She’d planned to frighten them away tonight, then return to claim the empty keep on the morrow.
She’d hoped to surprise her parents on their return by moving their household into Creagor.
Hallie had ruined everything.
And Feiyan hadn’t helped.
If the two of them hadn’t intervened in Jenefer’s affairs…
The Highlander addressed the others. “Return to your beds. There is much to do on the morrow.” Then, as if to rub salt in her wounds, he added, “We’ll need to purchase more livestock and provender for the winter ahead.”
When the drink arrived, Jenefer snatched her cup with a vengeance and tossed it back all at once. But whatever devil’s fire the Highlanders put in their strong brew, it proved her undoing. Her bold gesture ended in a humiliating bout of eye-watering coughs and choking.
Feiyan smacked her on the back, which didn’t help at all and only increased her anger. Hallie’s knowing sigh made Jenefer feel like a disappointing child.
In the midst of the embarrassment, the Highlander’s fair-haired friend leaned toward him and murmured, “Where will ye store them, m’laird?”
Jenefer glared at the rude man. He had a black eye, and she was suddenly glad that someone had given him a good drubbing. How dared he insinuate the Warrior Daughters of Rivenloch were to be “stored” like goods?
“Upstairs,” the Highlander replied. “In my chamber.”
Jenefer exchanged dark glances with her cousins. Ofcoursethe savage would want them taken to his chamber. He no doubt intended to take turns upon them.
She wasn’t going to let that happen.
