Page 98 of Desiring the Highland Laird
“Me?” She was shocked as she gaped at him.
“If ye had never arrived with that stone, then Da would still be alive and Malcolm would still be here in the keep.”
“How dare you—” And then she cut herself off as she stared at him and straightened with her sudden understanding. “I think I see what’s going on here. You’re angry with Callum because he banished Malcolm. And you thought coming to me with your charms and your good looks you’d win me over and, perhaps, steal me right out from under your older brother. Well, let me tell you something.” She stepped around the horse,who whickered as though sad she’d stopped petting her nose. “Callum is a good, kind, decent human being. He did what he had to do. Your brother, however, made poor choices and now he has to live with the consequences.” She wagged her finger in his face. “Like you.”
The clearing of someone’s throat caught them both off guard. Her head snapped up in the direction of the sound and she saw Callum standing in the middle of the stable with his feet apart and his arms crossed, looking as though he was spoiling for a fight.
“I thought ye might need rescuing from my knave of a younger brother, lass, but I see that ye seem to have him well in hand.” A ghost of a smile flickered over his lips before he managed to contain it and keep his expression stern. But she saw the glint of pride shining in his eyes.
Jamie ambled toward his brother. “Ye should do something to rein her in, brother.” Then he cut her a glance. “She’s a bit of a wild one.”
“I’ll do no such thing,” Callum said. And this time he did smile. “I like her wild.”
He snorted. “I’ll bet.”
Fury passed over Callum’s face and his hand clenched. Jamie turned as if to walk away, but then spun back around, swinging his fist. Callum’s reflexes were quick as he grabbed him by the wrist and shoved him backward toward one of the stalls. He slammed Jamie against the wood, which shuddered under the force of the impact.
It all happened so suddenly, she didn’t have time to admire the way he was ready to defend her honor.
“Dinnae make me banish ye, too,brother,” Callum said on a roughened whisper.
Jamie shoved him off. Evie, though, was certain Callum allowed him to do it since he was much bigger and strongerthan the younger man. He said nothing else as he walked out of the stable, leaving them alone. It was then that Evie realized the stable hands mucking stalls had paused to watch the exchange. When Jamie was on his way out, they quickly got back to work.
Callum approached her, reaching for her and pulling her to him. That smile was on his lips as he looked down at her.
“Ye do have a sharp tongue, lass.”
“You should know,” she said.
She was grinning when he kissed her.
“Callum!”
The sharp shout rose up from the courtyard. They broke apart. His brows drew together in concern as he looked at her.
“Go,” she said.
Instead of leaving her, though, he took her hand and led her out of the stable. Dougal was rushing across the courtyard, his face flushed and his eyes bright with fear. Next to her, Callum stiffened, his hand tightening on hers.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Riders coming. The leader looks to be Malcolm,” his steward said.
“Malcolm? What the devil is he doing back here?”
“Shall we let him inside, my lord?”
Callum was silent for a long moment. “No. I’ll ride out to meet him.”
“I’m coming with ye, my lord.”
Callum nodded as the man hurried off to make the horses ready. He turned to her, gripping her by the shoulders.
“Do ye still have the keystone safe?” he asked, his voice low.
“Yes. In my pocket.”
“Good. Find Roslyn. Stay with her until I come to fetch ye.”
