Page 45 of The Beast of the Highlands
Autumn’s heart leaped at the subtext in his last words, though she prayed that Keira would not hear the additional meaning in them. This woman seemed close to lashing out at someone, and as that could not be Flynn, Autumn braced herself to duck or feint. Whichever she needed to do first.
“Maryis the healer!” Keira repeated. “She’s an old woman, so it doesnae matter if she sees ye without a scrap on ye.”
Flynn chuckled, visibly angering Keira further. “Miss Montgomery hasnae seen me without a scrap on me, neither. She waited outside while I undressed.”
If only you knew the extent to which I have seen him naked and have known him intimately… you would likely hang me from the battlements.
Autumn kept her eyes cast down, lest they betrayed the truth.
“Send. Her. Away!” Keira screamed, waving the cloth in his face. But Flynn merely took it from her, and proceeded to wipe his corded neck with it, drawing Autumn’s eye to the places she had kissed.
“I willnae. Ye brought this on yerself, Keira,” he said, almost too calmly. “If ye hadnae invited Mary to meddle in who I see fit to give provisions to, she’d be in here, tendin’ to me instead. As ye did, and effectively stole payment from the lass who teaches me brother, ye have nay grounds to complain.”
Keira paused, her expression confused. “Payment?”
“Aye. In return for Miss Montgomery’s teachings, I send provisions to her family. So, ye stole what was rightfully hers. Undoubtedly, ye thought I was doin’ it out of some affection for her.” Flynn leveled his gaze at Keira.
Of course, Autumn knew he was lying, but he lied so well that she felt wounded for a moment.
He is trying to protect you. Do not take it to heart. You have the coin in your purse to know it is not the truth.
Keira seemed to flounder. “Well… how was I to know that?”
“Ye should’ve asked, before ye thieved from me man-at-arms and this respected tutor,” Flynn retorted. “And ye shouldnae have had spies watchin’ me. That isnae the behavior of an ally.”
Keira turned her fury on Autumn. “I wouldnae have had to use such measures, if ye were nae seen laughin’ and cavortin’ with this beast!”
“Is it a crime to laugh and jest?” Autumn could hold her tongue no longer. “Would you have Laird MacLennan miserable and dour? Would you see Master Leighton in a melancholy humor?”
Keira came closer. “I will tear out yer tongue if ye speak to me again!” Her hands shot out to grasp at Autumn’s throat, and though Autumn feinted out of the way, her back knocked into the side table. It was a momentary stumble, but it gave Keira enough time to gather herself, and close her hands around Autumn’s neck.
In a blur, Flynn lunged out of the bed and wrenched Keira’s hands away. Obliviously naked, he glowered down at Autumn’s attacker. “If ye touch her again, I’ll send ye back to yer da, and I’ll leave ye to explain why. Ye daenae come into me castle and threaten me people.”
Evidently shocked, Keira glanced down, then immediately looked away. “I am yer betrothed,” she muttered feebly.
“That doesnae mean anythin’. A wife has a say, but ye daenae.” He flashed Natters a look. “Please take Lady Keira back to her chambers, and have Mary sent for. It seems she needs a tonic to help her calm herself.”
Keira’s face twisted into a mask of pure hatred. “I’ll be watchin’ ye, Flynn. The moment I see somethin’ I daenae like, I’ll send word to my da, and we’ll see how brazen ye are then.”
Natters came forward to take hold of Keira’s arm, only to receive a sharp jab to the stomach. It did not do much to a hardy man such as Natters, but he looked momentarily winded.
“I can walk without an escort, thank ye very much,” Keira spat, storming back toward the door.
And though Autumn knew she should have held her tongue, a foolish impulse made the words spill out regardless: “I thought you said you could not?”
Keira whirled around, shooting daggers from her eyes. “I’ll swipe that smirk from yer face, ye vile Sassenach. Once IamLady MacLennan,” she cast a sour glance at Flynn, “and Iwillbe Lady MacLennan, ye’ll be the first to go, Miss Montgomery.”
Carrying the maelstrom of fury out of the room with her, Keira departed, though not before leaving emotional chaos in her wake. For Autumn fully believed Keira’s threat, and Flynn’s promise of marriage seemed as though it was slipping through Autumn’s hands.
To make matters worse, Autumn knew she would have to keep her wits about her.
“Be still, love.” Flynn took hold of her once the door was closed, enfolding her in his arms.
She peered up, distressed. “How did she know, my love?”
“What do ye mean?”
“How did she know you were injured?” The thought had been nagging at Autumn’s mind.
