Page 27 of Married to the Ruthless Highlander
Perhaps Ersiehadknown a boy like that before, but themanwas immovable.
They stepped outside into the castle’s yard, the brisk air filling Freya’s lungs as she took in the grounds around her. A group of men were training, their swords clashing with heavy thuds. The sound of steel on steel echoed through the open space, making her shudder and sending her mind back to the loch.
As they passed by, some of the men glanced at them, their expressions hardening. But Freya soon realized that it wasn’t her they were scowling at, but the woman at her side.
“They dinnae like ye, do they?” she asked softly.
Ersie blinked as if she had not noticed the annoyed stares and disdain at all. “Och, aye. Some of them despise me.”
“Why?”
She smirked. “They hate me because they fear what I could do to them. And they fear me because they all ken what I am capable of.”
Freya sighed and continued to observe the soldiers discreetly as she continued walking with Ersie, silently wishing that she could have that sort of power to wield, that even one person might be fearful of whatshewas capable of. That she might prove herself to be more lioness than mouse, one day, as she had tried and failed to do in her pursuit of Laura.
Alas, she knew that the worst she could do was to recite Dante’sDivine Comedyin its entirety, boring her enemies to death.
As her mind drifted to her beloved literature, she let out a quieter, sadder sigh.
Even in the library, I couldnae roar loud enough to make Doughall stay and finish the kiss he started…
10
Aye, get out of me sight.
Doughall watched from the battlements as the two riders set off down the path that wended from the castle, through the village at the bottom of the hill, and out across the moorlands. He stifled a yawn, scratching the stubble that shadowed his jaw.
He was well used to sleepless nights, rarely suffering any ill effects other than an even shorter temper, but last night had left him exhausted to the marrow of his bones. Not a wink of sleep had. Tossing and turning like a lad who had caught his first glimpse of a couple rutting in the grain store.
Should’ve put ye in the dungeons, far away from me. Nay place safer.
“M’Laird?” a hesitant voice said, preceding a nervous soldier who stood fidgeting, his head bowed like an unwed lass about to tell her father that she was with child.
Apparently, word that Laird MacGordon was in a particularly foul mood had spread.
“What?” Doughall snapped, not turning around. He would keep watching Freya and Ersie until he could not see them anymore.
The soldier cleared his throat. “I came to give me report, M’Laird.”
“Then give it,” Doughall muttered, his eyes narrowing as Freya’s neck arched and her shoulders shook.
She’s laughin’. What does she have to laugh about?
The soldier took a deep breath. “There have been nay suspicious movements around the village or the castle, M’Laird.”
“And ye think that means the threat is over?” Doughall shot him a warning look. “Dinnae let yer guard down. If anyone approaches her, if anyone harms her because yedecided that yer duties are done, it’ll beyerheads I take first.”
The soldier looked like he might faint. “Of course, M’Laird. We’ll remain… vigilant.”
“See that ye do.” Doughall cast one more harsh glance at the riders, the gauzy autumn sunlight blinding his eyes, and strode away from the battlements.
He needed a drink.
A brisk walk later, the crisp morning air having done nothing to clear away the fog in his mind, he perched on a crooked stool in the distillery, swallowing a mouthful of his uncle’s finest whiskey. He hissed his temporary relief through his teeth, the potent liquor burning all the way down to his belly.
How many measures would it take to rid meself of yesterday’s memories?
He cursed himself for kissing Freya, especially in that sacred place. She had deserved punishment for her disobedience, but her moans and sighs had been more tortuous for him than her. And a kiss was no true punishment. He should have bent her over and smacked her rear, or taken a candle and dripped the hot wax on her skin, or taken his teeth and tongue to her neck until she had a bruise to remind her not to disobey him again.
