"Answer, wench," he ordered.
"Nay!"
"You will marry me, whore," he said through clenched teeth and moved his face closer to hers. His fetid breath made her gag. "Or I shall strangle you and every woman in this place," he whispered in her ear.
The entry door burst open, and booted feet thundered in. "Halt!"
"What the devil?" MacPeter whipped around.
Cat looked beyond him.
Brodie stood in the open doorway, large and commanding, his long dark hair wet with rainwater, his plaid askew, and his shirt hanging loose. Torr and Gavin stood beside him and all the guards behind.
Thank you, Lord!
"What goes on here?" Brodie strode forward, sword in hand. His dark gaze skimmed over her and landed like a dagger point on the MacPeter. Torr, Gavin, and the guards followed, swords unsheathed. MacPeter's guards, outnumbered now, stood as still as statues.
"A wedding, as you can see." MacPeter drew himself up, trying to be as tall as Brodie and Torr but failing.
"She cannot marry you," Brodie said. "She's already legally betrothed to someone else."
"Who?" MacPeter's face reddened.
"Me." Torr's deadly smirk hid untold danger.
"You whoreson." Rage emanated off MacPeter. "She was promised to me first."
"Nay," Brodie said in a mocking tone. "She was promised to Torr when she was fifteen summers. I have the betrothal contract in my library if you require it."
What was Brodie talking about? Was this true?
MacPeter's gaze sought out her mother. "You lied to me, Madame."
She gawked, wide-eyed, mouth hanging open. "I—I did not know."
"And how do you propose to appease me for taking back the bride your mother promised me, MacCain?"
Brodie shrugged. "Half a dozen cattle."
MacPeter glared. "Nay, I have plenty of cattle. What I do nay have is a wife."
"I cannot help you there. You must find your own wife." Brodie lifted a brow and waited. "I'm thinking we're done here—unless you'd like to go outside and have a pissing contest."
MacPeter snarled. "You'll be hearing from me again, MacCain." He motioned to his men, and they followed him out.
"If I see you hereabouts again, I'll consider it an attack!" Brodie yelled after them, then slammed the door.
Joy filled Cat as she ran to Torr and grasped his hand. She wanted to dance and shout and hug her brother, then Torr, for saving the day.
"I hope you'll stay, Father Helms." Once the hall was quiet, Brodie's unnaturally dark, intimidating gaze slid from Cat to Torr. "I would see you both in the solar."
Oh, goodness, he sounded annoyed.
Cat knew she should've been afraid of what Brodie might say, but she could not believe her brother would be too harsh on them. Thrilled to be free of MacPeter, she smiled as she and Torr followed Brodie upstairs. She cherished the warmth of Torr's hand in hers.
"Thank you for coming," she whispered. "You were just in time. I'm thrilled you found Brodie. Are you cold from being in the rain?" She knew she was blathering but could not seem to stop herself.
"I'm fine," Torr murmured and secretly kissed Cat's cheek, sending renewed delight through her. "Are you all right?"
