Page 2 of My Notorious Highlander

"Aye, her youngest brother. You ken who she is?"

"I do indeed." The man gave a smile which could only be called nasty and cunning. "We were engaged in a trial marriage three years past."

"What?" Torrin blurted the word before he could stop himself, outrage and disbelief tensing his muscles.

The man's smile broadened. "I take it you ken who she is as well."

Torrin wanted to smash his fist into the man's face. "I've met her," he said instead, keeping his response discreet so as not to alert MacBain to his interest in her.

"She is lovely," the man mused.

Torrin had no inkling that Jessie had been in a trial marriage. That meant this bastard had taken her virginity and then cast her off like a worn-out shoe. Had she been hurt by his rejection, or happy to leave him? And why would he send her away? Was she barren or had he simply tired of her?

"So… you're no longer married to her?" Torrin inquired in a light tone.

"She was at my castle for a year and a day, as is customary, but…" MacBain shrugged. "I found someone else and sent Lady Jessie back to her family."

"Ah. So you found a more suitable wife."

"Aye, briefly. She bore me a fine son but she died soon after. I'm now in need of a wife again."

Torrin narrowed his eyes and nodded. Why hadn't the man kept Jessie as his wife in the first place if he was but chasing on her skirt-tails again? He disliked indecisive men.

"A chief must have a wife," MacBain said. "You ken what I'm talking about, aye? Are you married?"

"Nay, not yet. Soon, I hope."

MacBain nodded.

"Well, if you will allow us a few minutes to break our fast and finish packing up, we'll ride north with you."

"We need a rest anyway." He turned to his men. "Water the horses." The remaining MacBain clansmen dismounted.

Torrin's men had the camp mostly packed up and his cook was handing out bannocks within minutes.

While Torrin ate, he eyed MacBain. "I take it you are going to visit Lady Jessie."

"How did you guess?" The man smirked.

Torrin shrugged. He didn't like the cheeky bastard. He'd appeared friendly at first, but once he'd started talking about Lady Jessie and his deceased wife, he'd become highly unlikable. Obviously, he had no respect for women. Nor could MacBain make up his mind.

"Are you going to try to arrange another trial marriage with her?" Torrin took another bite of the bannock, although he was swiftly losing his appetite.

"Aye, she was rather smitten with me, so I'm certain she will be agreeable to it."

Hmph. She damned well better not be. Nay, Lady Jessie was intelligent. She wouldn't submit to being the rushes beneath this man's muddy feet. And if she even considered it, Torrin was bound and determined to change her mind. She deserved a man who would treat her like a goddess. Torrin could do that.

Weeks ago, when Dirk and the MacKay party had stopped for a night or two at Munrick Castle, Torrin had been disappointed that Lady Jessie was not traveling with them. For the second time, he'd asked Dirk for Lady Jessie's hand in marriage, but Dirk had said he wouldn't force his sister to marry someone she didn't wish to. Torrin could understand that. If his younger sister were still alive, he wouldn't force her to marry anyone she didn't want to either. A stab of sadness lanced his gut as it always did when he thought of Allina.

He pushed the cutting emotion away and focused on the beautiful image of Lady Jessie in his mind instead. Every time he thought of her, his mood lightened even though she'd rejected him. She simply didn't know him; that was all. She was skittish and suspicious. But he didn't fault her for it; he didn't trust easily either. He'd simply have to prove his worth to her. She made him want to be a better man.

Minutes later, after everything was packed onto the horses, the MacBains and MacLeods rode north.

Torrin hoped Lady Jessie would not give MacBain one moment of her attention. He didn't deserve it. Was there some other reason he was now going back for her? Torrin was certain it had naught to do with MacBain having any feelings for her.

Jessie's older brother, Dirk, was not in Durness, which prevented a marriage arrangement from being made, but MacBain didn't need to know that. He might try to use it to his advantage, or even try to steal Jessie away. Torrin refused to let that happen.

At midday, the sunlight and blue sky glimmered off the dark water of Loch Stack, near blinding him. They stopped to eat and allow the horses to rest. Torrin was staring at the snowcapped mountains in the distance and thinking about Jessie when MacBain approached.