Page 94 of My Notorious Highlander

"'Twas the least I could do."

Dirk should know by now that Torrin would do anything to protect Jessie, even if it meant giving up his life for hers.

"I need to tell you something." Dirk appeared solemn, almost pained.

"I know what you're going to say. Haldane told me."

Dirk frowned. "About your brother?"

"Aye. I ken Nolan was an outlaw and deserved to die." Grief and regret sliced through Torrin again, despite all. "How did it happen?"

Dirk sat on the chair by the bed. "Well, he and the other outlaws attacked our camp in the middle of the night, about a day's ride south of Munrick. While I was fighting McMurdo at the front of our tent, Nolan cut into the back of the tent and abducted Isobel. He put her on a horse and rode away with her. I took out after them. There was no way in hell I was going to let him hurt my wife." Dirk's frown was fearsome, and Torrin could only imagine how furious the man had been. 'Twas the same rage he'd felt when both MacBain and Haldane had captured Jessie.

"'Tis what I would've done, too," Torrin said. In fact, he had killed Haldane for taking Jessie hostage.

"I caught up to Nolan and Isobel," Dirk continued. "We leapt off the horses and had a sword dual. 'Twas a fair and equal fight. I knocked his sword away and cut his throat. I didn't want to, but he gave me no choice." Anguish reflected in Dirk's pale blue eyes. "He was intent on raping and killing Isobel."

Torrin nodded, anger at his own brother twisting through him. He was ashamed of Nolan. "He would have if you hadn't stopped him."

"I had the men bury him in a small wood there," Dirk said solemnly. "And I brought his weapons and possessions to you. I have them downstairs in the armory."

Torrin cleared his throat, trying to shove away the constricting grief. "I thank you. You're a good man to do that."

"I hope you can forgive me, and that you and your clan won't hold it against me."

Torrin shook his head. "Naught to forgive. I'd say we're even, because I had no choice but to kill your brother."

"Since he was bent on killing me, I must thank you for that—sad as I am to say it. And of a certainty, I must thank you for saving Jessie's life."

"You don't need to thank me for that. Jessie is… my life," Torrin said, his chest aching with love for her.

Dirk's sharp gaze searched his, and a bit of friendly amusement quirked one corner of his mouth. "She would do well to marry you. Have you convinced her yet?"

"Nay." Disappointment weighed heavily upon him. "She won't agree to it yet."

"Why?"

"I probably shouldn't tell you this, but… she thinks she's barren. I don't believe it. But because I'm a chief who needs an heir, she won't allow me to make that sacrifice. I'd marry her either way."

"Well, that's between you and Jessie. I'll not interfere."

"I wish you would. As her brother and the chief, you could force her to marry me." Torrin allowed a small smile, halfway teasing.

Dirk snorted. "I don't think anyone can force Jessie to do anything she doesn't want to. She's lethal with a knife, you ken."

"She is, indeed. I've seen her in action."

Dirk raised a brow.

"With a knife," Torrin added, wondering if Dirk would force Jessie to marry him, or kill him, if he knew they'd shared a bed. Torrin probably shouldn't risk it. Besides, it would embarrass Jessie. And of a certainty, he didn't want to tell Dirk that Jessie had knocked him to the ground when he wasn't paying attention.

"I also want to thank you for rescuing Aiden," Dirk said. "Without doubt, Haldane would've killed him, too, given the opportunity."

"I was glad to help. Aiden is a good man, even if he is a wee bit naïve."

"He is that. He wants to believe, deep down, everyone is as kind-hearted as he is. We're going to have a brief funeral for Haldane out on the cliffs. Aiden wants to play the pipes as a final tribute."

Torrin nodded, imagining the clan out there with the wind off the North Sea whipping their plaids and carrying away the high skirl of the bagpipes. 'Twas far better than Haldane deserved, considering how horridly he'd treated his siblings and clan. But Torrin would do the same for his own brother, once he found his burial site.