Page 376 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“I have not used trickery with her,” Iain answered.

“But you do not mind taking advantage of the situation, eh?”

“What would you have me do, ask him to leave me to my courtship? The English do not take kindly to their women being sullied by the likes of me. The only thing that will end this matter is if she is my wife. Did she ever mention this man to you?”

The distress on the priest’s face confirmed the gnawing feeling in his gut even before Father Brennan said, “Nay, never. I thought her family was dead.”

“Yet, she never appealed to him.”

Father Brennan sighed. “I mistook her being at Montrose Abbey for wishing to avoid another marriage.”

“I thought the same,” Iain said. “It would be difficult for King Henry to command her to marry when he did not know where to find her. As her only living relative”—Iain gave a harsh laugh— “if Hockley is her only living relative, the role of protector would fall to him. Odd, she never played that card.”

“One would almost think it was him she wished to avoid,” Thomas said.

“It would,” Iain agreed. “I was willing to give her time to understand that I am not like her husband, but things have changed. As you are wont to say, Father, God works in mysterious ways. Who are we to question His methods?”

“You are a fine one for quoting scripture when it suits you,” Father Brennan grumbled.

Despite the situation, Iain smiled. “I have the makings of a fine priest, eh?”

Father Brennan groaned. “Lord, have mercy on us all.”

Iain straightened. “Thomas, find out where they are. If all goes well, they should not arrive until tomorrow.” He addressed Father Brennan. “You will perform the wedding?”

Father Brennan finished his drink in one gulp, then placed the glass on the sideboard. “Hockley will be furious once he learns I am here, but if you feel ’tis best, I will do it.”

“Hockley will do no more or less either way,”

Iain said. “It is the lass I am concerned with.”

“Aye, well, God be with you on that mission,” Father Brennan walked toward the door. “You will

need all the help you can get.”

* * *

Iain waited no more than fifteen minutes before deciding his future bride had no intention of attending the evening meal. She was getting better at hiding. The stables hadn’t been his first choice to search. Yet, another half an hour passed before he found her tucked away in one of the stalls. Filling the small doorway, Iain braced a hand against either side of the frame and gazed down at her, legs stretched out before her, ankle crossed over ankle.

“Did you need something, my lord?” she asked without looking up from her book.

“The evening meal is being served.” He had meant to harden his voice, but found no heart for it.

“I am not hungry,” she replied, turning a page.

“That is not the point.”

“Nay?”

“Do not push me too far tonight, love. I am in no mood for games.”

“You need not worry about my games, sir, if you would cease trying to force me to do something I have no wish to do.”

“You belong beside me,” he said. “Or was last night not enough to teach you that?”

She slammed the thick volume shut with a quick flip of her wrist and jumped to her feet. “Teach me? What do you think to teach me?” Her cheeks flushed, and Iain realized she had learned even more than he suspected. “You need not worry that I will fall into temptation again,” she added in a rush of words.

A silence lingered before Iain dropped his hands from the doorway and took two paces, halting in front of her. He reached forward and wound a lock of her hair around a finger.