Page 4 of Her Reluctant Highlander Husband

Her older cousin, Desmond, and Rory were at her brother’s side in a second with their own daggers drawn.

She swallowed and opened her mouth to say something, but before she had the chance the MacKinlay laird shouted that everyone was to put their weapons away.

Her groom was the first to follow the order, slipping his knife in the sheath and putting up both hands in a non-threatening way.

The other men backed away, glaring. “You better say your vows if you know what’s good for you. If we have to take ye back with us to Baehaven, you might not make the trip,” her brother whispered before stepping away.

…

Bryce didn’t hear what the McCurdy arse said to Dorie, but her already pale skin went a shade or two lighter, and fear clouded those clear blue eyes.

He didn’t want a wife, but he couldn’t make this woman go back to her family. Not that they acted like family. These were her brother and cousins and they treated her like less than a worm. Even as mad as he was at Lach, he regarded his cousin with more respect than this.

“There must be another way,” Bryce said. He looked around at the other people and spotted Cam and Mari, recalling the way they’d been wed by accident. “We can be handfasted.”

“Handfasting still requires a verbal declaration of intent,” the unhelpful priest replied. It figured they would find the one priest in all the Highlands who was also fluent in the ways of the law.

“Do you know what a promise is, lass?”

Dorie nodded immediately, intelligence clear in her eyes.

“Can ye do this when you want to promise something?” Using his index finger, he drew a cross over his heart.

Another nod and she mimicked the motion.

“Does that make her intent clear, Father?”

The priest frowned and let out a huff before agreeing. “Aye. It will do.” He went on to murmur something about the bride having no shoes, but Bryce paid him no mind. Instead he took Dorie’s hand in his.

“Go on then with the vows,” Bryce said, wanting it to be done.

After dealing with the issue of his bride’s silence, things went rather quickly. In no time at all, the priest pronounced them wed. Bryce watched his new wife’s eyes go wide as Lach came forward with his dirk. He nicked Bryce’s skin first and then took her wrist.

When she fought, Bryce reached out to place his hand on her shoulder. She steadied when he gave her a nod.

For all she couldn’t speak, she definitely understood him. And he found he could understand her as well. Mayhap everything they needed to communicate in the short time they’d be together could be accomplished with their eyes.

When her hand was open and seeping, Bryce placed his own to hers as their hands were bound. He said the words alone as she watched. When he gave her hand a squeeze, she tightened her grip in reply.

“It’s done,” Lach said as he untied them. Bryce flexed his hand, feeling the sting from the binding ceremony.

“Nay.” Wallace stepped forward. “The MacKinlays have weaseled out of the agreement too many times for me to leave without consummation. Once you’ve marked your sheets with her blood, I’ll take what’s owed and be on my way, our agreement secured.”

Dorie’s eyes went wide at the mention of blood.

“Don’t be skittish, girl. Go do your duty.” Her brother gave her a shove as Bryce held on to her hand.

Skittish was the proper word. Bryce held on tighter to her hand in an effort to keep her from running off, but she panicked. One moment he was watching as her eyes darted in all directions, most likely looking for escape. The next, she had bitten his hand, causing him to let go.

Once released, his wife tore out of the hall toward the bailey with her brother and cousin on her trail.

“Christ almighty,” Bryce cursed, and followed behind them with blood seeping from both wounds.

Dorie hadn’t made it far before Wallace gripped her hair and tugged her back to him. A sharp slap on her cheek would have knocked her down if he weren’t still holding her up by her hair.

She whimpered as he yelled at her. “Where do you think you’re going, you stupid bitch? Get back in there and let him take you so I can be done with this place.”

The lout raised his hand to strike her again. Bryce saw her wince in anticipation of a blow that didn’t come. Bryce grabbed the man’s arm and twisted it back, ready to break it if the arse gave him a reason to.