Page 43 of His Forgotten Highland Bride

Chapter Sixteen

Brenna’s anger flared to life like stirring the embers of a fire. Ronan had left her there unprotected with a madman. While he’d spent the last five years living in fear of war, she’d lived in fear of Ewan.

His threats had started the day Ronan left. As an outsider, Brenna was reluctant to say anything to the laird. She didn’t wish to cause trouble. She thought it was just a matter of winning the man over. But it went well beyond that. Ewan hated Brenna and how close she had become with Geordie.

For years, she’d silently feared the man until one day, the laird caught him harassing her and took up her defense. She was so grateful to Geordie for choosing to side with her over his own son.

She’d managed to stay clear of Ewan for the most part after that. But she would be reminded of her error anytime she let down her guard.

When Geordie fell ill, he knew Ewan wouldn’t honor his ruling to have Brenna run the clan and swore his men to protect her. They had saved her life more than once. Geordie believed her because he had seen Ewan harassing her with his own eyes. Would Ronan need the same proof?

“And you would believe me?” she asked him, challenge clear in her voice.

“We once promised each other honesty,” he said with that charming smile back in place. “Do you remember?”

She’d assumed he’d forgotten their promise, just as he’d forgotten her. Still, she nodded, ready to keep that promise now.

“I want to hear your side of the story, Brenna.”

“Very well. My side of the story is that the bugger snuck into my room by climbing in the window and nearly strangled me to death. I cut him so he would leave me be until my men could enter the room with axes. Everyone said I was within my right to have him hanged for what he’d done.”

“But you didn’t.”

“Nay. He is your kin. I thought you would hate me if I’d sought such justice.” She let out a breath. “Not that it matters, as you hate me anyway.”

His face showed his surprise. “I don’t hate you.” His brows pulled together as if he had considered his words. “I may have been angry when I arrived. But no. I don’t hate you. I don’t trust you, but I don’t trust any woman.” He paused for a moment before looking at her again. “Do you hate me?”

His question surprised her. She remembered all the years she had thought to hate him for how much pain he’d caused her. She didn’t think her heart could hold all the animosity she felt. But now…?

“Nay. I don’t hate you, Ronan.” She shook her head. “I don’t trust you, but then I don’t trust any man.” She turned his words for her use.

He grinned and gave a nod. “Fair enough. Mayhap we could start over?”

“Start over?”

“We were both young when we married. We hardly knew anything about each other, and I’d wager what we knew of one another before has changed greatly in the past years. Let’s start anew in this marriage and see if we can find happiness. After all, we will be married for a long time, with God’s blessing. Why not make the most of it?”

She wanted nothing more than to find happiness with this man. Perhaps it would have been wise to think the offer through, but she didn’t. Instead, she grasped on with both hands.

“Aye, I would like that very much.”

He held out his hand, and she placed her palm against his to shake. With his gaze locked on hers, he pulled her hand to his lips and warmly kissed her knuckles.

“As would I,” he said in a voice so silky she thought she might fall over.

She wasn’t sure what she’d just agreed to, but with excitement fluttering in her stomach, she couldn’t care if it was a mistake. She would have to hope it wasn’t.

***

After forging a truce with his wife, they returned to the castle shortly before noon. She’d said she wanted to get to the kitchens, but he wondered how much of her routine was out of fear of an encounter with Ewan. Ronan saw the distress in his wife’s eyes when she thought his uncle had followed her into the woods.

Her story had matched up with what the young warrior had told him. And the fear he’d seen in her eyes that morning couldn’t have been faked. Ronan believed her. He believed Ewan had tried to hurt her. What he didn’t know was why. Ewan had been his best friend from the beginning of his life. Even after Ronan’s mother had married the MacPherson laird, they had spent time together during visits with the Grants.

Shane had claimed the role of brother and best friend, but Ewan had still earned his loyalty. He couldn’t help but think all of this between Ewan and his wife was a misunderstanding between both parties. It was the only thing that made sense.

He’d heard Brenna’s side. Now, he needed to confront his uncle. After being directed to a cottage where a lively wench offered him favors in exchange for coin, Ronan escaped, with a suggestion he try the tavern. There, he came to learn Ewan had been tossed out. And to look for him in the fires of hell where he belonged. Eventually, he found his uncle in a heated argument with the blacksmith.

“You bloody bastard, do you not know who I am? I’m second in command of clan Grant.”