Page 50 of His Forgotten Highland Bride

Chapter Nineteen

Brenna nearly collapsed in relief, so glad Ronan had believed her even before Ewan had shown his colors and outed himself. But something still bothered her about the exchange with Ewan in the stables.

He’d said he should be laird.

Until then he’d always said he should be laird over Brenna because he was blood and she was not. While it wasn’t pleasant, Brenna at least understood why he might think that. She’d questioned the laird’s choice because she was not a Grant by blood and had only lived with the clan for five years.

But now it sounded like Ewan thought he should be laird over Ronan. The laird’s son as opposed to his grandson. However, that wasn’t how these things worked. Ronan was the firstborn son of the firstborn son—the rightful heir of the clan. Geordie had once told her he always favored Edward, Ronan’s father, because he’d been born of the laird’s first wife, who also happened to be the love of his life, while Ewan had been born of his third wife.

Because of this, Ronan had been favored simply because he was all that was left of the bond between Geordie and his beloved wife. Had Ewan known and resented it? The auld laird was not shy about saying such things. Perhaps this had turned Ewan against Ronan as well as her.

“I would ask that you be careful, husband,” Brenna said.

“Me? You need protection, and I’ll see your guards are given a proper reward for keeping you safe.”

“Thank you,” she answered, grateful he understood. He now seemed set on whatever was required to keep her safe. Which meant she would be free to watch over him.

It was clear Ewan’s interruption had doused their earlier kisses. Ronan offered to escort her to the kitchens’ safety so he could speak to his men, though she’d have rather spent the day in their chamber. Instead, she would spend the afternoon with the ladies as usual. Even if so much about her felt different.

“No rabbits today?” Jane noticed right away.

“Oh, uh…” Brenna should have had a ready excuse, but she’d had much to consider.

“Why has her face gone to red like that?” Corinne asked.

“It appears there is a juicy reason why she has no rabbits today,” Ada commented. “Perhaps the laird accompanied her on the hunt this morning.”

As much as Brenna tried to think of something else, she could feel her face get even hotter, causing Corinne to squeal with glee.

“I don’t think they spent their time hunting. Are your lips swollen from his kisses, lass?”

Brenna instinctively put her fingers to her lips to feel for herself, but it only proved Corinne’s assumption correct. She’d fallen for the trick.

“Tell us everything. Did he make up for lost time?” Ada asked.

“Girls, don’t trouble the mistress. She may be our friend, but she is the lady of the castle and deserves privacy,” Jane came to Brenna’s defense.

“Oh, poo, Jane. The laird’s been away for five years. I would expect nothing less than for our lady of the castle to walk straight for a few days.”

Their ribald humor was always amusing until it was focused on her. Fortunately, Jane changed the subject and moved their focus to the tarts they planned to make that day.

Other than a few comments, Brenna made it through the day unscathed.

At dinner time, the laird escorted her to their table. When Ewan came to take his seat next to Ronan, the laird shook his head.

“Please move down, Ewan. This seat should be for my war chief. Will should be along shortly.”

If Brenna thought her face had been red under the scrutiny of the women, her cheeks couldn’t have come close to the purple of Ewan’s flesh when he was forced to move to the end of the table to make room for the guard.

The glare he sent in her direction spoke of his unfettered hatred for her.

“And uncle…” Ronan added once Ewan was seated. “If you don’t stay away from my wife, you’ll take your meals in the dungeon. Do ye understand?”

“What has the witch said about me? She lies to turn you against your blood.”

“She told me nothing. Perhaps when you threaten people in the stables, you’d be wise to see they are alone first.”

All the blood that had turned Ewan’s face purple seemed to flush from his body as he went pale and wide-eyed. He jumped from his seat a moment later and rushed from the hall, moving faster than Brenna had seen him manage.