Page 72 of The Beast

Unhappy with the view, Beatrice struggled to move the furniture and then unlocked the door. Duncan would not come inside directly. Whatever had to happen would take place in the courtyard. She had plenty of time to lock herself in.

At the end of the corridor, she could look over from a balcony to the great hall. The house remained quiet. Then a guard hurried past toward the dining room to alert her father about an approaching rider.

Moments later, Evander and Padraig rushed past and out the front door. Her mother and Lady Mariel came next, pushing her father’s rolling chair.

Beatrice stepped back, not wanting to be seen and went to Evander’s bedchamber. From his balcony she’d be able to see everything, and hopefully keep from being seen.

Upon Duncan entering the outer courtyard, he dismounted and stable lads came to take his horse. Evander held out a hand shouting for them to stay back. “He will not be staying.”

Without a break in his stride, Duncan stalked toward her brothers. He was like a wild man, his hair now past his shoulders, flying in the breeze. There was an intensity about him that if not for her brother’s fiery temper should have warned them to maintain a safe distance.

“I must speak to yer father,” Duncan called out.

“Ye are not welcome here,” Evander shouted back, advancing toward Duncan, Padraig at his side. “Leave.”

Beatrice was glad for her bird’s eye view. Her parents and Lady Mariel could not see past the gate of the inner courtyard. However, Beatrice was sure they could hear what was said.

“I will not go anywhere until I speak to Laird Macdonald and my wife.”

“Ye gave up any rights to make demands upon abandoning my sister,” Padraig responded seeming barely able to keep from tackling Duncan to the ground.

A gasp escaped when Duncan rushed her brothers. Catching them by surprise, he was able to make it to the inner gates where he collided with a pair of guards. His size and speed gave him enough momentum to get past them as well. By the time he reached the inner courtyard, Evander and Padriag had caught up with him.

Evander’s fist connected with Duncan’s jaw first, Padraig managed to hit him in the stomach before Duncan swung and punched her younger brother so hard, he stumbled backward.

With a deep growl Evander charged, and both tumbled to the ground. Duncan got to his feet first and upon Evander standing, he rushed him. The grappling men crashing through the garden fence. A pair of maids screamed and scurried away just as Padraig joined the fight.

Her brothers struggled to gain dominance over Duncan. He was much too large and muscular to contain. First, he lifted Padraig and tossed him into a horse trough, and then he grabbed Evander about the waist and like a heavy stone threw him in the air until her brother landed in the center of the garden patch.

While her brother recovered, Darach appeared. Duncan hesitated when his brother neared.

It was a mistake.

The golden-haired laird swung wide, his fists hitting her husband hard, first in the face and secondly in his midsection. The hits were so powerful, Duncan sailed backward and landed on his back.

Darach stood over him with clenched fists. “Do not dare get up.” Like a lion defending against attack, Darach’s deep voice seemed to boom.

“Ye have disrespected this place enough, brother.”

At this point, Beatrice gave up trying to remain hidden and leaned out to get a clear view of what would happen next.

Duncan tried to catch his breath. His brother could always beat him with his hard punches. Although he was stronger, Darach hit harder. Even if Darach had not knocked him to his arse, he would not have hit him back. His brother was also his laird and demanded respect.

The Macdonalds glared down at him, but Duncan kept from looking at them by keeping his attention past Darach’s shoulder to Beatrice. She stood on a balcony, her attention locked on what occurred and Duncan was ashamed of losing his temper with her brothers.

“I should not have fought back,” he said to Darach and spit out blood.

“Ye should not have come at all,” his brother replied. “Get on yer horse and come with me.”

Without a word, Darach walked to where Duncan’s horse was held by a stable lad. “Ye will not seek to speak to the laird or come here again unless granted permission.” Darach glanced to where Beatrice stood.

“By yer actions, I would be very surprised if they grant it.”

Duncan mounted and rode out. He didn’t dare look to his wife, too afraid to see hatred. Instead, he looked to his mother, who met his gaze and mouthed, “I love ye.” With one hand splayed on her chest, she looked about to cry.

In his rashness, he’d ended up making things worse. If the Macdonalds would have considered allowing him to seek an audience with the laird, now they would definitely deny it.

After a few moments, Darach rode out to where he was. Together they continued toward the local village without saying too much.