Chapter 5

It took a few moments for Kira to realize that the kisses had ceased, that Alec he had removed his caressing fingers. The edge he had been driving her towards receded. She felt let down and began to come round from the dream, opening her eyes to find his staring coldly back at her.

Her voice a mere whisper, she asked, “Why have ye stopped?”

In reply, he pushed her from his lap and got up. Her legs were like jelly, and she only just stopped herself from collapsing to the floor.

To her shock, he turned on her, his face a cold mask.

“That was just a lesson tae show ye who’s the boss around here. Dinnae ever think ye can pull a trick like ye did today, tryin’ tae make me look a fool by runnin’ away like that. Never! Ye may like tae think ye can fool me, but ye’re nae so clever. Ye think ye’re better than me, but ye’re nae,” he told her in a voice like gravel.

“What d’ye mean?” she asked, still weak and confused, suddenly remembering she was stark naked. Feeling vulnerable under his onslaught, she covered herself with her arms as best she could. But, of course, it was no good. She was at the mercy of his icy gaze.

“Ye ken well what I mean,” he said with a sneer. “Listen tae me now, fer I’ll nae repeat mesel’. I warn ye, dinnae underestimate me power, Kira. If ye wish tae earn me respect then ye’d best learn tae show me the same respect. I’m yer husband and nae a man tae be trifled with.”

He left her then, naked and shivering, feeling utterly humiliated as she struggled to gather the tattered shreds of her dignity around her along with her clothing.

“Ye bastard,” she muttered under her breath, furious once more. At the same time, she was shaken by what had happened. She had imagined she could fool him, it was true. Now, though, he had reminded her in no uncertain terms just what a fearsome brute he really was.

She hated that she could still feel the effects of his touch upon her body, the lingering slickness between her thighs. She blushed with shame recalling how he had so easily reduced her to a pleading, quivering jelly in his hands.

Ye stupid wee idiot, ye allowed him tae manipulate ye, yer body, and yer mind. By yer wanton behavior, ye’ve betrayed yer own vow fer revenge, and along with it yer faither’s memory and yer whole clan. That cannae be allowed tae stand.

But even as thefamiliar hatred bubbled up inside her once again, and she renewed her vow to make Alec’s life a misery, she begrudgingly accepted that there was more to her husband than she had first thought.

Alec strode away from his chambers with his mind and body in a state of turmoil that he thought was not possible for him to feel. Though he composed his face into its usual impenetrable, emotionless mask as he stalked along the castle hallways, he was, in truth, still reeling from the infuriating, entertaining, and wildly erotic encounter with his new wife. And he did not like it one little bit.

That was why he had had to leave in a hurry. To have let her see how she was affecting him was unthinkable. He knew that if he had not gotten a hold of himself at the last moment, things would have gone too far, and his mask would have slipped. There was no doubt in his mind that if she caught so much as a glimpse of the real man behind it, the fierce little vixen would exploit it to the maximum.

So he had been cruel, vicious even, and had deliberately humiliated her. For after making him a feel like a fool by running away, then biting him, and then laughing in his face at the idea of lying with him as a wife should, he had been angry and deemed it necessary to show his ascendency over her.

She needed putting in her place!

But now, he felt more than a little ashamed and guilty for giving in to his, he had to admit, childish need to wrinkle her dress and muss her hair, to play on her inexperience with men, in order to prove his superiority and crack open that perfect doll-like fa?ade. He had gone much, much further than he had intended.

She’s a good little fighter, and she’s already said she wants tae kill me. I’ll need eyes in the back of me head fer after what happened back there, she’s surely gonnae get her revenge!

He entered his study and stopped in his tracks to see Catreena there, sitting with a book in her hands, her legs curled beneath her skirts, in an armchair by the hearth.

“What are ye doing in here?” he asked, going over to his desk and throwing himself into his chair.

“Waitin’ fer ye,” she said simply, shutting the book. He glanced over to see it was another of her many books on healing. She was studying the subject, hoping to become a healer herself one day.

“Why? I’m busy. I have work tae dae, ye ken.”

“Why did ye have tae drag Kira away from her own wedding party like that, Alec?”

“That’s nae concern of yers, Catreena. She’s me wife, nae yers.”

“That attitude is exactly what I’m talkin’ about. I saw the way ye behaved, nae helping her with her chair. That was very rude. I was ashamed of ye.”

“Me heart bleeds,” he replied, knowing he was acting just like the brute Kira had accused him of being, but he was unable to stop himself.

“She’s a lovely lass. And she made such a beautiful bride, so neat and nae a hair out of place. Ye should be proud. The King’s done ye a big favor, if ye ask me.”

“I’m nae so sure,” he retorted drily, shuffling some papers on his desk, wishing she would go so he could brood on his situation in private.

Catreena got up and came to stand before the desk, looking at him penetratingly with her icy blue eyes. He hated it when she did that, for it was as though she was trying to read his mind.

“Ye ken ye’re married tae her now, Alec. Maybe ye could give her a chance, be kind tae her, seein’ as she’s far from her home and family.”

“And firmly believes we murdered her faither,” he put in, staring back at her challengingly.

“Just give her a chance and try nae tae act like a caveman.”

Annoyed by her insistence, Alec folded his arms and sat back in his chair.

“And why should I dae that, Careena? When our faither died in me arms on the battlefield, murdered, I didnae accuse anybody of bein’ responsible and start a bloody war, did I?” Not waiting for her to answer, he continued, “Nay, I didnae. And d’ye ken why nae? Because I lacked that little thing called proof. But the Fraser clan, now they’re another kettle of fish. They dinnae require proof, it seems. ’Tis enough fer them tae make assumptions, listen tae rumor and gossip tae start a war. D’ye ken how many of our people have died because of it?”

“I ken all that—” Catreena began, but Alec cut her off.

“I’ve spent the last three years tryin’ tae find out who murdered Faither. And I’m pretty sure now I ken who it was; Laird Clyde Shaw, the bastard.” He spat the name before going on, “And I’m pretty close tae findin’ proof of it. Then, and only then, will I seek revenge. So, tell me now, sister, why should I give this wee Fraser lass I’ve been forced tae marry against me will the slack I was nae given before her clan started this feud with us?”

Catreena leaned her palms on the desk and said, “Hate is a powerful tool, braither, and ye should ken better than tae use it against yer wife.” She paused, her eyes boring into him until he felt very uncomfortable.

Thank the Wee Man she cannae read me mind. If she kent what I’ve just done tae Kira.

Catreena pushed away from the desk. “So, ye’re pretty certain ’tis Laird Shaw behind Faither’s death, are ye? Is that where Evander and Dunn are? Findin’ that proof?” she asked.

“Aye, but keep it tae yersel’. I’ve sent them out scoutin’ Shaw’s movements. He’s always been our enemy, but then he seemed tae go quiet after Faither was killed, like he was layin’ low. I had me suspicions he was responsible back then but could get naethin’ on him. But lately, he’s been doin’ some strange things, as if he’s up tae something. And I intend tae find out what it is.”

Catreena went to pick up her book. “I hope ye’re right, Alec, but I pray Evander and Dunn come back in one piece, proof or nae. Shaw’s a dangerous man from what I’ve heard.” She moved gracefully to the door, but before she left, she tuned back and said, “Remember what I said. Be kind tae Kira. Ye’ll only make things worse fer yerself if ye carry on as ye did tonight.”

With that she left him, closing the door quietly behind her.

Relieved to be alone, his sister’s words lingering in his mind and his conscience pricking him, Alec went and poured himself a large dram. He went to sit by the hearth. He drank the whisky down, grateful for its warmth as it spread through his insides. Then, he sighed and put his head in his hands, feeling suddenly weary.

Suspicion and hatred of Shaw were very much on his mind these days. The desire to revenge their father was like an unwavering flame burning in his belly that drove him on. He longed to get the proof of Shaw’s guilt that he needed to act against him.

But now, thanks to the King in all his royal wisdom, he had another problem to deal with; a wife who hated him. Why could she not have been plain, submissive, and compliant? Why did she have to be a spitfire who swore like a soldier, a trained warrior at that, who had run from him and threatened to kill him more than once?

Even more unfair was the fact that she was so beautiful and desirable, a woman who embodied every physical attribute he could have wished for in his wildest, most lustful dreams. She sent his temperature soaring just looking at her. Surely, the gods were laughing at him.

He wanted her, all right. But wedding night or not, he knew that unless he forced himself on her—which he knew he could do, though he suspected he would come away scarred for life if he tried it—she would refuse to let him bed her.

Deep down inside, there was a part of him that relished the challenge she presented. How much sweeter it would be when she did relent. Perhaps that was why he did not return to the marriage chamber but instead grabbed a blanket and made himself comfortable on the large settee, seeking refuge from his worries in sleep.