The Highlander's Defiant Captive (The Lairds Most Likely 4)

Another shock. Had she just expressed a shred of trust in him? Grudging. Partial. But the first sign that she viewed him as more than a ravening monster intent on her destruction.

"It's the provocation I want to talk about."

"You've manhandled me since ye took me from Bruard," she retorted. "You've tied me up and coerced me and removed me from everything familiar. A glass of wine in the face is the least ye deserve from me."

Not to mention a knife cut and a blow to the head. She seemed to have forgotten her previous attacks. "Perhaps."

"Especially when ye made those unfounded claims about our wedding."

That wasn't the argument he wanted to have now. "You're a laird's daughter and a canny lassie besides that. Ye know what you did was a direct challenge to my authority. If my people dinnae believe I can control one wee lassie, they willnae believe I can lead and nurture and protect them. A laird rules through respect alone. Or at least I do."

"So it's my fault ye hauled me out of that crowd like a sack of potatoes so everyone thinks you're giving me a good dose of discipline in your private chambers?"

Her sarcasm made him wince. "Aye."

"I suppose it's my fault ye kidnapped me at all." The sweetness in her tone dripped poison.

"If ye challenge me directly, you willnae win. You didnae win tonight. You'll pay the price if ye do anything like that again."

"The world will call me your doxy. I'd say I've already paid for my temerity in facing do

wn a great bully of a Mackinnon."

"Open defiance has consequences."

She stood up and wrapped her arms around herself as though she was cold. "You've made your point. Leave me."

Despite the serious issues they still needed to resolve, he hid a smile. That was a pestilential lordly dismissal from a woman who claimed powerlessness.

"Och, no, lassie. That’s no’ how we’ll play this. I willnae bed ye until we’re wed, but as reward for your recklessness, you've got my company all night."

Chapter 9

"But ye cannae…" Mhairi staggered back on legs that felt like they were made of string. "Ye said…"

A whole night trapped in the same room as the Mackinnon? The idea was unthinkable. How long would his chivalry hold out against the desire she smelled on his skin every time he came near her?

She gulped for air as the room receded around her. A strong arm curled around her waist to save her from crumpling to the floor.

"I swore I willnae hurt ye, and I mean it," he said urgently. "But my people have to believe I spent the night at your side."

She looked up into deep brown eyes that on occasion she’d been fool enough to think of as kind. They didn’t look kind now. "No."

"Aye."

A knock cut through the rising tension. Frowning, the Mackinnon released Mhairi and crossed to open the door. Jean stood outside carrying a tray laden with food.

"Mackinnon, you’re both missing dinner. I thought you'd be hungry."

"Jean, I didnae expect to be interrupted." Irritation gave his voice a gravelly quality that had a strange effect on Mhairi’s pulse. "I have business with the lassie."

The woman cast him an unimpressed glance. She ignored the lack of welcome and moved past to place the tray on the table. "Och, Mackinnon, I've known ye since you were a wean. Those thickheaded loons downstairs might imagine you're up here swiving the Drummond lass into next year. But you're a man of principle. Ye wouldnae do that to an unwilling woman. Especially when ye intend to marry her with every honor."

Mhairi swallowed her astonishment. The fact that the woman was right made her remarks even more surprising. She hadn't been at Achnasheen long enough to pay much attention to anyone other than the Mackinnon. Now she recalled that Jean was kinder than the two younger girls who served her. At least, the older woman hadn't pinched her.

"She challenged my authority as laird," he said coldly.

"Och, give over, Mackinnon. I can see ye like the lassie, for all she’s a Drummond. You're no’ about to hurt her."