An Auctioned Bride (Highland Heartbeats #4)(30)

For several moments, he remained silent, just staring at her.

She couldn't read his expression, other than that slight frown.

“And, given the knowledge of your circumstances, I'm beginning to think that even lingering in this area is ill-advised.”

Why was he talking like this? Was he trying to make her feel guilty? Guilty for something over which she had no control? A fit of resentment surged upward.

“So go look for your brother,” she said, feigning a lack of concern. “I'm not stopping you.”

His frown darkened.

Perhaps that wasn't the wisest comment she could've made, but he couldn't possibly blame her for the situation, could he?

“I am, obviously, in no position to stop you from doing anything you want to do,” she continued, determined not to be afraid of this man, her husband. “If you want to find your brother, find your brother.”

Why was he looking for his brother? Didn't he know where he lived? Were they close or distant? She failed to tamp down her curiosity.

He lifted an eyebrow. “And if, by some chance, whoever ordered your kidnapping, and possible murder, found out you were still alive? What then, Dalla? Would you announce to the entire northern region that you're alive and well? With your distinctive appearance, the color of your hair, the scene you caused by running away in the village? You know how villagers and sailors talk.” He shook his head. “Then again, maybe you don't. But I'll tell you now that news of your presence… the silver-haired Norwegian beauty bought by a Scottish highlander… has made its way up and down the coastline.”

He thought she was beautiful? She shook her head, not allowing her thoughts to stray in that direction.

What he said was true. If someone was looking for her, perhaps to ensure themselves of her death, news of her appearance could pose problems not only for her, but for Hugh.

Did she care? She tried to tell herself that she didn't, but she knew she would be lying to herself. Yes, they were enemies, politically at least. But he had saved her life twice now, and he treated her fairly well, and he had yet to raise a hand to her. She knew very well that she could have been much worse off. Much worse.

For an instant, and an instant only, she felt bad for him, but then her curiosity got the better of her. “Why are you looking for your brother?”

“Because I want to see him,” he answered simply, shoulders stiffening.

There was more to it than that. “How long has it been since you've seen him?”

“Why do you care?”

Now it was her turn to lift an eyebrow. “I don't, not particularly, but if you're going to blame me for not being able to seek him out, then I think I have a right to know, don't I?”

They locked eyes for several moments, and then he sighed. “It's been over ten years,” he began, his voice soft. “After my father died, my brother and I made our homes on Duncan lands, in the shadows of Ben Nevis. The Duncans are a powerful clan. My brother, Derek, wanted a different life, and I wanted to stay, to serve as a warrior, protector, of the Duncans. A few years ago, my mother passed away. Recent circumstances… well, changes actually…” He shook his head. “Anyway, I felt it was time to find him. Not only to let him know that our mother has died, but to perhaps restore the relationship we used to have.”

“What caused the rift between you two?” She had no idea why she even cared, but she did. She had always longed for a sibling, someone with whom to share her deepest secrets; secrets that she had not even shared with Megan, despite their close friendship.

“It wasn't really a rift, just that we both wanted different things, I suppose.”

“And your brother… you think he's living in one of the seaports?”

“Jake, a good friend of mine, saw him a while back, said he had started a shipping business to the north.”

“And you don't know where?”

He shook his head and shrugged. “I had planned on searching the villages along the coastline. If he's still alive and doing business, someone will surely have heard of it in one of the seaports along the coast.”

She said nothing. What could she say? While she knew it wasn't her fault that she had interrupted his search for his brother, she tried to imagine what he might be feeling. Disappointment? Resentment?

“In a few days, we will return south, to Duncan lands. I must go hunting today. A deer would provide sufficient food for most of our journey.” He pushed himself away from the door frame, crossing his arms over his chest once more. “Do I need to tie you up inside the hut, or will you promise to stay put?”

She definitely didn't want to be tied up, but could she promised to stay put? Even if she managed to escape, where could she go?

“Now answer my question. Do I need to tie you, or will you stay put?”

She scowled up at him before muttering her reply. “I'll stay put.”

He nodded in satisfaction, but as she watched him prepare for his hunt, she was forced to ask herself a question.

Would she stay put or would emotion override logic?





19





It was mid-afternoon before Hugh returned to the hut. The cool bite in the air heralded the potential for early snow, and he knew that he should start making preparations to head south sooner rather than later.