Highlander Most Wanted (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #2)(58)

“I’d rather not have to break up a fight between the two of you,” Brodie said in a calm voice. “The word was spread that you entered the hall in a killing rage and that surely another McHugh life would be forfeit. Teague and I merely came to ascertain your demeanor for ourselves.”

Bowen snorted. “ ’Tis true enough I scowled at the lot of them, but I’ve not shed any more blood. Not yet. But the day is still young. I may have a need before ’tis over with.”

Teague lifted his chin in Brodie’s direction. “I say we don’t allow him all the amusement.”

Bowen chuckled and shook his head. “I aim to make my point loud and clear. Consequences will be outlined for disobeying my directive where Genevieve is concerned.”

Teague stared at him a long moment and then lifted his gaze to Brodie. “Would you excuse us a moment, Brodie? I’d like to have a word alone with my brother.”

Brodie nodded and slipped away, disappearing around the corner of the keep.

Bowen raised one inquiring eyebrow in Teague’s direction.

“What are your plans for the lass?” Teague asked bluntly. “And I don’t mean what do you intend to do with her as far as punishment or retribution. ’Tis obvious you have a keen interest in her. I’m more interested in your personal plans for her.”

Bowen frowned. “I’d say ’tis none of your affair.”

“Don’t hand me that,” Teague muttered. “Think on this, Bowen. Do not do this to the lass. You want to bed her. ’Tis plain as the nose on your face. She isn’t a lass to be casually bedded, and you should well know this. I may have reservations where she is concerned, but she’s been hurt enough. Don’t take advantage of her in this manner.”

Bowen stared in shock at his younger brother. “You insult me, brother. Who says I have any intention of casually bedding the lass? Moreover, ’tis none of your affair what my actions are toward Genevieve. You’ve made your judgment of her clear.”

Teague shook his head. “Nay, I have not. I have eyes. I can see how tormented the lass is. I can see what has been done to her spirit. ’Tis enough to turn my stomach. You make a game of bedding lasses. You use wit and charm to woo them into your bed, and then you move on to another challenge. I’m merely telling you that you should have more respect for Genevieve than to simply make her another conquest.”

Bowen’s lips curled and he bared his teeth. They ground together until his jaw pained him. He advanced on his brother, a low growl emanating from his throat.

“I love her,” he said fiercely. “She is not some passing amusement. The last thing I’m going to do is hurt her. I’ll kill anyone who tries.”

By saying it aloud, he thought perhaps it might seem silly to him. That perhaps he’d been swept up in the moment with Genevieve and that maybe he wasn’t quite to the point of love yet.

But he was dead wrong. The words felt right on his lips. Saying them aloud only confirmed what his heart already knew. He was well and truly in love with the lass, and there was naught but contentment within him at the whole idea.

Teague’s mouth dropped open and his eyes widened in shock. He continued to stare wordlessly at Bowen until finally Bowen shoved his hand through his hair in disgust.

“Hellfire, Teague. Stop gaping at me like a fish out of water.”

Teague shook his head and then blew out his breath. “Have you lost your mind?”

“ ’Tis clear I have,” Bowen bit out. “ ’Tis no fault of mine that I fell in love with the lass. Do you know how ridiculous it sounds? I fall in love with a woman made whore by another man. I fall in love with a woman whose face was ruined by a blade. I fall in love with a woman who betrayed my kin. Take your pick. ’Tis obvious I’m not in my right mind, but it does not change the fact of what is.”

“What the hell are you going to do?” Teague asked.

“I know not,” Bowen said wearily. “ ’Tis true she set Ian on Eveline.”

At Teague’s instant scowl, Bowen broke off and held up his hand.

“The lass had sound reason,” Bowen defended.

“You are out of your mind,” Teague said in disgust.

“Just listen,” Bowen snapped.

Bowen carefully explained Genevieve’s reasoning in encouraging Ian to abduct Eveline. He was reaching and he knew it, but he was determined to win favor for Genevieve in some manner.

Teague sighed when Bowen finished his explanation. “Am I supposed to applaud the lass’s ingenuity in angering the Montgomerys and Armstrongs alike so they attack the keep and she is rescued? What would have happened if Eveline had been raped or killed? Think you Graeme would look kindly on the woman responsible just because she acted in self-preservation?”

Bowen clenched his teeth even harder. “I’m asking you to consider for a moment if our sister was in Genevieve’s place. Would you condemn her then? If she consigned a woman who was not our kin to a similar fate, would you be so quick to malign her? Or is it because ’tis Eveline we discuss and not some nameless, faceless woman?”

Teague hesitated, and Bowen knew he had him. It was all he could do not to smile his satisfaction.

“ ’Tis not fair to make me imagine Rorie in Genevieve’s position. I wouldn’t care who Rorie had to condemn in order for her to escape such depravity.”