Highlander Most Wanted (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #2)(62)

They’d been magical. She’d been filled with a longing that instilled an ache deep in her soul.

She didn’t entirely understand it—she didn’t understand Bowen or his seeming interest in her. Had she imagined it? Nay, he couldn’t feign something like that, and what purpose would be served by deceiving her in such a fashion?

He acted as though he genuinely cared, which puzzled her because, given the sins she’d committed against his clan, he should be angry. He should want vengeance. Or, at least, for her to pay for those sins.

And there was the fact that she was no great beauty and Bowen was so beautiful to look at that it hurt.

She was damaged. The whore of another. She wore his stamp of possession on her cheek, and that would never change. Every time Bowen looked upon her scar he’d be reminded that another man had possessed her.

A sense of futility filled her heart until she could no longer bear the weight of it.

What would happen to her now that Bowen’s brother had arrived? Would she be punished? Would she be sent away?

So many questions that she didn’t have answers for. And she wasn’t sure she was brave enough to demand them from Bowen or his brother, the laird.

If she was truthful, she’d admit that she wished with all her heart to go back in time and relive the past days over and over.

She was struck by the fact that, for the first time in a year, she’d been … happy. It was astounding, but it was true. She’d been content. She’d smiled. She’d laughed. And she’d been happy.

How long had it been since she’d enjoyed a moment in time? Precious minutes filled with contentment?

Not since she’d left the bosom of her family had she considered herself happy.

A warm tear leaked from the corner of her eye and trailed down her cheek.

Happiness seemed impossible. A lifetime ago. Something she’d thought never to experience again.

But, just for a moment, Bowen had given her that, only for her to have it cruelly snatched away by the encroachment of reality.

Chapter 30

“Graeme!” Bowen called as he strode across the courtyard to greet his brother.

Graeme turned from where he stood with Teague and Brodie, his eyebrows furrowed as he took in Bowen’s appearance. As Bowen neared, Graeme pulled him into a hearty embrace and slapped him on the back.

“You look hale and hearty,” Graeme observed. “From the report I received, I expected you to be abed convalescing.”

Bowen smiled. “ ’Twas greatly exaggerated, my injury. ’Twas naught but a scratch.”

“That scratch required extensive stitching,” Teague drawled.

Graeme’s gaze sharpened. “Is this true?”

Bowen shrugged. “I am well. ’Tis all that matters.”

“Aye,” Graeme agreed. “Indeed, ’tis all that matters.”

“How fares Eveline?” Bowen asked. “And Rorie? Did you leave them at the keep?”

Graeme shook his head. “Rorie stayed behind. She was distraught over missing her reading lessons. But I bore Eveline to her family at Armstrong Keep. I worry that she is not over the upset caused by her abduction.”

“I just hope you brought us food,” Teague grumbled. “I’m nigh to starving!”

“I would know all that has occurred here,” Graeme said, ignoring Teague’s outburst.

Bowen flinched inwardly, knowing that he would have to tell Graeme about Genevieve and the part she played in Eveline’s abduction. ’Twas a task he didn’t relish. The last thing he wanted was to be the one responsible for having more anger directed at the lass.

Already he was determined that, even though he had to tell Graeme all, he would bring his brother around on the matter of Genevieve. No matter what it took.

He hadn’t set it in his mind exactly what his plans were regarding the lass. He knew only that he didn’t want to be without her. And, in order to ensure that, he had to convince Graeme to offer her sanctuary within the very clan that Genevieve had betrayed.

That was assuming that Genevieve bore any affection at all for him.

It was a matter he had to drive from his mind, because the alternative didn’t bear thinking about.

“Let us go within, where we may speak,” Bowen said.

Graeme started to gesture toward Teague to accompany him and Bowen inside when Bowen put out his hand to stop his brother.

“Nay,” Bowen said quietly. “What I have to say needs be said in private.”

Teague’s eyebrows rose and Graeme’s eyes narrowed as he studied Bowen. After a moment’s hesitation, he nodded.

“Very well. Then let us go and discuss what’s on your mind.”

Bowen issued an order for Graeme’s horse to be attended to, and then he and Graeme left Teague and Brodie standing in the courtyard.

Forgoing the hall, where he should have offered his brother refreshment after his travels, he instead stopped a serving woman and issued a command for her to serve him and Graeme inside his chamber.

“Your secrecy is making me extremely curious,” Graeme said as they mounted the stairs. “Is aught amiss?”

Bowen remained silent until they were behind the closed door of his chamber. He directed Graeme to make himself comfortable in one of the chairs by the fire.

Graeme shook the travel dust from his tunic before easing down to stretch his legs before the fire.