Highlander Most Wanted (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #2)(64)

“What?”

Graeme exploded, sitting forward, some of the food knocked from the plate. His jaw was clenched, then he wiped at his mouth and stared at Bowen in confusion.

“The lass was responsible for Eveline’s abduction? I don’t understand.”

“ ’Tis not necessary to go over every aspect,” Bowen said in a low voice.

“Oh, aye, it is,” Graeme said, cutting Bowen off before he could proceed. “It’s very necessary. If this Genevieve had anything to do with Eveline’s abduction, I want to know about it.”

Bowen sighed. “She encouraged Ian to seek revenge. Word had drifted to Ian and Patrick of the deceit Eveline had perpetuated in order to escape her betrothal to Ian. Ian felt a fool and Genevieve took advantage of his anger and his fixation with the lass. She helped plot Eveline’s abduction and goaded Ian to act.”

“For God’s sake why?” Graeme roared.

“Because we were her only hope of salvation,” Bowen gritted out.

Graeme blinked and then shook his head. “You aren’t making sense.”

“I’m making perfect sense. The lass is smart. She knew that the Montgomerys and the Armstrongs would not tolerate the taking of Eveline. One or both of the clans would be forced into action. Genevieve knew that we would come and we would seek revenge on Ian—and Patrick. It was her only hope of escaping the life that Ian had forced upon her.”

Graeme’s jaw bulged and he flexed it as he clamped his teeth together. ’Twas obvious he was battling his anger, and Bowen didn’t want that anger to go unchecked.

“There’s something else you should know, Graeme.”

Graeme glanced up, meeting Bowen’s determined gaze.

“I’m in love with her.”

Chapter 31

Graeme’s face grew stormy. His mouth worked up and down, but no words would come out. Then he shook his head. “She betrayed our clan—she betrayed Eveline—and you love her? Have you taken leave of your senses?”

Bowen’s lips tightened. “She had good reason for what she did. I’m torn on my feelings over it, but she was in a desperate position and she did what she had to in order to survive. I cannot fault the lass for that. If Eveline was not your beloved wife, you would not see fault, either.”

“Do not tell me what I would find fault in,” Graeme said fiercely. “She purposely put another woman in harm’s way for her own gain. I shudder to think of all that Eveline endured. ’Tis my greatest fear, even today, that she did not speak of all of it in an effort to spare me the pain of knowing. Have you any idea what it’s like to worry that something that horrific has happened to someone you love with all your heart and soul?”

“That and more has happened to Genevieve. Repeatedly,” Bowen said coldly.

Graeme exhaled and his expression eased. He looked weary and he rubbed at his forehead.

“ ’Tis not something I can easily forgive, Bowen. You have to understand that. You cannot expect me to accept this.”

“I promised her that we would give her sanctuary within the Montgomery clan,” Bowen said through a tight jaw. “I would give her that protection as my wife.”

Graeme’s jaw went slack, and his eyes darkened with anger. “You would marry a woman who has so wronged your clan? Your sister by marriage? Think of what you do, Bowen. She has you by the cods. ’Tis clear she is manipulating you.”

Fury blew over Bowen. He’d not expected Graeme to be happy over the situation. He expected his anger. He’d not expected Graeme to take things this far and insult him in the process.

“I’ll not grant my blessing for this,” Graeme said, his voice laced with anger. “I’ll not welcome her into the Montgomery clan.”

Ice slid into his heart. Bowen was numb with the realization of the choice before him. And yet he knew without hesitation that it was the right choice. He could not leave Genevieve. He could not break his vow to see her protected. And loved.

She’d been dealt so much at such a young age. It was unconscionable to throw her to the wolves and walk away. He would not live without her. Even if it meant going his own way.

“I’ll be with Genevieve with or without your blessing,” Bowen said, his words dropping like stones in the silence of the room.

Graeme stared at him, mouth gaping. “You would really choose this woman over your own kin?”

Bowen stared back for a long moment, the silence growing ever more uncomfortable. “Tell me something, Graeme. Would you choose your kin over Eveline?”

Graeme seemed stunned by the question. His brows furrowed and he didn’t open his mouth to respond.

Bowen’s lip curled and he gazed at his brother in disgust. “I didn’t think so.”

He turned, only wanting to step away so that his anger could calm and he could think more rationally. When he put his hand out to open the door, he paused and turned back to Graeme, who was still sitting by the fire.

“You can rest in my chamber this night. I’ll seek other accommodations.”

He quietly left the room and shut the door behind him. It was instinctive to go to Genevieve’s door. He hated to barge in without knocking, but neither did he want to remain in the hall long enough to be seen.

He opened the door and slipped inside. Genevieve was by the fire, her long hair unbound and streaming down her shoulders. She was perched in a chair, her knees to her chin and her heels resting on the edge of the seat.