Highlander Most Wanted (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #2)(73)

“ ’Tis naught but a knick,” he assured her as he pulled the cloth away. “It won’t leave a permanent mark.”

Her eyes watered again, and she had to call back the laughter that threatened to escape. “The last thing I’m concerned about is another mark on my face,” she said with a sob.

Sympathy twisted his features. Then he rose, clearing his throat awkwardly. “Shall I fetch Taliesan for you?”

She shook her head. “Nay,” she whispered. “I’d rather be alone right now.”

Teague nodded and started for the door. “Summon me if you have need of anything. I’ll make sure food is brought up for your meal.”

“Thank you,” she said gratefully. “And thank you for helping me.”

Anger darkened his eyes. “ ’Tis disgraceful how they abuse a mere lass. Bowen will be furious. Graeme will not tolerate such,” he amended.

She lifted her fingers to touch the tender spot on her temple and moved it around to inspect the bump on her head.

“Are you all right?” Teague asked gently.

She took in a deep breath and dropped her hand into her lap to grip her other hand. She faced him bravely, determined not to allow him to see how affected she was by the blatant show of animosity.

“Aye, I’m fine,” she said. “Thank you for your aid.”

Teague nodded and left her chamber, closing the door behind him.

“You’ve been out here for hours,” Graeme said dryly.

Bowen turned his head from where he sat on one of the rock outcroppings overlooking the river to see his brother standing a short distance away.

He sighed. “I’ve been thinking.”

Graeme took a step forward until he was directly next to Bowen, his booted feet mere inches from the water lapping the bank.

“Aye, that much is obvious. You didn’t even hear me approach. What is it that has you so occupied?”

“Genevieve.”

“Ah. That explains much,” Graeme said.

Graeme settled onto the rock next to Bowen and stared over the water as Bowen was doing.

“And what have you decided about the lass?”

Bowen closed his eyes, not wanting to voice his thoughts. His heart was filled with a piercing ache and he was overwhelmed with grief for what he must do.

“I have to let her go,” he said, his voice breaking halfway through the words.

Graeme turned his stare on his brother.

“She’ll never be happy unless she’s been reunited with her family,” Bowen said. “ ’Tis not fair to her or them for them to go on thinking she died. I heard the longing in her voice when she spoke of them. They love her and she loves them. She was very dear to them. Their only daughter. I cannot be selfish and take her away with me and keep her only unto myself. She’s been denied choices for far too long. How can I be another force in her life that does the same? I want her. God, I want her. I love her. But I want her to be happy more than I want myself to be happy. And I cannot bear the thought that there would always be sorrow in her eyes were I to take her to Montgomery Keep and perpetuate this myth that she is no one. Not important.”

Graeme slid his hand over Bowen’s shoulder. “I think you’re doing the right thing. The lass has had nothing but heartache, and ’tis true she’s been denied a choice in everything. I can only imagine the grief that her clan has endured thinking she is lost to them. You do a good thing reuniting her with her kin.”

“She may hate me for it,” Bowen said bleakly. “I speak of denying her choices, and yet I seek to go against her wishes by informing her family that she lives. She will not thank me for it.”

“Sometimes the right thing is the most painful choice,” Graeme said quietly.

“Aye, I know it.”

Graeme’s eyes were full of sympathy, and regret filled his face. “I am sorry for your grief, Bowen. I can’t hope to understand the choices before you. I would be devastated if I ever had to face giving up my Eveline.”

“I would bring more trouble upon my clan were the McInnises to discover that their daughter was alive and under my protection. But, most important, I don’t think Genevieve will ever truly be happy if all is not resolved with her family. And I want her happiness more than I want my own.”

Graeme put his hand on Bowen’s shoulder again but remained silent as the two brothers gazed into the distance.

There was naught to say when Bowen was dying on the inside.

“Bowen!”

Bowen tensed at the distant call. He and Graeme both turned to see Teague approaching, a grim frown on his face.

“A group of McHugh women were doing their damnedest to stone Genevieve,” Teague said without preamble.

Bowen shot to his feet. “What?”

“I came upon her fleeing back to the keep with a mob of women on her heels hurling rocks at her. I took the lass back to her chamber and tended her wounds.”

“How badly is she hurt?” Bowen demanded.

“I think she’s just shaken up. She had one cut to her face, and she likely has bruises where the other rocks landed, but she was just frightened and upset. I told her to remain above stairs and not to come out.”

Bowen swore violently, his fingers curling into tight fists. “ ’Tis no way for her to live!”