Highlander Most Wanted (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #2)(82)

“This is your chamber. ’Tis bare at the moment, but we can remedy that. No one has occupied it in quite some time. It’s used for honored guests, but we have few of those. I can help you soften it and make it not so harsh. ’Tis not fit for a woman as it stands. It could use some flowers and feminine objects.”

“You’re very kind,” Genevieve said softly.

Rorie plopped onto the bed, bouncing as she landed. “So what’s your story, Genevieve? I’m alive with curiosity. I’ve heard nothing about you. No word was sent ahead, and Bowen has never brought home a woman. He has no need to. They follow him wherever he goes.”

Genevieve’s eyes widened. “He’s that popular with the lasses?”

Rorie snorted. “Have you looked at him? There’s not a fairer face in all the Highlands. He’s prettier than most women. They either want him or are jealous of him. He can’t walk for tripping over a lass batting her eyes at him.”

Genevieve automatically raised her hand to cover the scar on her cheek. Why then was he bothering with her? ’Twas obvious he could have any lass he wanted, and there were many far more comely than she. And not as damaged and sullied.

Rorie looked chagrined. “I’m sorry, Genevieve. ’Tis a well-known fact that my mouth becomes carried away and that I prattle on about things I should not. My brothers despair of me, but they love me, and so I escape their censure. Most of the time,” she added hastily.

Genevieve couldn’t help but smile. The lass was charming in her own way, and Genevieve couldn’t help liking her.

There was a knock on the door, and Rorie hastened to open it.

“Oh, ’tis your trunk!” Rorie exclaimed.

Bowen appeared with two men bearing her trunk. They brought it inside, and Genevieve directed them to put it at the end of her bed.

Bowen looked as though he wanted to say something, but Rorie immediately began shooing him from the chamber.

“Not now, Bowen. Genevieve and I are conversing. I’ll bring her down for the evening meal when we are done.”

Bowen suppressed a grin and looked helplessly at Genevieve. “You see what we all have to suffer.”

Genevieve smiled, comforted by the feeling of family around her. ’Twas just as it had been with her own clan. Though she hadn’t had siblings, there had been countless cousins and clansmen who bickered good-naturedly. And Sybil, her closest friend since childhood.

For a moment, Genevieve was saddened. It had been agreed that Sybil would come to Genevieve once Genevieve was married, and that Genevieve’s husband would arrange a marriage for her through his clan so the two lasses would not be separated.

It had been months since Genevieve had thought on Sybil. She’d put her friend from her mind because it was too painful to think on her.

But the antics within the Montgomery clan had made her remember.

“You look sad,” Rorie said bluntly as she closed the door.

Genevieve shook off the melancholy surrounding her and forced a smile. “I was only thinking of my own clan and how you and Bowen remind me of my kin and of my childhood friend Sybil. I miss them.”

Rorie pulled Genevieve down onto the bed and leveled a determined stare at her. “Tell me, Genevieve. How does a McInnis lass find herself among McHughs, and why does your clan think you dead?”

Genevieve sighed. Apparently Rorie had been told of her circumstances, or at least a cursory telling. It was to be expected. The lass would have been curious.

There was no good reason Genevieve should tell her anything at all. But there was something about Rorie that inspired Genevieve to unburden herself. The lass might be younger, but her mind was sharp and her heart was good. And perhaps it was the promise of having a confidante that enticed Genevieve the most. She wanted to fit in here. Wanted … friendship.

And so she found herself telling Rorie the entire tale, even the part she played in Eveline’s abduction, because she didn’t want Rorie finding out later and feeling betrayed or enraged that Genevieve had been less than honest. And it all would come out eventually. There was no way around it.

Rorie’s mouth gaped open, and her expressions were almost comical as she reacted to Genevieve’s story. By the time Genevieve brought things to the present, Rorie had grasped Genevieve’s hands and held them tightly.

“ ’Tis a terrible, heart-breaking tale,” Rorie burst out. There were tears in her eyes, and Genevieve was shocked at the lass’s reaction.

“I’m glad you killed them,” Rorie said fiercely. “ ’Tis no less than they deserved. They deserved to suffer far more. They should have been gutted and left for the buzzards to feed on their carcasses.”

Genevieve laughed, some of the horrible tension leaving her chest. Her laughter ended in a low sob, and Rorie pulled her into her arms, hugging her until Genevieve thought she might smother.

It felt so good. Both the unburdening and the offer of comfort from the younger lass. Genevieve could feel some of the protective barriers she’d held for so long begin to unravel in the warmth of the Montgomery family.

“I am glad you are here,” Rorie said when she finally pulled away. “You’ll be happy with us, Genevieve.”

Genevieve smiled wanly. “I only hope Eveline can be as understanding as you.”

“Eveline has the biggest heart of any lass I know. You’ll love her, and she’ll love you. I don’t think she has it within her to hate anyone, and if she doesn’t hate my clan after all they put her through, I don’t see her harboring ill will against you either.”