by Maya Banks
Mentioning her attacker had the effect of being doused with cold water. She immediately withdrew, shame crowding her heart.
She was acting the wanton mere hours after another man had tried to rape her. What was wrong with her?
The McHugh clan didn’t need prompting to cry her whore, and here she was in the laird’s chamber. It was an open invitation for others to revile her more.
“Nay, don’t look like that, lass,” Bowen said in a quiet tone.
He sat up and reached for her, sliding his hand up her arm in a caress that made her shiver.
“You’ll hold your head high, for you bear not the blame for what has happened. The man who attacked you received what he deserved, just as anyone else will should they dare to touch you.”
“I am not worth such vehemence,” she said, refusing to meet his gaze.
He captured her chin and forced her to look at him. His eyes were angry, and his lips were drawn into a tight line.
“You’re worth it to me.”
She knew not what to say. She stared back at him in befuddlement.
Leaning forward, he pressed a kiss to her forehead and rose from the bed.
“I’ll see you to Taliesan’s chamber and have her attend you. Perhaps ’tis best if you remain above stairs until I’ve made my case clear to the rest of the clan. You’ll not remain a prisoner of your own chamber, though. You are free to come and go as you please, and ’tis something you should be able to do without fear of attack. I’ll ensure that it is so.”
“I know not why you do this for me,” she said, her heart squeezing in her chest.
He extended his hand to help her from the bed.
“Because ’tis something that should have been done for you long ago.”
CHAPTER 27
Bowen walked Genevieve to Taliesan’s chamber door, but when she started to go within he grasped her hand and gently tugged her back.
Surprise flared in her eyes as he pulled her to him and lowered his head to sweep her mouth in another kiss.
It was like being set fire to. He felt more alive than he’d ever felt. God’s bones, but he wanted nothing more than to sequester them both in a locked chamber where he could hold her and kiss her for the rest of the day.
Hellfire. Forever was more to his liking.
She gave the sweetest sigh, and it gave him even more pleasure that he was able to please her. ’Twas obvious the lass had never known a gentle hand, nor had she ever experienced the joys of loving.
It had angered and saddened him that she’d said his kiss was her first. Oh, he knew he hadn’t been the first man ever to kiss her, but ’twas obvious her meaning. He’d been the only man ever to softly woo her with tender, passionate kisses.
He dragged himself reluctantly away and then bade her to go inside and close the chamber door. As he stood there, staring at the closed door, he was struck by the thought that he could well be in love with her.
It was such a stunning discovery that he could no more than stand rigid as he was pelted with all the ramifications.
In love.
The more he played with the idea, the more he realized that it was truth. He well knew how a man looked and acted when he was in love. Graeme had certainly fallen hard for his wife, and now Bowen had done the same for a lass who was trouble. A lot of trouble.
He was torn between marching into Taliesan’s chamber and telling Genevieve he loved her, and damn the consequences, and going below stairs to address the issue of her safety within the clan walls. And then he needed to configure a plan to remove her from here as soon as possible.
Only there were many problems with that.
One, he had to tread very carefully with Genevieve. She would not take his declaration well, and it might drive her away and any progress he’d made in gaining her trust would be gone.
The lass had been damaged by all that had been done to her. It wasn’t something that was going to disappear from her memory overnight. She would require careful wooing and an extraordinary amount of patience on his part.
Two, he didn’t want to be parted from her, so the idea of removing her from McHugh Keep with all haste left him with a dead sensation in his chest. He was needed here, and there was no timeline for how long. His brother needed his aid, and he would provide it, no matter what. But neither did he want Genevieve exposed to such venom on a daily basis.
’Twas a perplexing conundrum, to be sure. He wasn’t at all sure he liked this matter of love.
Testy and irritable, he turned from Genevieve’s door and put distance between it and him before he lost what measure of control he was maintaining and burst into her chamber like a lad declaring his love for the first woman he fell for.
By the time he reached the hall, he was gripped by agitation and he scowled at everyone who crossed his path.
’Twas enough to set to rumor that he was intent on killing someone again. His brother and Brodie hurried to him in the courtyard, their concern apparent as they approached.
“What ails you?” Teague asked warily. “I hear you’re on another rampage.”
Brodie stood silent, watching the interchange between the brothers as if he was loath to intervene in any way.
Bowen arched an eyebrow. “What makes you say such?”
“We were told you had plans to kill another McHugh. I wanted to see what sin had been committed this time.”
Irritation bit sharply at Bowen. “You say that as if there was no sin committed before.”
Teague’s eyes narrowed and he suddenly became very serious. No longer were his words flippant or drawn out for effect.
“The lass’s being attacked hardly constitutes no transgression.” His brow was etched with anger and his eyes blazed. “ ’Twas not my intention to discount what the lass went through. ’Tis enough. She should suffer no more. No matter my feelings about her or the sins she has committed. No one deserves such treatment.”
Bowen crossed his arms over his chest and nodded his satisfaction. “ ’Tis glad I am to hear you say so.”
Teague scowled. “How could you think otherwise? I believe you’ve handed me great insult. When have I ever condoned the mistreatment of those weaker, especially a mere slip of a lass?”
“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.”
“ ’Tis as I suspected,” Bowen said.
“Curse it all, Bowen. Why could you not fall in love with a less complicated lass? Do you have any idea the problems she brings to the table? Assuming you can ever win Graeme over and he accepts the lass, the Armstrongs certainly won’t be so forgiving, and when they find out all there is to find out we’ll be lucky if we don’t go to war with them after all.”
“Then perhaps ’tis best they never find out,” Bowen said quietly. “ ’Tis a private matter, and one that should not be openly discussed. Graeme will have to know the whole of it, aye. But he is the only one. He is my laird. Not the Armstrongs. They have no say in Genevieve’s fate.”
“I suppose you are right,” Teague said wearily. “Still, ’tis not an easy path you’ve chosen.”
“Aye, I know it. But ’tis also true that nothing easy is ever worth it. And Genevieve will be worth every effort I make on her behalf.”
CHAPTER 28
Genevieve was exceedingly shy with Bowen after the night she slept in his arms. He found it endearing, and his heart melted a little more every time she ducked her head or smiled when she thought he wasn’t looking.
He was working on the lass. He had no intention of suffering in the hell that was unrequited love. It was an interesting enough dilemma, given that many a woman had reportedly suffered such with him. It was also true that he’d never given it much consideration. Now he knew how those women must have felt when they reportedly pined for his attentions, because he found himself playing the love-sick fool vying for a crumb of attention or approval from Genevieve. Anything to make her smile. Make her happy. He’d give her the damn moon if that was what it took.
He also realized—not that he hadn’t already known it—but it was driven home with more force that she’d never enjoyed a man’s attentions. Had someone pay court to her. She’d never been wooed. Her marriage had been arranged, and on her way to her husband-to-be Ian had taken her and turned her life into a living hell.
Bowen was determined to give her all she’d never had, and so he set about courting her.
Teague and Brodie despaired of him. Teague routinely made Bowen the butt of his jests, and both men threatened to throw him into the river if he continued on his present course.
Bowen took it all in stride. Never before would he have tolerated the teasing and taunting, but he found he cared not. The way Genevieve’s face lit up when he complimented her made every taunt well worth it.
He did, however, keep the verse that he’d memorized a strict secret. He felt uncomfortable enough whispering the words to Genevieve under the softness of moonlight, but when she looked at him, her eyes shining like twin suns, all discomfort disappeared.
In that moment he wouldn’t have cared if the whole of the keep heard his recitation. The look on Genevieve’s face was an image he’d long carry with him and treasure.
They walked slowly under the glow of the moon, the rays bouncing off the surface of the gurgling river. He laced his fingers through hers, enjoying something as simple as holding her hand.
His past associations with women shamed him. He didn’t discuss such with Genevieve. They both bore shame, but for different reasons. Genevieve’s had been forced upon her. But Bowen’s had been solely of his own choosing.
He’d embraced his liaisons with women. He’d enjoyed loving. And what man didn’t like a good tup? He and Teague used to tease Graeme for his monkish ways, but Bowen thought now that Graeme had the right of it for being more discerning in his bed partners.
Graeme had come to Eveline without having bedded every lass in the vicinity. Bowen certainly couldn’t say the same, and just thinking on it made him wince.
What would Genevieve think if she knew of the casual way in which he’d divested lasses of their skirts? Would her opinion of him change? How could it not?
It wasn’t that he didn’t have great love for women. Indeed, it was the opposite. But now he wondered at the lack of respect he’d shown them. It pained him to be lumped in the same category as Ian McHugh. While he’d certainly never forced himself on any woman, could he say he hadn’t made them his whore?
He couldn’t even think on it any longer, because he did not like the potential results.
Genevieve had fundamentally changed him. Maybe from the moment he’d laid eyes on her, but certainly the moment he’d heard her story and knew of her pain and her bravery.
He wanted to be a better man for her. He wanted to be someone
worthy of her.
He wanted her to love him.
“What are you thinking on?” she asked softly.
He blinked in surprise and lowered his gaze to hers. Many days had passed since her attack and the night she’d spent in his arms, and each day he’d carefully wooed her, gaining her trust. And it hadn’t been easy, because he’d vowed not to make her the brunt of clan gossip, and so every effort had been made in secret and it was taking a toll on them both.
What should be something wondrous was stressful, as they sought to hide from the prying eyes of others. But still, he looked forward to every stolen moment. Every opportunity to steal away and spend time in Genevieve’s presence.
Never had he displayed so much patience and forethought with another woman. He was determined to win Genevieve’s heart, no matter how long it took.
“You looked so deep in thought. I wondered what caused you to be so pensive.”
Bowen smiled. “I was only thinking that ’tis a beautiful night made only more beautiful by the woman who walks beside me.”
’Twas obvious she blushed, even in the glow cast by the moon. It was in her mannerisms, the way her gaze skittered sideways and she ducked her head in that shy way.
But he also saw her smile. It was a sight that never failed to tighten his chest. It had never been brought home to him the fact that she never smiled until finally she did. And now he sought to make her do so at every opportunity, because it was a sight he savored.
“You’ve a silver tongue, Bowen Montgomery,” she said, her teeth flashing with her smile. “A silver-tongued devil, you are.”
“I’d prefer to use my tongue for other purposes,” he murmured.
She paused, turning to face him as they topped the rise overlooking the river.
“And what purpose would that be?” she asked innocently.
The little imp was teasing him. It delighted him that she’d be so free with him. She’d always been so reserved and cautious. Careful never to make any overtures that could possibly be misconstrued.