Despondent from years of war,
Keenan returns home to find his clan has been reduced not only in numbers from
plague, but the family coffers are nearly depleted. Dedicated to restoring his
clan pride, Keenan strikes a bargain with his brothers, they will each marry,
but not for love, only for the generous dowries their future wives will bring.
Fionna has suffered the
consequences of endless wars and plague, leaving her the unlikely laird of Clan
Taylor. When her past love summons her to his keep under the threat of killing
her clansmen he captured trying to steal horses, she has no choice but to meet
him.
There she discovers a man much
changed, heartless and bitter. Especially when he demands that Fionna help him
get engaged to her best friend!
Unable to deny him, Fionna plays
along, waiting for the right moment to strike, save her clansmen, and celebrate
teaching Keenan the hardest lesson of his life.
But not everything is what it
seems, and Keenan and Fionna discover that distance and time cannot change what
their hearts truly want—each other.
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#2:
He yanked off
his boots then undressed, looking forward to bathing. In fact, he was just
about to lower into the water when Fionna didn’t bother knocking but strode
right in only to stop short. Her eyes rounded and swept over him, lingering on
his cock before she turned her head.
“Apologies,” she
said over her shoulder. “I thought ye’d be in by now.”
Had she really?
Because her clanswoman had not been gone all that long.
“’Tis nothing ye
havenae seen before,” he reminded, aroused despite himself as he lowered into
the water. Having her so close whilst he wore no clothing made him want to toss
her on the bed and sample what had been long gone from him.
“’Tis something
I didnae want to see again, though,” she muttered, flat-out lying. So said the
catch of her breath and the way she peeked when she thought he wasn’t looking.
“Have ye more
water for me?” he asked, letting her know he was submerged.
“Aye.” She
poured it in, clearly trying to remain focused on his face. “Now, sit forward
so I can remove yer bandage.”
He did as asked,
noting how her hands trembled ever-so-slightly as she removed it.
“It looks good.”
She inspected the scratch, nodding. “After ye wash it, I will apply a poultice
and rewrap it.”
“Ye mean after
ye wash it,” he said softly. “All of me, for that matter.”
Her gaze snapped
to his face and held before she seemed to gather herself. While he thought he
had her for a moment, he should have known better.
“Ye’re out of
yer bloody mind if ye think that’s happening, MacLauchlin.” She tossed him a
cloth. “See to yerself, then I will return and take care of yer wound.”
“I will see to
myself.” She would meet him halfway, though. “But ye will stay.”
“’Tis indecent.”
“I think we both
know the moment ye intercepted the lass who filled my bath ye didnae care much
about decency.” He began washing. “Ye know how people talk. Especially, I
imagine, when it comes to the Taylor chieftain seeing to the MacLauchlin
laird's personal needs. And with them undoubtedly knowing about our past.”
“Most dinnae
recall such.” Rather than turn away, she leaned against the wall, crossed her
arms over her chest, and kept her gaze on him. “’Twas a long time ago, Keenan.”
“Aye, but gossip
such as what ye and I shared stays on the tongue for generations,” he assured,
because it truly felt like a lifetime ago. Or at least it had until she walked
into his castle again. Until he walked into this holding.
“We shared nothing
worth gossiping over in the end, though.” Fionna shrugged. “I think mayhap ‘tis
just arrogance on yer part.” She shook her head. “The only curiosity ye bring
with ye now is the fact ye’re the enemy and holding my brother hostage.”
“But not wee
Dougal,” he reminded. “Something it seems yer clan is grateful enough for.” He
eyed her, curious how far he could push her. “Or so I assume based on the more
than gracious offer I received from the bonny lass who filled my bath.”
Her chin jutted
forward a wee bit. “An offer I am sure ye misinterpreted.”
“Nay.” He made a
point of thinking about it before he shook his head. “I dinnae think so.”
“Are ye saying
my clanswomen are wenches, then?” she bit back, her temper getting the best of
her far faster than he anticipated. Which told him she had intercepted the
lass, knowing full well such an offer was likely made.
“Nay, not
wenches.” He continued washing and nudged her temper along, if for no other
reason than to fan the flames of her jealousy. “For I am fairly certain she
didnae expect payment for her services.” He winked at her. “Well, anything
except a good—”
“Finish washing
so I can see to ye.” Her eyebrows slammed together. “I have other things to see
to…people to attend to.”
As she no doubt
intended, the way she said it made him tense. While it was one thing to taunt
her with what he might do with her clanswoman, it was another thing entirely to
envision Fionna doing the same with a man. Because there had been plenty of men
her age about. Then, of course, the one who rarely left her side.
Tavish.
He knew what
Dougal said, but he was just a boy, not savvy to the way men and women worked.
And Fionna had hinted last night at just how close she and Tavish really were.
“Aye?” He tried
to remain nonchalant when all he could picture was her bedding Tavish. Rage
flared that had no place in this situation. In what he must accomplish. Yet,
despite his best efforts, he could not leave it alone. “And what people will ye
be attending to, Chieftain Taylor?”
“’Tis none of
yer concern.” Based on her taunting expression, she knew what kind of effect
she was having on him. “It stopped being yer concern a long time ago.”
Had it, then?
Aye, he preached to himself.
Yet, he kept
pushing.
