Highland Heart by Jacqueline Seewald

Author:Jacqueline Seewald [Seewald, Jacqueline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Highland Romance
Publisher: Luminosity Publishing LLP
Published: 2020-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Madeleine wondered with trepidation why Gareth had sent for her. She knew very well that he was angry with her for not helping him escape. He had returned to his soldiers and was again in control of the situation. She could only expect to draw his ire. Still, being loyal to her family had been the right thing to do.

She had known that he would be furious but was not prepared for the look he turned on her when she entered the old castle. She had to walk up the narrow twisting stone staircase, watching the broken gray steps warily as she moved. Upstairs in what had once been the master chamber, Madeleine stood under Gareth’s scrutiny. His eyes narrowed to glittering slits, his angular jaw tightened, the cleft chin jutted forward. He looked so tall and powerful looming over her, as if he could devour her whole. She began to tremble in spite of her resolve to keep calm.

“You look nervous, love. Are you sorry to see me alive and well?” His tone was coldly controlled but accusing, almost menacing.

“Andrew would not have hurt you. He only meant to keep you until he was well enough to make good his escape.”

“So you told me before. But you betrayed me to him and I cannot forgive or forget that.”

“That isn’t true. I never betrayed you.”

“You are a cunning little liar. I’ve been such a damn fool to believe anything you had to say. No, don’t speak! I don’t wish to hear you lie again. You are no better than any cheap slut who sells her wares upon the streets. Nay, they are better, in point of fact, for at least they give no pretense of being anything but what they truly are. A man cannot be misled by such as they.”

Her eyes narrowed. Surely, he could not believe such things about her. “How dare you imply that I am . . .” she faltered. However, she knew that she must say the words outright. “You think me a whore?”

He did not reply; the answer was written on his face.

She turned furiously and moved hurriedly toward the door of the chamber, but he was there first.

“I will not let you insult me further.”

“You’ll not leave here so quickly.” His hands tightened on her arms, biting into her flesh.

“I need not stay here and be insulted,” she countered. She raised her chin with dignity. “Besides, your soldiers would not let me change into a proper garment. I am here much against my will dressed in nothing but my robe and nightrail. I wish to leave.”

He pulled her against the hard length of his body, but then just as quickly released her. She realized that his heart was beating as wildly as her own, but he was striving to control his emotions. For just an instant, she thought that he wanted to make love to her again, that the rage he had turned toward her was actually anger with himself for what he conceived as personal weakness.

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