Tempted by the Highland Warrior

Author:Willingham, Michelle [Willingham, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Scotland & Scots, Romance - Historical, General, Romance, Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9781459233720
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-07-01T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Tangled dreams warred within Callum’s mind. He was standing atop a stone tower, watching as his brother Alex fought to save his daughter’s life. Lord Harkirk had taken the young girl hostage, baiting them in an attempt to slaughter both Alex and Bram.

The bow felt awkward in his hands, though he’d never ceased practising. From this distance, he couldn’t strike Harkirk without the danger of harming the child.

His brothers fought below, while he held his arrow steady, waiting for an opportunity. In the eyes of Harkirk, he saw a man who revelled in torture and death.

Then he saw Lady Harkirk and the pain upon her face. She had been trapped in her marriage, just as he’d been chained and at her husband’s mercy. But she had been the one to save him, convincing Harkirk to accept the bribe and release him.

The brave courage in her face reminded him of Marguerite. Without hesitation, Callum released the arrow, watching it strike down the man who had been responsible for so much suffering. At last, Harkirk was dead.

The memory shifted again and they rolled over Harkirk’s body. But instead of the baron’s face, he saw the frozen expression of Lord Penrith.

Callum awakened from the dream, shaken by what he’d seen. He’d killed Harkirk, months ago, just as he’d sworn to do. But instead of setting him free from all the nightmares, the death had plagued him for an unknown reason.

And then, to imagine killing Penrith… It made him wonder what sort of man he was becoming. It had enraged him to see Marguerite walking with the man, resting her hand upon his arm. The pair of them made a striking couple, both of them wealthy and attractive. The earl had looked upon her with the eyes of a man who appreciated what he saw.

Callum was forced to watch them together. He didn’t know if he could remain here, not knowing whether or not Marguerite would find a way to escape the marriage. Violence and unrest simmered within him, and he might provoke a fight if he saw them together.

He had to find a way to release the anger building inside him, before he did something he regretted.

* * *

Marguerite found Callum waiting for her outside the stable, when she went out riding with her father the next morning.

His face was shielded, but in his expression, she saw a rigid exhaustion, as if he’d barely slept at all. Upon his back his bow and quiver rested, as if he were prepared for any threat. He held the reins of both horses, leading them forward until he stood a short distance away.

The Duc noticed the weapons and strode over to take his horse. His eyes narrowed. ‘You’re not one of my men.’

‘Forgive me, Monsieur le Duc.’ The stable master approached and said, ‘He is Iagar’s cousin and needed a place to work. He’s helped in the stables this past sennight and has done well here.’

Callum met the Duc’s eyes with a steady look of his own.

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