The Renegade's Heart by Claire Delacroix

Author:Claire Delacroix
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: kinfairlie, historical romance, elphine queen, finvarra, faeries, scotland, paranormal romance, highlander, faerie queen, scottish romance, fantasy romance, quest, medieval romance, claire delacroix, highlander romance, ravensmuir, fae
Publisher: Claire Delacroix

* * *

Stewart could have been the voice of Murdoch’s own conscience.

“It is wicked, I tell you, and it is wrong.” The older man spoke with heat, beginning his tirade as soon as they left Kinfairlie’s walls behind them. “To deceive a man for one’s own purposes is one matter and one that perhaps might be explained by a quest for the greater good. But to abuse the trust of a maiden is base beyond belief.”

Murdoch protested, more because he felt he should than that he disagreed. “You do not know that I have done as much.”

“You took too great a time in the chapel. She was there, was she not?”

Murdoch remained silent, unable to lie to the older man.

“Indeed, she was,” Stewart concluded. “Did you confess to me that you had a tryst? Nay! Of course not, for I should have ensured you did not keep it!”

“I have taken nothing from her, Stewart...”

Stewart was not interested in whatever Murdoch might say. “Gavin tells me that she was in the village and that you seized her when you rode away. He says that the lady was enchanted by you and your daring, and worse, that you did not return for all the day.”

Murdoch would have liked to have argued in favor of his own intentions, but he was not certain what would be possible for him to do. He kept silent with an effort.

Stewart did not such thing. “I have seen the glint in your eyes when you look at her, lad, and I am not so old that I do not know the import of it.” The older man glowered at Murdoch. “’Twas you who said the maiden’s curiosity would be useful, but you go too far in this.”

“It is not that simple...”

“Aye, it is simple enough! Were you more familiar with her on this morn?”

“It is not chivalrous for men to speak of a lady this way.”

Stewart scoffed. “It is not chivalrous to take advantage of a lady’s trust! How dare you lead her to believe you a man of honor, when you mean only to use her for your own ends?”

“I do not!”

“Will you leave a babe in her belly when you abandon her? Will you see her shamed?”

“No!”

“And what do you think will occur then? That you shall recover Duncan’s relic and that the Laird of Kinfairlie will welcome you as a suitor for his sister? A man he has hunted as a criminal and a thief? A man he has pledged to bring to justice? Where have you been these past years that your wits have become so addled as this?”

And there was the crux of it. “I will not speak of it.”

“I will! Your father would never have tolerated such behavior in his household and I regret to see that his own son – his pride and joy, no less – has become such a knave as this. What possibly could have happened to you to change you thus?”

“More than you might imagine, Stewart.” Murdoch spoke grimly.

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