hellos. Ian rode through the wooden gate, pleased to find it open, indicating no current problems with
neighboring clans.
Goat needed no encouragement to veer left toward the stables. He greeted Ross, the stablemaster
and waved away his offer to care for the horse. He was just leaving the stable when he spotted Ewan
striding across the yard, a big grin on his buddy s face.
Ian! Ewan greeted. He opened his arms and wrapped him in a pounding hug. Welcome back.
What the hell took ye so long? Ye re father s near ready to send a search party.
Rolling his eyes, Ian extricated himself from his friend s boisterous embrace. He knew the man
exaggerated, but that didn t mean his extended absence hadn t at least been a cause for some concern.
Just getting through the dragon pass and back to Brock had taken over half a fortnight.
Roark and his kind were well hidden.
So, was there really a dragon? Ewan continued. Did ye slay it? Did ye bring back its head?
Forcing a snort, Ian shook his head. Nay, he denied. No dragon. Just a really big, hungry bear
comin out of its winter sleep.
Ewan looked disappointed, then confused. He looked around. Then where s the head? I woulda
thought ye d brought it back.
With the other guy, Ian replied, rolling a shoulder in a shrug.
The other guy? Ewan suddenly grinned. What happened? Ye couldn t kill a bear all by yerself?
It was a bloody big bear, Ian growled, feigning irritation.
Ewan guffawed, throwing his head back.
Shaking his head at his friend, Ian stepped around him. I ll talk to ye later, he grumbled, more for
affect than because he was upset. Gotta check in with Goth.
He left a still laughing Ewan and headed into the great hall, figuring he d find his father either there or
in his study. When Ian didn t spot his father s broad-shouldered form, he headed through the large
room, past the tables, greeting men and women as he moved.
Ian thought he should feel relief to be home, instead, he still felt restless. Mayhap his mind was still
coming to grips with everything that had happened? Mayhap he needed a hot bath and a long soak to
give his mind time to untangle? Pushing the odd sensation away, he headed down the hall toward the
back stairs.
He d almost made it when an angry feminine voice stopped him in his tracks. Ian MacGree, how dare
ye head off like that without at least letting me know.
Ian turned to find Agatha scowling at him. If he hadn t already been turned off by women, this
probably would have done it. How did men deal with upset females?
Do ye have any idea how I felt to find out my intended had left without a word? And to learn it from
Isa, of all people? Agatha continued, mentioning one of the women who helped with planting.
From the snide way Agatha said Isa s name, it became painfully clear that they didn t seem to get
along. Although, Ian had no idea why. Isa was a nice woman, pleasant to talk to and easy on the eyes.
Figuring that wasn t something he should ever say to his bride-to-be, Ian instead commented,
Agatha, if the chieftain orders me to do something, I do it. Even marry you against my will. Except,
that idea was becoming less and less appealing. He d never seen Agatha so angry.
I get that, Ian, she snapped, one hand going to her hip as she waved the other under his nose. I even
get that sometimes ye can t tell me the nature of yer errands. But how dare ye take time to tell Isa and
not me. Ye made me a laughing stock! she shrieked. Telling yer little whore instead of yer
intended!
It took everything in Ian not to flinch at the woman s high-pitched yelling. If a man had taken that
tone with him, Ian would have laid him out with one punch. Glancing over Agatha s shoulder, he
realized several curious onlookers peeked their heads into the passage to watch them.
Growling under his breath, Ian grabbed Agatha s arm and propelled her into the nearest side room. No
way was he doing this with an audience. She squealed and screamed, telling him to let go, but he
ignored her, only tightening his hold on her arm as she struggled.
Ian thrust her through the door and released her. Agatha stumbled forward several steps before
righting herself. She spun around, her lips curved into a sneer. How dare ye touch me, she snarled.
Ye forget yer place, woman, Ian snapped back.
Agatha lifted a hand, and Ian intercepted the slap by catching her wrist.
His eyes narrowed, Ian curled his lip in disgust as he stared down at her. No way in hell would he bed
this woman. Isa is not my lover, nor do I need to explain myself to ye, ever, he said, his tone low in
warning. Do I make myself clear?
Her eyes narrowed, Agatha gave one slow nod.
Ian released her wrist and took a step back. He glanced around quickly, seeing the barrels of mead
lining the walls. Grabbing a flagon because getting rip-roaring drunk sounded like a fantastic idea
right about then Ian left the storeroom and stalked to his chambers. More than one servant scurried
out of his path, just due to what he realized must have been a thunderous expression on his face.
Popping the cork with his teeth, Ian spit it out then lifted the skin to his lips and gulped down several
hefty swallows. The liquor burned so good all the way down. A hard knock on the door interrupted his
second healthy swig.
Glaring at the door, Ian roared, What?
His brother, Ryder, entered, took one look at him and the flagon in his nearly white-knuckled grip and
grinned. So ye did have a run in with Agatha? Not home an hour and already the pair of ye are the
talk of the hall.
Ian sneered, but his brother kept talking. Ye know, if ye both just used that energy for fucking instead
of yelling at each other, ye both would be so much happier, Ryder said, crossing his arms over his
face and grinning hugely. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]