Highland Barbarian Part 4

His eyes narrowed fractionally. d.a.m.n the woman. She was enjoying his confusion.

"The man I killed. Who was he?"

"Gareth's brother, Desmond."

She saw the way his lips pressed together. A little muscle began working at the side of his jaw.

"You lie, woman. Why would the younger brother be allowed to wed before the eldest?"

Especially to one as lovely as the woman standing before him. For the first time Brice allowed himself to see, really see, the woman he had captured. With that wild mane of hair falling in tangles to below her waist and that gown of gossamer snow revealing a lush young body ripe for the picking, she was stunning.

"Because Gareth knew that I would never consent to be his wife. He offered Desmond instead."

"Consent?" Brice Campbell threw back his head and laughed.

"And why would he need the consent of a mere girl? Why did he not go to your father and offer for you like a man?"

"I need the consent of no man," she said in a haughty manner that had him lifting an eyebrow in surprise.

"Now that you have killed my father, I am the MacAlpin, heir to my father's land and protector of his people."

"I killed your father?" Brice took a menacing step closer and saw the way she watched him with the wariness of a doe in the forest.

"Who accuses me of such treachery?"

"Gareth MacKenzie."

He clamped his mouth shut on the curse that rose to his lips.

"At least the lie was spoken by one who does not matter to me."

"He matters so little," she said with a look of fury, "that you invaded the sanct.i.ty of the kirk to try and kill him."

At her sarcasm Brice felt his temper rising. But just as quickly, her next words had him feeling contrite.

"And succeeded in killing an innocent lad in the bargain."

"I regret having killed Desmond MacKenzie," Brice said with sudden honesty.

For a moment Meredith found herself astounded by his admission. Could it be that the barbarian was almost human?

"But the next time I will succeed," he added in a tone of pure venom.

"From this moment Gareth MacKenzie is a dead man."

"And what of me?"

He took a step closer until they were almost touching. The hounds, taking a cue from their master, inched closer, sniffing the hem of her gown.

To her credit, Meredith did not back away, but stood facing him. He reached out a hand, intending to catch her roughly by the shoulder.

The instant his fingers encountered her skin he felt the heat. Heat that raced and pulsed until he felt as if he were on fire.

"I haven't yet decided just what I'll do with you." He stared down into her eyes and was astounded by the s.e.xual pull.

"What is your name?" His voice was a mere whisper.

"Meredith." She was surprised at how difficult it was to speak. At his touch her throat had gone dry. All the blood seemed to have rushed to her brain, leaving her feeling weak and lightheaded.

"Meredith MacAlpin."

"Meredith." An unusual name for an unusual woman. He had to remove his hand or he would be burned. He clenched his fists by his side and took a step back.

"Daughter of Alastair MacAlpin?"

At her nod he said simply,

"He was a good man. And a fair one."

His mind began working feverishly while he studied her. "Perhaps I'll use you as the bait in a trap."

He saw the way her lips pursed as she started to protest. The words died on her lips as he added,

"If Gareth MacKenzie sees your land slipping away, I'll wager that he'll do anything necessary to get you back."

"Are you suggesting that Desmond was ordered to marry me only to enlarge the MacKenzie holdings?"

He saw the sparks in those green eyes and nearly laughed aloud. So he had struck a nerve. Swallowing back the smile that threatened he murmured,

"Was there any doubt?"

He watched the way her features darkened with fury.

Aye, a nerve. G.o.d in heaven. What a temper. What a fascinating, fiery little creature.

"Oh, Gareth MacKenzie will come for me." She faced him, hands on hips, eyes blazing.

"But not to enrich his estate. He will come for me because he is a gentleman. A man of honor. And not a--barbarian."

He did laugh then, a deep, joyous sound that sent little tremors along her spine.

"A barbarian, am I?" His smile faded. In its place was a look of pure venom.

"Aye. That is what I must be if we are to believe that Gareth MacKenzie is a gentleman."

He stooped and retrieved the dagger before crossing the room to remove all the weapons from the shelf above the bed.

"Angus," he shouted.