The Laird's Future Bride by Hazel Gower

Callam for lusting after her. By the time the evening meal was ready, he was relaxed and ready for his wife and calm enough to face his brother and not beat him. Usually Duncan shared everything with Callam, his responsibilities being Laird, as well as his women. They had the same leman, had been trained by the same people, and they both were close with the king. But Holly was different. He wasn’t sharing Holly. She was his, and his alone.
    When neither Holly nor his brother Callam showed for the evening meal, Duncan’s anger built again. Was his da right? Would Holly’s beauty cause more problems than he was willing to deal with to be with her?
    Duncan ate his meal and glared at the door, waiting for them to come in. When neither arrived after the meal, Duncan started walking toward the village, determined to find them. When he did, he would wring his brother’s neck.
    As he headed down to the village, it started to rain. Duncan came upon them walking up to the castle. Holly was laughing and spinning in the rain, singing a song off-key.
    “Rain, rain, go away, come again another night. Rain, rain, go away and come back when I’m not walking back to the castle.”
    “I’m sorry, lass, ye are a beauty, but ye canna sing.”
    Holly tried to hit Callam, but he dodged her. She squealed when Callam came after her. Duncan stepped out of the shadows and grabbed Holly. She screamed and fought him until he whispered, “It’s me, angel.” Holly relaxed in his hold, and Duncan glared at his brother. “Do ye wanna tell me why ye missed the evening meal?”
    Holly turned in his arms. “I made a new friend. Emily, and Arthur, they are lovely. Their children are so adorable.”
    The moonlight shone on Holly as she beamed up at him, and his anger evaporated. He leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. “I’m glad ye made a friend. Emily isn’t much older than ye.”
    Duncan nodded to his brother, who was watching Holly with a yearning he’d never seen on Callam’s face before. “Thank ye for taking her around the village while I talked to da.”
    Callam didn’t look away from Holly. “It was me pleasure. She needed a friend after how ye treated her after what da said.”
    Holly stiffened against him, and she moved out of his hold. “Come on, you both, I’m starting to get cold.”
    Duncan could tell Holly didn’t want to argue, so he turned and followed her up to the keep. The rest of the walk back to the keep was quiet. They slipped inside and Holly still didn’t say anything.
    Once in their chambers, Holly took her wet clothes off and placed them before the fire. She then put on the shirt she’d worn the first night, and got into bed.
    “Ye are nay going to say anything? Ye are just going to get into bed?”
    “Yes. I’m tired, Duncan, and I don’t know what you want me to say. At night and in the mornings, I have this passionate man who always leaves me wanting more and eager for his company, but today I saw a side I didn’t like. I’m going to sleep. Maybe I’ll feel better in the morning.” With that, she rolled over and pulled the covers tightly to her.
    Growling in frustration at the situation, he got undressed, got into bed and gathered Holly to him. At first she remained stiff until he kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry, angel.” He held Holly and drifted off listening to her heartbeat.

Chapter Seven

     
    Holly stayed away from Duncan’s father. Today was already a sad day for her, and she just wanted to be left alone to mourn. She spent most of her day in the garden. Holly knew her mother would have loved the MacLeod gardens.
    Magan found her in the veggie patch. “I have been looking for ye. I thought I’d show ye the stables.”
    Holly stood and brushed the dirt from her dress. “I’m happy here. You don’t have to take time away from your husband.”
    “I’m fine now, lass. I got all me pent-up energy out.”
    Holly could feel her cheeks heat. These highlanders liked to make her