His Bonnie Bride by Hannah Howell (the beginning after the end read novel .TXT) 📕

Dislodging the woman who had served his basic needs for two years was not easy for Tavis. She had a fierce grip on him. He cared not at all for her past a surface desire and was furious that she had come without invitation. The undisguised scorn he read in Storm's lovely eyes only added to his anger, for he did not want to rape Storm but make love to her. The presence of his mistress would certainly aid Storm in fortifying herself against any persuasion he could bring to bear. It suddenly came to his attention that, despite Kate's impassioned embrace, he still held on to Storm. Kate's notice of that as well as her narrowed eyes made Tavis think Kate would solve his dilemma herself. She had ever been hot-tempered and jealous, expecting of him what he had never offered.

"Who is your guest, Tavis?" Katerine asked between clenched teeth.

"Storm Eldon, the daughter of Lord Eldon of Hagaleah, and my hostage. Storm, meet Kate MacBroth."

Neither woman did more than nod curtly to the other, and Kate turned a seductive smile upon Tavis. "She'll bring ye a handsome ransom. Let Angus take her wherever she was headed. I heard naught from ye upon your return from the raid and feared ye had come to harm."

"As ye can see I am in good health. There was no need for ye to come. I have enough to occupy me," he added softly with a meaningful look at Storm.

While Katerine seethed, Storm freed her arm from Tavis's light grip and gave him a smile that was anything but sweet. "Do not let me disrupt your routine, sir."

"My routine shall ne'er be disrupted by my plans for ye, m'lady," he drawled.

"Methinks ye have far too great an opinion of your stamina, sir." Storm marched off, ignoring the laughter her remark stirred, including that of Angus, who followed her.

Chapter Six

The smile that had slowly come to Tavis's mouth in response to Storm's parting remark was quickly erased by Katerine. She knew well what Tavis intended for the Sassanach woman, just as instinct told her that it was more for Tavis than the taking of a female captive, something that was so common it was often considered a right. For two years she had plied her charms and skill upon the heir of Caraidland, seeing her longevity as proof that she was more than just a vessel for his lust, yet the look in his eyes when he gazed at Storm Eldon was enough to destroy that idea. Katerine had no intention of losing out to a scrawny Sassanach girl with cat's eyes and orange hair.

"So ye think to have a wee tussle with the Sassanach lass, do ye? There isnae a muckle lot to tussle with," she purred as she moved to take Storm's seat at the table.

Deciding it was neither the time nor the place to discuss the matter, Tavis refilled his goblet and retook his seat, drawling quietly, " 'Tis none of your concern, Kate. Planning a long stay?"

Her hands gripped her goblet tightly until her knuckles whitened as she fought to subdue the rage she felt, a rage inspired by Tavis's indifference and the amusement of the others. " 'Tis nay the weather for me to return home. A spring storm is upon us. I barely escaped a drenching." She looked to Colin, ignoring the laughter in his eyes. "What have ye askit for a ransom, or have ye nay askit it yet?"

"Aye, a week back. 'Tis less than willing they be to give it to us. We are negotiating."

That was far from welcome news to Katerine, for it meant that the woman would be around for a while, and she scowled only to pout with false sympathy when she spotted a bruise upon Tavis's jaw. "There was a wee bit o' trouble on the raid?" she asked, lightly touching the spot.

Even Tavis laughed. "Nay." He rubbed his jaw and winced a little. "The lass and I have a wee argument. She was making a point and I was not really on my guard. The vixen," he murmured.

There was a tone to his voice that grated on Katerine. "Ye must needs show the wench who is the prisoner and who is the captor. Her arrogance is unpardonable."

"I insulted her," Tavis said curtly.

"Aye, ye did that, laddie. I ken ye made a promise. She didnae look too willing to me." Colin chuckled as he recalled the sight of his eldest son sprawled on the floor. "The lass still has her spirit." He signaled to his man Malcolm. "I am to bed. 'Tis past time I can make a night o' it." He sighed.

Tavis watched his father leave. The man continued to grow weaker, his color was bad and he ate nothing, for it was near to impossible for him to keep the food down. It was hard to watch a strong man fade away, let alone his own father. He refilled his goblet, scowling at the way Katerine cuddled up to him, her touch far too possessive.

Throughout the evening Tavis continued to drink heavily, his mind on his father's ill health as well as Storm Eldon. He was mostly oblivious to Katerine's many subtle and then not so subtle attempts to stir his ardor. His desire for her had never been very fierce, merely convenient, despite her unquestionable talent in bed. It had even occurred to him often, once past the first six months of their affair, to be rid of her, but convenience proved a hard thing to forgo. Since there was little chance of his partaking of her charms during this visit, he felt she would soon understand that their affair had come to an end.

As the liquor ran through his veins, he grew angrier at Storm as well as himself for his promise to his father. Tavis convinced himself that he would not seduce Storm, merely reveal to her how