The Ghost by Greyson, Maeve (best motivational books to read .txt) 📕

with him. “You dare draw upon an English officer?” he screeched. The man sounded more like a shrieking hag than a warrior.

Gunfire sounded, halting the clash of steel.

“Ye will leave this keep at once,” Alexander roared, his smoking pistol still pointed upward as he held the other trained on Barricourt. “The English are always welcome here, but not when they come bearing insults.”

Graham stepped to Alexander’s side, both his pistols aimed at the man, as well. “The MacCoinnich guards will be happy to see ye out, Commander.” A band of brawny, armed warriors stepped out of every archway, stairwell, and shadow in the room.

“Do you have any idea what you risk with such behavior?” Barricourt sneered. He pointed the tip of his sword toward Brenna. “Over a whoring, little bitch?”

“He is defending our own,” Lady Mercy said, rising from her seat and moving out from behind the head table with more grace than any sighted person. “While I have not been to court in quite some time, I still have connections there, Lord Barricourt. Do not make the mistake of thinking I will hesitate to use them.”

The commander stilled, glowering at Lady Mercy, as if trying to decide if she spoke the truth. “Lady Mercy. Daughter of the late Duke of Edsbury and favorite of King William—who is also dead, I might add.”

“And well-acquainted with Her Highness, Queen Anne.” Mercy held herself with a calmness Brenna found amazing.

“Ye are dismissed, m’lord,” Alexander said. “Leave of yer own accord, or ye can be escorted. The choice is yers.”

“This is not over.” Barricourt shoved his sword back into its sheath, then spit at Brenna. “All over a whore—and a sorry one at that. She was barely an amusement.” Whirling about, he stormed out the double doors, his men following close behind.

“Have them followed,” Alexander told Graham. “Make sure they leave our land.”

“Done.” Graham sent forth the guard, pausing halfway across the room. He turned and gave Alexander an arch of a brow that spoke volumes. “Ye know there are a great many ravines betwixt here and Fort William. A body could be lost. Forever.”

“Not yet,” Alexander said with a coldness that promised he wouldn’t hesitate to make that decision if needed.

With a tip of his head, Graham departed.

More ashamed and humiliated than she had been on the day that Barricourt and his men had so brutally used her, Brenna bowed her head and covered her face with both hands. “I am so verra sorry to have brought such misfortune to Clan MacCoinnich. Ye have all been so welcoming. So verra kind.” She closed her eyes tighter, cursing the day she was born. “I promise to leave immediately, but please allow Keigan to stay. None of this is his fault.”

Magnus took hold of her shoulders. “Brenna…”

“Nay.” She twisted away, covering her eyes so she wouldn’t have to see how much he despised her. “I have brought shame and danger to Clan MacCoinnich. I am sorry, and I shall leave at once.”

“Everyone out!” Alexander bellowed. “Leave them their privacy or deal with me.”

Chairs and benches scraped the floor. Hurried footsteps shuffled loudly, then faded away. Brenna kept her head bowed and her face in her hands, waiting for whatever punishment Magnus chose. She would not weep or beg for mercy. This betrayal was hers. She should have told him all. His anger was well warranted.

“Brenna.” Magnus gently squeezed her arms. “Look at me, lass. Please.”

Lass. Not his usual Gaelic endearment of my love or my heart, but lass. After a deep breath, Brenna dropped her hands and lifted her head. The compassion and sorrow in his eyes touched her like warmth from the sun. It nearly shattered what little control she had left. She didn’t know which was worse, his pity or his hatred.

“Please protect Keigan as much as ye can,” she said. “I know how folk can be.” She looked back down, unable to face him any longer. “Dinna do it for me, but for him. I fear he’ll meet with cruelty because of what was revealed here today.”

“I will not.” Magnus swept her up into his arms, cradling her like a babe. After three long strides to the nearest table, he sat her down on top of it and planted his hands on either side of her. Leaning close, he forced her to meet his gaze. “I willna do so because ye’ll nay be leaving Tor Ruadh unless Keigan and I go with ye.” His jaw flexed then tightened, making her lean away. “Or did ye lie to me when just moments ago, ye said we would wed immediately?”

“Ye would wed a woman revealed as a common harlot in front of yer clan?” Trembling, she tried to scoot away and escape him, but to no avail.

He took hold of her and forced her back in front of him. “A bloody Sassenach insulted ye. Ye think I give a damn about what that man said?” He thumped his chest and bared his teeth. “Or that I care what anyone but my heart thinks?”

“But it is all true,” she choked out, turning her face aside. Shameful tears escaped and, once started, refused to stop. “The weaver nor the stables would pay me any longer for my work. They feared Wicklow, vile tyrant that he was. All in the village feared him.” She closed her eyes, still able to hear her precious wee one crying clear as day. “Dear Keigan was so verra hungry,” she whispered. With an angry swipe at the tears, she stiffened her spine, determined to finish her confession. “Wicklow said I would work for him or no one. Then he threatened his wife and all in the village if they gave me any food for my precious tot. Even made sure I couldna steal any scraps.” Rage burned through her, as hot and fierce as it had that day. “The cruel bastard hated that I had held him off as long as I had. Him and every customer he wanted to