Highlanders Collection. Ann Lethbridge

her eyes he saw the guilt. And he knew he ought to tell her words of comfort, saying something to make her feel better. But he lacked the right words. Instead, he simply shook his head. ‘Don’t let it trouble you.’

      ‘It does.’ Her voice was heavy with tears. ‘I hope things will be different … with us. But I thought you should know, it probably won’t be.’

      She looked so upset, he didn’t know what in the name of the saints she expected him to say. If he told her he didn’t care, she’d believe he was lying. Did she expect him to blame her? He was glad she hadn’t become pregnant. If she’d borne a son to another man, it would have eaten him up inside. Even now, it felt like a knife twisting in his flesh, just to think of Iver MacDonnell touching her.

      He gave a shrug, trying not to make too much of her distress. Right now, he wanted to build a shelter for them, a place where they could be alone from everyone else. But as he reached for another stone, his lack of response seemed to flare up Nairna’s anger.

      ‘Doesn’t it matter to you at all?’ she demanded. Her green eyes were fiery, her skin flushed.

      Bram set the stone aside when Nairna moved closer. She was saying something about how he ought to care more about whether or not they had a family, but he didn’t pay much heed to her words. He was watching the way her mouth moved and the way her gown was damp from her earlier exertion.

      ‘Bram.’ Nairna frowned. ‘Aren’t you listening?’

      ‘Not really.’ He led her across the clearing to a small waterfall that spilled in a rivulet down the hillside into a stream. ‘You’re worrying about something that hasn’t happened yet.’ He reached into the clear water and scooped up a handful. ‘Have a drink. You look thirsty.’

      She looked at him in disbelief. ‘I don’t understand you. I thought you’d be angry.’

      ‘Why would I be angry over something that’s in God’s hands anyway?’ He held up the water to her lips and she bent to drink from his hands. ‘If we’re meant to have a child, then we will.’ He touched his damp fingers to her face. ‘We haven’t even tried yet.’

      Her face coloured, but it seemed he’d softened her anger. She lifted a handful of water to him in return and Bram sipped from her fingers. He held her fingers a moment, before Nairna pulled them away.

      She bent down and collected a smooth stone from the stream bed. ‘Do you remember when we used to skip stones?’

      He did. They’d spent hours talking together, wagering over who could skip stones the furthest. ‘You were never any good at it,’ he said, picking up a stone of his own. ‘Or has that changed?’

      She tossed the stone into the air and caught it. ‘I don’t know if it has or not.’ When she flicked her wrist, trying to send the stone across the water, it sank to the bottom. ‘Clearly not.’

      Bram tossed his own stone and it skipped the water three times. He kept his satisfaction hidden and reached for another stone.

      ‘I suppose you’re going to boast now.’

      ‘No boasting.’ But he had another idea. Moving behind her, he pressed his second stone into her right hand. ‘I’ll teach you how.’

      His left arm curled around her waist, his right hand showing her how to move her wrist. ‘It’s all a matter of timing.’ His voice rumbled against her ear and Nairna shivered.

      ‘You have to hold it gently.’ His left hand moved up to her ribcage, caressing her. ‘Not too firm.’

      He brought his hips up against her and she sent him a suspicious look. ‘From where I’m standing, it feels rather firm to me.’

      He tightened his grasp, his arousal moving against her bottom. ‘Sometimes firm can be a good thing.’

      An unexpected smile broke over her face. ‘Show me.’

      He released her and reached for the ties at his trews. ‘If you insist.’

      ‘No,’ she laughed, clutching at his tunic. ‘Skipping stones, I meant.’

      ‘Oh. That.’ He didn’t hide his wickedness this time and took her back in his arms. Holding her hand, he demonstrated how to send the stone across the water, but when Nairna tried, she kept using too much force.

      ‘You’re not trying to stone the water, Nairna. Go softer.’

      After several practice attempts, she started to improve. The sixth try resulted in a stone that skipped twice before it sank.

      She beamed at him and he was caught by the warmth in her smile. He wanted to kiss her, to reclaim the lost years between them. But the sound of approaching horses interrupted the moment.

      ‘I suppose you’ll have to show me later,’ she said with regret, as Ross and Alex arrived. Bram tossed the stone into the water as his brother dismounted and walked towards them.

      ‘We’re hosting a feast tonight to celebrate your return home,’ Alex said.

      ‘There’s no need for that.’ Bram hated crowds of people and a feast would only pinpoint their attention on him.

      ‘Everyone is wanting a reason to celebrate. You’ve given them a good excuse to drink too much ale and forget their troubles.’

      Bram made no response and he wished he had an excuse not to go. But he could see from Nairna’s face that she wanted to.

      ‘Come as soon as you’re able,’ Alex offered and raised a hand in farewell, as he and Ross departed.

      When they’d gone, Nairna reached for her mantle. ‘I should go and help with the preparations.’

      ‘I don’t want a feast, Nairna.’ He’d rather remain here, away from his kinsmen who would ask questions he didn’t want to answer.

      ‘They’re your family,’ she said. ‘You have to attend.’

      He stared at her, shaking his head. ‘I came home without Callum. It’s nothing worth celebrating.’ If they knew the terrible price he’d paid for his freedom, a feast would be the last thing on their mind.

      ‘Go on without me,’ he urged. ‘Help Laren if that’s your wish. I’ll continue to work on our house.’

      ‘Your brother will expect you to be there,’ she said, reaching up to touch his face. ‘Don’t disappoint him.’

      Bram let his hands linger upon her, wishing Nairna weren’t so intent upon returning to the keep. But he let her go, knowing that a woman like his wife thrived around people and gatherings. She would want to be there, lending a hand with the food and the people.

      He didn’t know if he could stand to see their pitying looks. Nor could he answer, when they asked what he’d done to escape.

      All around the fortress torches flickered. Nairna stopped to wash her face and hands; to her surprise, she smelled fish and … was that roasted goose? Her stomach rumbled, and she wondered what preparations remained.

      When she entered the Hall, Alex stood at the far end, speaking to his kinsmen. A woman hung back in the shadows, her long red hair gleaming in the firelight. Beautiful and serene, the woman remained in the background, shying away from the men who argued over the food and drink at the trestle tables below.

      It had to be the Lady of Glen Arrin, Nairna guessed.

      As she walked forwards, several of the men fought over the platters of food, even coming to blows. She winced when one man went sprawling on the floor after another punched him in the jaw.

      But no one made a move to stop them. Nairna looked up at the dais, but the fighting seemed to have no effect upon the chief of Glen Arrin.

      When she reached them, Alex rose in greeting. He glanced behind her, as if searching for Bram. He introduced her to the woman, saying, ‘Nairna, this is my wife Laren.’