Page 67 of Kidnapped by a Rogue
She should have known it was precisely because the pendant was the possession she valued most that William had to destroy it. When he slammed the wide end of the axe down with all his strength, bits of the stone shot across the floor.
After he stormed out, she crawled across the floor, weeping as she gathered the broken bits. Lizzie found her passed out on the floor with the broken pieces still clenched in her hand.
Margaret came slowly back to the present.
“I’m sorry he destroyed something so precious to ye,” Finn said. “I hope one day you’ll trust me enough to tell me the whole story.”
Finn closed her hand over the broken pieces of stone in her palm and enfolded her hand in his. She did not even know she was weeping until he wiped the tears from her face. Despite the time and distance from that day in Edinburgh, she was still as broken as her stone.
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Finn’s thoughts were on Margaret as he went to the stables to collectCeòfor the journey to Helmsdale. Her former husband deserved a slow and painful death, and Finn would like to be the one to give it to him. How could he smash her pendant when he knew it would hurt her so much? As for Margaret’s family, they had been cruel to wed such a kind and gentle lass to a brute like that.
“I may not be good enough for her,” he confided toCeòas he saddled him, “but I’m better than the wealthy and titled arse she was married to.”
After being at the mercy of such a volatile man, it was no wonder she built a cocoon around herself, hiding her feelings behind a mask of calm. Finn wished he could prove to her that she could trust him, that he would never hurt her.
He ledCeòout of the stable behind one of the lads who was bringing another horse out. When he saw who the lad was bringing it to, he groaned. Curstag was waiting in the courtyard, slapping her gloves against her palm.
“Finn!” Curstag called, and waved to him.
Finn gave her a nod as he passed her and continued leadingCeòtoward the tower steps where he was to meet Margaret and Ella.
“Finn!” Curstag called again. When he turned, she gave him a pointed look, evidently expecting him to help her mount.
“Let the lad do it,” he said.
Curstag, however, was a lass accustomed to getting her way. She took the reins from the lad and brought her horse to Finn.
“I thought we could ride to Helmsdale together,” she said. “For such old friends, we’ve hardly had a chance to talk since ye arrived.”
“Don’t play games, Curstag. Ye know damned well that would make Bearach jealous.” God only knew why his brother was so sensitive when she had chosen him over Finn. “Go ride with your husband.”
“Bearach isn’t going with us to Helmsdale.” Curstag tilted her head and looked up at him from under her eyelashes. “He’s gone to visit your Sinclair cousins at Girnigoe Castle.”
“I hope he enjoys his visit with them more than I did,” Finn said.
“I fear I’ll be desperately lonely while he’s gone,” she said as she ran her fingertips down his chest. She was teasing him as she used to, but he was no longer interested.
“If you’re lonely, get yourself a dog,” he said, and removed her hand.
“I know you’re still angry with me after all these years, but I want to make it up to you.” She rose on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear, “Tonight I’ll give ye what ye always wanted.”
“You’re married.” Then he remembered to add, “And so am I.”
“If we’re careful, they won’t find out,” she said with a light laugh, and laid her hand on his chest again.
He suddenly realized they were standing in the courtyard where anyone could see them and get the wrong idea. By the saints, Margaret might see them. He grabbed Curstag by the wrist and pulled her behind the stables where they would be out of view from the tower.
“Listen to me well,” he said, pressing her against the wall by her shoulders. “I would never do that to Maggie—or to my brother.”
“Come, Finn, ye know ye want me,” she said, cocking her head. “Ye always have.”
“I used to. I don’t anymore.” He meant it. For years, he had envied his brother and imagined Curstag’s face on other women he bedded. But no more.
“I don’t believe ye,” Curstag said.
“I was blind to your wicked heart for years, but now I see ye for who ye are,” he said. “Maggie is the only woman I want.”
