Laird Kincaid's reaction to the vision was a miracle. His voice turned into velvet when he granted the woman permission to come forward. He even smiled as he leaned down to listen to her. Saints be praised, he was human after all.
Unfortunately, the miracle wasn't long-lasting. Brenna stared at the vision, who bowed to them and took her leave. Brenna knew it was rude to stare, but she couldn't seem to stop, until she began to feel as attractive as last week's leftovers. Alec must think Connor was out of his mind to have married Brenna when he could have chosen one of these Highland beauties. They probably grew like heather around here.
"Connor, is your woman timid?"
"Perhaps," he allowed, wondering what his brother's game was.
"I would like to ask you a few questions, Lady Brenna. I expect you to be truthful in your replies. You have nothing to fear from me. Did you ask my brother to marry you?"
She really was going to kill Connor. How dare he tell Alec about her childish embarrassment. Granted, he had forewarned her, but she hadn't believed him because she was certain he would find it as embarrassing as she did.
"Yes, Laird. I did ask him to marry me."
"Do you have something more to say to me?" he asked, thinking she would surely explain why she'd done such a thing.
"I do."
"Say it then."
"I'm not timid."
He came close to smiling. There had been a definite note of defiance in her voice when she'd defended herself. Perhaps she wasn't such a mouse after all.
"I thought you were."
"You were mistaken."
He nodded.
"Did you ask Connor before you were promised to MacNare?"
"Yes."
"Alec, we've been over this," Connor interjected. "As I've explained several times now, she asked me three times. Now let it go," he added as he gently pushed his wife behind his back again.
Three times? He had to mention all the details, didn't he? She suddenly found herself wondering how timid Alec would think she was if he watched her throttle her husband.
"I decide when I've heard enough."
"She belongs to me now," Connor replied
"She could still be given to MacNare. Don't push me again, brother. You won't like the consequences."
"Our wedding was blessed. Brenna, stop pushing me."
"Anything can be undone," said Alec.
"You won't go against our church."
"No, I won't," Alec conceded. "There is another way I could give her to MacNare."
"She could even now be carrying my child. Damn it, wife, will you stop trying to provoke me?"
"She can still be free of you."
"How?"
"I'll kill you."
Connor was about to scoff at his brother's threat when his wife got his attention. She was suddenly standing in front of him.
"You will not kill him," she shouted at Alec.
Her anger caught both men by surprise.
"For God's sake, Brenna," Connor muttered as he moved her behind his back again. "Stay out of this."
"Let her speak, Connor."
She was already standing in front of her husband by the time Alec finished giving his command.
"Why can't I kill him?"
"He's your brother."
"Give me a good reason."
She couldn't think of one. "You have to make the best of it."
Alec leaned back against the table, folded his arms across his chest, and stared at her. "The best of what?"
"Connor. I understand why you want to kill him. Most everyone who meets him eventually feels that way. Still, he's your brother, and if you'll only think about his virtues, you'll surely let him live."
"Name his virtues?"
"I just knew you were going to say that."
She realized she'd blurted out her thought as soon as the words were out of her mouth, and she hurried on before Connor took offense. "He has hundreds of virtues."
"Such as?"
"He's loyal."
"And?"
She threaded her fingers through her hair in agitation while she concentrated on trying to come up with another one. "His men seem to like him."
"Do you?"
"This has gone far enough, Alec. Brenna, if you continue to defend me, my brother will have me tortured before he kills me."
"I'm doing the best I can."
Alec abruptly ended the inquisition by leaving the hall. It was apparent Connor had gotten his manners from his older brother.
"What the hell just came over you, Brenna?"
"You came over me," she cried out. "You've turned me into a raving simpleton. I want to go home now."
"We can't leave until Alec comes back."
"He won't kill you, will he?"
"No, he won't kill me. I didn't realize you cared."
The laughter in his voice set her off. "I don't care."
"Then why did you try to defend me?"
He would have to turn logical on her. "If anyone kills you, it's going to be me, and I swear to God that if you try to shove me behind you again, I will. Do you have any?"
"Any what?"
"Virtues."
"I'm pleasant enough."
"I was told not to lie."
"I let you voice your opinion."
"That isn't a virtue."
He finally took mercy on her. "It's over now. I told you he wouldn't hurt you."
"It wasn't sufficient warning," she snapped. "He's coming back," she added in a whisper.
Alec wasn't alone. The vision followed her laird into the hall and waited by his side when he ordered Brenna to come to him.
Connor had to nudge Brenna to get her started. She walked over to the laird, bowed her head, and waited for him to scare the hell out of her again.
"Welcome to the family, Lady Brenna."
Chapter 8
Jamie insisted they stay for supper so she could have a nice long visit with Brenna. Connor insisted they leave. Alec wasn't about to let his wife be disappointed, however. He ended the discussion by turning the invitation into a command.
No one bothered to ask Brenna how she felt about it. She was hungry, of course-she always was-but she wasn't about to eat anything at all in front of relatives she wanted to impress. She might do something horrid like spill her drink or eat too much once she got started, and God only knew what they would think of her then.
She'd moved close to Connor's side during the long-winded debate, but didn't realize she'd taken hold of his hand until he had to help her let go of him so he could follow his brother outside.
When he leaned down toward her, she assumed he wanted to kiss her before he took his leave. Her father had often done that when he left his wife's side, and Brenna was so appreciative that Connor was finally going to be thoughtful, she decided to beat him to the task.
He didn't expect it. Before he even had a glimmer of her intentions, her mouth touched his for a second or two, and she was finished.
She looked damned pleased with herself.
He looked thunderstruck.
He didn't make an issue of her behavior, and while he found it puzzling that she didn't seem to understand what was appropriate and what wasn't, he had to admit it didn't bother him all that much.
"Now will you let go of my hand?"
She did as he requested and clasped her hands behind her back.
Alec had already reached the top of the steps and was staring at the tapestry hanging over the mantle. The look on his face wasn't at all pleasant. Thankfully, his irritation seemed to be directed toward his wife.
"Think I wouldn't notice, Jamie?" He sounded furious.
Jamie didn't look any worse for wear, though. She frowned at her husband and called out, "Think I wouldn't notice my beloved William hanging in the stables?"