He knelt at her side and gathered her gently in his arms.
“Speak to me, lass. Did he hurt you?”
She stared at him in shock, eyes wide. “Y-y-you k-killed him.”
“Aye, I did,” he said grimly. “He well deserved it.”
Her gaze shifted sideways, toward the felled warrior, her mouth round. It was all too much for her to take in.
Bowen gently directed her gaze back to him.
“Do not look upon him, Genevieve. He is not worth your regard.”
Her head snapped back and there was a fierce light in her eyes. “Nay. He is not.”
Just as quickly, she seemed to realize that she was all but naked to Bowen’s gaze. Shame filled her eyes and she made a grab for her cape, trying to shield her nudity.
Bowen carefully helped her arrange the cape to cover her as best he could, all the while holding her firmly in his embrace.
He could feel her heart beating frantically against his own chest.
But what nearly killed him was when he found her gaze again, her eyes were shiny with tears.
“Ah lass, do not cry,” he said hoarsely. “He is not worth your tears.”
She buried her face in his shoulder, and Bowen went to his feet, bearing her slight weight with him. Mindful that she was properly covered, he began the walk back to the keep.
Fury beat at him. He was livid that she’d been attacked under his watch and care. That she would continue to suffer at the hands of the McHughs filled him with rage all over again.
The lass had endured enough. When would it end?
Her muffled sobs tore at him. He wanted nothing more than to bear her safely back to his own chamber, where he could be certain no one else would hurt her.
He ignored the looks and questions of others as he made his way through the hall to the stairs. He warded off his own men, determined not to stop until Genevieve was well out of the sight of others.
When Taliesan met him at his chamber door, her face stricken with worry, he gruffly told her to be off and to ensure no one came to his chamber door.
He knew the lass was only concerned about Genevieve, but he also knew that Genevieve would want to be away from the prying eyes of others, and he would fulfill that wish above all else.
As soon as he shouldered his chamber door closed, he placed Genevieve on his bed and seated himself at her side. He touched her swollen bottom lip and thumbed away a smear of blood.
“What did he do to you?” he demanded.
The fresh wave of tears nearly slayed him. ’Twas true enough he was a disaster around female tears. They made him feel helpless to fix whatever was the matter, and God only knew he’d do anything to remedy a lass in distress.
Her lips trembled and her voice was a near-whisper, so that he had to strain to hear her. “Naught that has not been done before.”
As if it didn’t matter. As if she were resigned to her fate.
It only infuriated him all the more. He wanted to go kill the bastard all over again. His death had not been long or painful enough.
His fingers curled into tight fists as he sought to control the rage working within him.
“You’ll not suffer such again,” he said fiercely. “I vow it, Genevieve. You will never be made to give anything but what you choose to give freely.”
She turned her face away, but not before he saw a silver trail of tears leak from her eyes.
He lowered his head and pressed his lips to her temple. “I am sorry I was not there sooner.”
She turned, her eyes a wash of vibrant green, shiny with moisture and a silent plea.
“Will you …”
She bit her lip and stifled whatever it was she was going to ask. He touched a finger to her unmarred cheek and let it trail downward in a comforting caress.
“What is it you ask, lass? You have to know if ’tis within my power I’ll do it for you.”
Faint color suffused her cheeks, and she looked suddenly nervous.
“Will you hold me?” she asked softly.
Instead of answering, he leaned forward, rolling onto his side next to her. He gathered her in his arms and pulled her in tight to his chest. He stroked her hair and pressed his lips to the crown of her head.
“ ’Tis the truth I’d like nothing more.”
She burrowed further into his chest as if seeking the warmth and comfort he offered. She clung tightly to him, and he was just as content to hold her just as tightly in return.
For the longest time, he lay there with her in his arms, her head tucked underneath his chin. Her breathing slowed and she seemed to relax, the tension and fear leaving tightly coiled muscles.
He knew there was still the matter of her injuries to attend to, but he was loath to break the intimacy that had bloomed between them.
No matter what the lass may have done in the past, he could not bring himself to hold any of it against her. She had done what was available to her in an effort to free herself from the reality of rape and abuse.
He’d consign no lass in such a situation to punishment or retribution. It pained him to imagine his own sister, Rorie, in such a predicament. He’d hope that any woman in Genevieve’s position would be resourceful enough to think of a way out, just as she’d done. Even if the result had been Eveline’s being abducted and terrorized.
It was still an issue. Mayhap not for him, as his mind was already made up where the lass was concerned. But there was the problem of Graeme and the Armstrongs, neither of whom would have any love for Genevieve when it was revealed what she’d done.
But he’d not leave her to fight this battle alone. It may cause him a great deal of trouble with his kin and the newly forged alliance with the Armstrongs, but he’d not leave Genevieve to suffer alone.
She deserved a champion when one had long been denied. There was no one to stand up for the lass. Except him.
He stroked the soft tresses of her hair as tenderness overcame him. It pained him to imagine what her existence had been for the last year, but if he had any say in the matter, she’d never suffer such again. Regardless of the consequences for him.
Chapter 25
Bowen’s head came up as a loud knock sounded at his door. Genevieve stiffened and pulled away, her eyes wary.
In an effort to ease her nervousness, he put a gentle finger on her lips.
“ ’Tis naught for you to worry over,” Bowen said. “I’ll return in a moment.”
He slipped from the bed, and she hastily pulled the cover to her chin. He needed to have proper clothing fetched from her chamber so that she wouldn’t feel vulnerable in her torn dress and the cape that barely covered her nudity.
He unbarred the door and opened it a crack to see who was there. Teague and Brodie stood shoulder to shoulder, their expressions dark.
“We have a situation,” Teague said bluntly. “Upon returning from our patrol, we found a man dead. His neck was broken. It could be a precursor to an attack.”
Bowen shook his head. “I killed him.”
Brodie’s and Teague’s eyes widened.
“You did what?” Brodie demanded.
Teague started to push forward. “You’ve a lot of explaining to do, Bowen.”
Bowen warded Teague off, and he stepped back in surprise.
“Is there a reason we’re not allowed inside your chamber?” Teague asked.
Bowen stepped farther from the doorway, and then quietly shut the door behind him.
“Genevieve is within.”
Brodie’s eyebrows shot up, while Teague frowned.
“The man you found dead attacked her earlier today. It’s fortunate that I came upon them when I did or he would have raped her.”
Brodie scowled and bit out a curse.
“The whole lot of them are little better than animals,” Teague said in disgust. “Is the lass all right?”
“She was frightened, of course. I took her to my chamber to shield her from the other clansmen. ’Tis obvious she is not held in high regard here, and I would protect her from their venom as well as from any possible retaliation.”
Teague blew out his breath. “They will not like hearing that you killed one of their men. It will seem as though we seek to destroy them after executing the ones who betrayed us. Now this.”
Bowen’s lips curled into a snarl. “I care not what they like or don’t like. If they want to be treated fairly and decently, then ’tis upon them to act accordingly. I’d not tolerate such treatment of a lass, no matter who she was. ’Tis disgraceful.”
“What then would you have us tell them?” Brodie asked. “The body was brought up to the courtyard, and ’tis widely assumed that the killing was part of a staged attack. They are all convinced that the McGrieves will lay siege to us at any moment.”
Bowen had to take a breath to steady himself as anger gripped him all over again. Then he looked up at his brother and at Brodie. His voice was dangerously soft, and for those who knew him well it hinted that he was very near to losing any control he currently maintained.
“You tell them that I killed the man for his attack on Genevieve. You also tell them that the lass is under my protection, and that any slight to her is a slight to me, personally. One I will retaliate against. I will not tolerate any disrespect of her. Let the dead McHugh warrior serve as a warning to the others.”
Teague looked troubled by the decree, but Brodie nodded his agreement. He didn’t seem to be any happier than Bowen that Genevieve had been mistreated so.
Bowen stared at his brother, his lips pressed together in consternation.
“Tell me you agree with me on this, Teague.”
Teague sighed. “ ’Tis not that I don’t agree. I’d not condone the lass being abused in any manner. She’s sore in need of a champion, and ’tis obvious you’re taking the reins. But I think you should have a care in how you handle the issue with the McHugh clan.”
“Right now I wouldn’t care if the lot of them fell into a deep hole and disappeared from the earth,” Bowen spat.
“I understand your anger,” Brodie said calmly. “But we need level heads in order to prevent utter chaos. They’re angry. They’re confused. They’re afraid. They need leadership and a firm hand.”
Bowen nodded. “Aye, they do. Right now I’m too furious to face them and attempt any effort to be placating. ’Tis a sin how they’ve treated the lass, and I’ll not forget that.”
The door opened just down the hall and Taliesan peeked her head out, staring cautiously at Bowen, Brodie, and Teague. She hesitated, as if afraid to voice her questions.
Bowen sighed and motioned for her to come forward. “Come, lass. Say what it is you want to say.”
Brodie and Teague turned as Taliesan limped toward them, her gaze still worried.
Her hands were twined tightly together, and she stopped a foot away from Brodie and Teague. Brodie frowned and touched her arm to draw her closer.
“Forgive my impertinence, Laird, but I would inquire about Genevieve. I’m ever so worried. Can you tell me how she fares?” Taliesan asked anxiously.
Bowen softened at the lass’s earnest words. ’Twas obvious Genevieve had a friend in Taliesan. Perhaps the only kind face in a sea of animosity and treachery.
“She fares well,” he said quietly. “She suffered fright and a few bruises, but I intervened before more damage could be wrought.”
Taliesan looked stricken. Tears shone in her bright eyes and her lips trembled.
“What happened to her, Laird? Who did this to her?”
Brodie put a comforting hand on Taliesan’s shoulder. “ ’Tis all right, lass. Bowen has taken care of the matter.”
“The man who attacked Genevieve is dead,” Bowen said bluntly.
“Good!” she said in a fierce voice. “I hope you killed him.”
“I did.”
“And is Genevieve all right?” Taliesan asked, worry still bright in her eyes.
“ ’Tis the truth she was frightened and upset, but she is resting comfortably, and I’ve assured her that I’ll not allow it to happen again.”
“Thank you, Laird,” Taliesan said. “Genevieve needs someone like you to stand up for her. No one has ever done so.”
Bowen motioned Taliesan aside, pushing past his brother and Brodie. He drew the lass toward her own chamber and said in a low voice, “Can you bring me clothing for Genevieve? Her dress is torn and she has only her cape to cover herself.”
Taliesan nodded vigorously. “Aye, Laird. I’ll bring it at once.”
“Give me a moment to finish conversing with my brother and Brodie, and then bring the clothing down.”
“As you wish, Laird.”
She turned away and went back to her chamber. Bowen turned back toward his own, eager to be back inside with Genevieve.
“Were you successful in the hunt?” he asked.
“Aye,” Brodie said. “A dozen or more rabbits and a young stag. The meat will be tender and succulent.”
Bowen’s mouth watered at the mere thought of having fresh-cooked meat.
“Have one of my men bring food for Genevieve and myself. We’ll eat in my chamber tonight.”
