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love with the lass, and there was naught but contentment within him at the whole idea.
Teague’s mouth dropped open and his eyes widened in shock. He continued to stare wordlessly at Bowen until finally Bowen shoved his hand through his hair in disgust.
“Hellfire, Teague. Stop gaping at me like a fish out of water.”
Teague shook his head and then blew out his breath. “Have you lost your mind?”
“ ’Tis clear I have,” Bowen bit out. “ ’Tis no fault of mine that I fell in love with the lass. Do you know how ridiculous it sounds? I fall in love with a woman made whore by another man. I fall in love with a woman whose face was ruined by a blade. I fall in love with a woman who betrayed my kin. Take your pick. ’Tis obvious I’m not in my right mind, but it does not change the fact of what is.”
“What the hell are you going to do?” Teague asked.
“I know not,” Bowen said wearily. “ ’Tis true she set Ian on Eveline.”
At Teague’s instant scowl, Bowen broke off and held up his hand.
“The lass had sound reason,” Bowen defended.
“You are out of your mind,” Teague said in disgust.
“Just listen,” Bowen snapped.
Bowen carefully explained Genevieve’s reasoning in encouraging Ian to abduct Eveline. He was reaching and he knew it, but he was determined to win favor for Genevieve in some manner.
Teague sighed when Bowen finished his explanation. “Am I supposed to applaud the lass’s ingenuity in angering the Montgomerys and Armstrongs alike so they attack the keep and she is rescued? What would have happened if Eveline had been raped or killed? Think you Graeme would look kindly on the woman responsible just because she acted in self-preservation?”
Bowen clenched his teeth even harder. “I’m asking you to consider for a moment if our sister was in Genevieve’s place. Would you condemn her then? If she consigned a woman who was not our kin to a similar fate, would you be so quick to malign her? Or is it because ’tis Eveline we discuss and not some nameless, faceless woman?”
Teague hesitated, and Bowen knew he had him. It was all he could do not to smile his satisfaction.
“ ’Tis not fair to make me imagine Rorie in Genevieve’s position. I wouldn’t care who Rorie had to condemn in order for her to escape such depravity.”
“ ’Tis as I suspected,” Bowen said.
“Curse it all, Bowen. Why could you not fall in love with a less complicated lass? Do you have any idea the problems she brings to the table? Assuming you can ever win Graeme over and he accepts the lass, the Armstrongs certainly won’t be so forgiving, and when they find out all there is to find out we’ll be lucky if we don’t go to war with them after all.”
“Then perhaps ’tis best they never find out,” Bowen said quietly. “ ’Tis a private matter, and one that should not be openly discussed. Graeme will have to know the whole of it, aye. But he is the only one. He is my laird. Not the Armstrongs. They have no say in Genevieve’s fate.”
“I suppose you are right,” Teague said wearily. “Still, ’tis not an easy path you’ve chosen.”
“Aye, I know it. But ’tis also true that nothing easy is ever worth it. And Genevieve will be worth every effort I make on her behalf.”
CHAPTER 28
Genevieve was exceedingly shy with Bowen after the night she slept in his arms. He found it endearing, and his heart melted a little more every time she ducked her head or smiled when she thought he wasn’t looking.
He was working on the lass. He had no intention of suffering in the hell that was unrequited love. It was an interesting enough dilemma, given that many a woman had reportedly suffered such with him. It was also true that he’d never given it much consideration. Now he knew how those women must have felt when they reportedly pined for his attentions, because he found himself playing the love-sick fool vying for a crumb of attention or approval from Genevieve. Anything to make her smile. Make her happy. He’d give her the damn moon if that was what it took.
He also realized—not that he hadn’t already known it—but it was driven home with more force that she’d never enjoyed a man’s attentions. Had someone pay court to her. She’d never been wooed. Her marriage had been arranged, and on her way to her husband-to-be