Highlander Most Wanted Page 0,91
his hand on Bowen’s shoulder again but remained silent as the two brothers gazed into the distance.
There was naught to say when Bowen was dying on the inside.
“Bowen!”
Bowen tensed at the distant call. He and Graeme both turned to see Teague approaching, a grim frown on his face.
“A group of McHugh women were doing their damnedest to stone Genevieve,” Teague said without preamble.
Bowen shot to his feet. “What?”
“I came upon her fleeing back to the keep with a mob of women on her heels hurling rocks at her. I took the lass back to her chamber and tended her wounds.”
“How badly is she hurt?” Bowen demanded.
“I think she’s just shaken up. She had one cut to her face, and she likely has bruises where the other rocks landed, but she was just frightened and upset. I told her to remain above stairs and not to come out.”
Bowen swore violently, his fingers curling into tight fists. “ ’Tis no way for her to live!”
He raked one of his hands through his hair and turned away, fury pumping through his veins.
“I cannot allow it to continue, Graeme. They’ve made the lass’s life hell. They won’t stop in their attempt to make her unwelcome here.”
“I understand,” Graeme said in a voice quiet with sympathy.
Bowen tried to collect his thoughts when his only thought was to go to her as quickly as possible. He turned to his brothers—both of them—his expression grim and determined.
“I cannot stay here with her. Even if I send word to her family. I cannot allow her to remain here another day. They hate her. ’Tis no way for Genevieve to live, and she cannot remain a prisoner in her chamber.”
He glanced up at Teague and then looked between him and Graeme.
“Will you stay, Teague, and carry out Graeme’s wishes as to the fate of the clan and the lands? I must return to Montgomery Keep and bear Genevieve with me so that she will be safe.”
Teague looked surprised and glanced at Graeme to gauge his opinion.
“I’m agreeable if you are,” Graeme said. “ ’Tis a lot to ask, but no more than I asked of Bowen. You have a mess here. ’Tis no doubt on that matter. It’s going to require a strong hand and much patience. What say you, Teague? Are you up to the task?”
Teague’s expression was solemn, but he nodded. “I’ll not tolerate the ridiculousness that Bowen has. ’Tis time someone took a much firmer hand with the lot of them.”
Graeme’s eyebrows rose. “I hardly call killing three of them having a light hand. Some might say he’s been overly intolerant.”
“They need to have the wits frightened from them,” Teague muttered. “Their women are nothing more than shrewish harpies intent on making everyone around them miserable, and their men are cowardly weaklings.”
Graeme turned to Bowen. “Perhaps ’tis best if you send word to Genevieve’s family and direct them to Montgomery Keep. Tell them all, but allow them to meet her at our keep. Their anger will be high if they’re forced to come to the clan responsible for all the harm done to their daughter. And, with the McHughs so hostile toward Genevieve, ’tis likely the McInnises will come ready to go to war. I wouldn’t blame them if they wanted to wipe the earth clean of the McHughs’ existence. If they ever did to a daughter of mine what they’ve done to Genevieve, I would not rest until I’d shed every drop of their blood.”
“Aye, ’tis the best course. I would remove her from this place immediately,” Bowen said. “If you’ll transcribe my words to the McInnis laird, I’ll send a messenger before we depart for Montgomery Keep.”
Graeme nodded. “Of course. I’ll write the message as you dictate it. I’ll accompany you back to our keep. I’ve seen enough. It turns my stomach to remain here any longer.”
“If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go to Genevieve to see if she is all right and also to tell her of our departure,” Bowen said. “I’ll dictate the letter to her kin, and we’ll depart at dawn tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 36
Genevieve stood by the fire, warming her still shaking, chilled hands. It wasn’t hard for her to imagine harboring such intense hatred for another. She despised Ian and Patrick McHugh with all her heart. But it baffled her that the McHugh clan held such animosity for her over something that was clearly not her doing.
Were it not for the reckless, selfish acts of Ian McHugh, she would even now be