A Hellion at the Highland Court (The Highland Ladies #9) - Celeste Barclay Page 0,147

She slid hers into his, and King Robert laughed again.

“Bruce,” Brodie warned under his breath. Laurel’s knees shook at Brodie’s affront. Robert turned a warning glare at Brodie, but he no longer laughed.

“Thank you for coming, Lady Campbell. I’m certain it surprised you when your husband summoned you here. Before I explain why, are Lady Margaret and Lady Catherine not with you?”

“Nay, Your Majesty,” Laurel said softly.

“And why not?” The king pressed.

“They didn’t wish to come here.”

“Why not?”

Laurel blinked as the Bruce continued to push for more details. She looked up at Brodie, who nodded. She met Robert’s gaze. “They weren’t interested in coming here because they said it was boring. They believe Oliphant and MacFarlane will go to them, but they will not come here.”

“And why are you here, Lady Campbell?”

“Because my husband asked me.”

King Robert crossed his arms, a satisfied expression on his face as he stared at Liam and Andrew. Brodie had realized Robert’s motive when the king asked about Margaret and Catherine’s disposition. But he still resented Robert using Laurel for his amusement.

“My wife and I are retiring,” Brodie announced.

Laurel frowned, not understanding why she came only for them to leave. “Brodie?” His expression told her not to ask anything more. She nodded and took the arm he offered.

“Not yet, Campbell.” Robert said. Laurel felt the tension in Brodie’s arm, and it made her more anxious.

“Lady Campbell, I instructed the men to write missives to each of you to see who would come when beckoned. Oliphant and MacFarlane were certain Lady Margaret and Lady Catherine wouldn’t hesitate since they are so demure.”

Laurel nearly swallowed her tongue to keep herself from laughing.

“I take it that is not how you would describe the ladies in question,” the Bruce observed. “Oliphant was certain you would be the one to refuse. He doesn’t believe that your husband has tamed you. You should know that MacFarlane spoke on your behalf.”

Laurel looked at Andrew, and he wanted to melt into the floor. He had no idea what she would say, but he was certain he would have nothing on par to say in return. “You spoke on my behalf to inform the king and Liam that I’m now tamed?”

“Nay, Lady Campbell. I said that you and Laird Campbell love one another,” Andrew clarified. It stunned him when Laurel said nothing more.

“It would seem Campbell was up to the challenge to tame the Shrew of Stirling,” King Robert crowed. Laurel flinched, knowing the humiliation would come, but still not prepared for how it stung. “If only there had been money on the wager.”

“Wager?” Laurel whispered as she turned her face up to Brodie. His heart ached to see the pain in his wife’s eyes. She believed the worst, and he didn’t blame her for how the king made it sound.

“Don’t carp at your husband, Lady Campbell. He’s the reason there was no coin involved. He insisted we not wager on you. But it seems he won nonetheless.”

“How is watching you humiliate my wife winning?” Brodie snapped. “You made your point. You even think you took my side, but all you’ve done is hurt Laurie. Call on me when you need my army or my coin, but do not call on me as your friend.” Brodie wrapped his arm around Laurel and turned them toward the door. He didn’t stop when the king called out to him. The guards barred their way at the door. Neither of them looked back at King Robert or anyone else in the chamber. They stood together, their backs straight, and their heads held high.

“If anyone has been tamed, it’s the Lion of Lorne. Well done, Lady Campbell.” Neither Brodie nor Laurel acknowledged King Robert’s proclamation, instead walking through the doors when they opened. When they heard the doors close, Brodie swept Laurel into his arms and carried her to their chamber, where he explained the entire farce. Laurel remained quiet, nodding from time to time. It was only early afternoon, but they climbed into bed, where they found solace in one another’s arms as their bodies became one. Neither felt tamed as they moved together, their passion combustible. But Laurel no longer felt like a pauper or a hellion. She was richer for having found love with a man who’d now be known as the Lion of Lorne. Just like a phoenix, Brodie’s moniker rose from the ashes of her own.

Epilogue

“Bear?” Laurel walked to the entrance of the Balnagown lists. She shaded her eyes as she watched Brodie