Saving Grace

Alex immediately nodded agreement over his father's a

Gabriel nodded. His son let go of Joha

Father MacKechnie had witnessed the scene between the child and Joha

"She bribed him," MacBain drawled out.

"Yes, I did," Joha

"Men aren't so easily won over," her husband remarked.

"I'm not interested in wi

It was a wonderful dismissal, yet completely ruined when Gabriel grabbed hold of her hand and pulled her back.

Nicholas had to come to her. He was surrounded by women, of course, because of his handsome looks and his gift for charm, and Joha

Nicholas addressed MacBain first. "I'll be sending men here in a month or two to help with the rebuilding."

MacBain shook his head. "You will not send any soldiers here. We'll kill them the minute they set foot on our land."

"You're a stubborn man, MacBain."

"How much was the fine you paid to your king?"

"What fine?" Joha

Both Nicholas and Gabriel ignored her question. Her brother gave MacBain the sum. Gabriel a

Joha

"Because we chose your husband, Joha

"If I'd agreed to marry his choice?" she prodded.

"Williams?" Nicholas asked.

She nodded.

"Then there wouldn't have been a fine, of course."

"You lied to me. You told me you didn't have enough coins to loan me to pay the tax to John so I could remain free for one more year's time."

Nicholas let out a sigh. "I did lie," he admitted. "You were putting off the inevitable, and I was concerned about your safety. Damn it all, you were held prisoner in London. I couldn't be certain you'd be safe for long, and there was also the worry John might give the Maclaurin land to someone else."

She knew he was right. She knew he loved her, too, and was thinking only about her safety. "I forgive you your deception, Nicholas."

"Go home, Baron. Don't come back. You've done your duty. Joha

Joha

"Now," her husband repeated.

"My brother…"

"He isn't your brother."

She was so outraged by his behavior, she felt like screaming. Her husband wasn't paying her any attention now. His gaze was directed on Nicholas.

"I should have known," he said. "You don't look like brother and sister, and when Joha

Nicholas wouldn't let MacBain continue. "You're very astute," he interrupted. "Joha

"Laird…"

"Leave us, Joha

His tone of voice didn't suggest she argue. She started wringing the petals off the fresh bouquet while she looked at the grim expression on each man's face.

She didn't have to make up her mind to leave or stay. Father MacKechnie had heard enough to know a fight was brewing. He took hold of Joha

The priest half-dragged, half-nudged her away from the two men. Joha

She didn't see either one of them again until the sun was fading from the sky. She let out a loud sigh of relief when she spotted her husband and her brother coming back up the hill. Streaks of orange from the sun's descent filled the sky behind them. Their silhouettes, made black by the distance and the sun's trickery, made them appear mystical. They seemed to rise out of the earth like mighty, invincible godlike warriors. They moved with such easy grace.

They were the fittest warriors she'd ever seen. The archangel Gabriel was surely smiling down at the pair. They were, after all, surely fashioned in his image.

Joha

Blood poured down from a cut high on his forehead. There was another cut seeping blood at the corner of his mouth.

She didn't know who to yell at first. She instinctively thought to run to Nicholas and give him holy hell while she measured the extent of his injuries, but by the time she'd lifted the hem of her skirts and started ru

"You've been fighting."

She shouted the accusation when she reached her husband. He didn't believe he needed to agree. It was damned obvious they'd been fighting, and he didn't particularly care for the anger in her voice.

Joha

He jerked his head back. He wasn't used to anyone fretting over him, and he didn't know how to react.

"Do stand still, m'lord," she ordered. "I'm not going to hurt you."

MacBain stood still and allowed her to fuss over him. Damn, but she pleased him, though not because she was acting concerned about him now. Nay, it was the fact that she'd come to him first.

"Have you resolved whatever was bothering you?" she asked.

"I have," MacBain answered. He sounded surly.

She looked over at her brother. "And you, Nicholas?"

"Yes." His tone was every bit as irritated as her husband's.

She turned back to her husband. "Why did you deliberately provoke Nicholas? He is my brother, you know," she added with a nod. "My parents took him in when he was just eight years old. He was there when I was born and has been called brother by me from the moment I could speak. You owe him an apology, husband."

MacBain ignored her suggestion and grabbed hold of her wrist so she would stop poking at his cut, then turned to Nicholas.

"Say your good-byes now," he ordered. "You won't see her again."

"No!" Joha

"You didn't tell me the truth about him," she whispered. "He isn't a gentle man. He's hard and cruel. I can't bear the thought of never seeing you again. I love you. You protected me when no one else would. You believed in me. Nicholas, please take me home with you. I don't wish to stay here."

"Hush, Joha