Free Mist Warrior by Kathryn Loch

father would strike him and be done with it, something wholly distasteful that lasted for an eternity…cleaning chamber pots, or garder-robe chutes, the list was endless and only grew worse.
    Gavin took a deep breath, trying to clear his thoughts. “ Courcy, you are wrong on one count. ”
    “ Wrong? ”
    “ With my father’s death, Catriona is now my ward and any discipline she may require falls to me. She may be your betrothed , but she is not your wife yet. Until you exchange your vows before God and the Church , she is my responsibility, not yours. ”
    ="+0" fGaramond">Courcy again bowed, fury darkening his face. Gavin suddenly feared what would happen to Catriona when she married this man. Dear God, what has his father been thinking? Courcy would either kill her with his discipline or destroy her spirit. Gavin could not bear to witness either.
    “ I will not be challenged or accosted in my own home. I may not be Catriona’s husband yet , but you are all here by my leave. ”
    “ Then mayhap we should find another place. ”
    “ Another place? ” Courcy barked in amusement. “ Where? ”
    An idea pushed forward and Gavin glanced at Duguald. The Scotsman’s eyes sparked and his lips twitched, trying to smile. Gavin knew Duguald was thinking the same thing.
    “ Thistlewood, ” Gavin finally said.
    “ Thistlewood? ”
    “ ’Tis Branan’s land, part of his mother’s direct dowry, ” Duguald said. “ As her heir it falls solely to him without challenge , unlike the Wardenship , which is merely a title to govern royal lands. Thistlewood is his alone. ”
    Courcy laughed. “ He wouldn’t have even known about the place if it had not been for me. ”
    “ You wouldn't have known about it if my father had not told you. Either way, does that change the truth of its title? ”
    Courcy scowled.
    “ Then we shall reside with Branan at Thistlewood , until the time Catriona becomes your wife. On/spour wifly then will you have claim to her. ”
    “ I don’t believe this! You need me to — ”
    “ So do you now plan to renege on your pact with Branan? ” Gavin asked. “ That would be interesting since it is a key point in the betrothal agreement. ” He almost wished Courcy would default. Without financing, Branan’s cause was lost , but Gavin knew Branan would rather see Catriona safe.
    Courcy snapped a curse, dragging his hand through his hair. “ All right, ” he said through clenched teeth. “ But the date has been set, I expect my bride to be delivered to her wedding on May Day. ” He paused, his gaze deadly. “ And I expect her to be the virginal bride promised to me. ”
    Hatred shot through Gavin. This was all because Courcy doubted Catriona’s honor? Then Gavin remembered how Courcy watched Branan and Catriona closely. Did he believe Branan would usurp his marriage rights?
    “ Of course, ” Gavin said through clenched teeth, forcing down his anger. He looked at Duguald. “ Let us see how my sister and Branan fare and prepare them to leave. ”
    Duguald inclined his head and gestured for Gavin to lead the way.
    ****
    Catriona managed to grab two cloaks for her and Branan before they left the keep. Branan once again wore his leather trews and cross-quartered boots with his snug fitting inar. But he did not wear the sleeves, the ties dangled around his bare shoulders. The powerful muscles in his arms flexed as he walked with his fists clenched.
    Catriona guided him into the gardens. Snow piled thick on the ground but the sky remained clear and the sun bright, casting a beautiful wintry glow. The air was crisp and fresh. She heard Branan inhale deeply as she wiped the snow from a bench and they sat.
    < His body still shook violently and his breathing remained harsh. Catriona knew only when these signs faded would Branan be truly free of the rage that gripped him. She feared the consequences Branan might suffer for his actions. But in that instant she knew Richard would strike her, seeing Branan