Free Claimed By A Charmer (The Pith Trilogy) by Kara Griffin

“You
must bring her here right now. Please, Douglas.”
    “I cannot. You don’t understand,”
he conjured.
    “Why won’t you do this for me? I
hardly ask anything of ye. Just this wee boon, surely you won’t let me down.” Candace
cried harder.
    He pulled her into his arms. Putting
it like that, what could he do? “Nay, I won’t let ye down, lass. If it means
that much to—”
    “Aye, it means much to me. When
will you leave? This day, on the morrow?”
    She clasped her hands around him in
delight. His sister’s enthusiasm touched him, and he smiled.
    “I’ll leave on the morrow. Mayhap
Brendan will go with me. It shouldn’t take too long.”
    “Just bring her back quickly, no
matter what happens. Bring her back. You promise?”
    He nodded and before he could speak
a word, Candace pulled from his embrace and ran inside the hall. He sensed that
she tried to flee before he changed his mind. He wondered about her strange
comment. No matter what happens? A yawn overtook him, and he wondered why he
felt so tired. He strode leisurely inside, feeling dumbfounded at his easy acceptance.
She gained his promise with very little effort. Cosh, his sister knew how to
sway him. It only took five minutes—surely he should have made her plead for no
less than ten minutes.
    “What did she want?” Colin asked.
    Douglas slouched in his seat,
leaning his head on the high back of the chair. “She wants me to bring her
friend, Isabel, here for her wedding.”
    “Is that all? Why was she so
concerned?”
    “I know why,” Brendan said.
    Douglas glared at him, and closed
his eyes. His eyes were so heavy, he didn’t like the feeling. He felt sluggish,
or mayhap drugged.
    “Well, brother, why don’t you
enlighten us?” Colin asked Brendan.
    “Because Douglas is going to have a
hard time.” Brendan scowled.
    “Who’s this lass that he’s going to
fetch?”
    Douglas opened his eyes and saw their
curious looks. Hell, even Brendan grinned, if you could call it a grin. He
didn’t like their banter, and would not stand for being the butt of their
jests.
    “Brendan, cease, faigh muin. I’m
not going to have a hard time. I’ll retrieve her for Candace’s wedding, and
you’re coming with me.” He told him in a tone that commanded, though he’d
intended to ask.
    “Aye, I wouldn’t miss this. Of
course I’ll go,” Brendan said. “Gil, you’ll come along.”
    “Aye, Brendan. I’ll protect his
rear; you can protect his front.” Gil laughed.
    “His front will need protecting on
this mission,” Brendan replied crisply.
    Colin laughed at their jests.
    Douglas felt chaffed by their
banter, but he didn’t show any reaction. He recalled the lass’ conduct, and
didn’t look forward to seeing her again. What a falsehood. Mayhap he did look
forward to meeting her again. He didn’t know his own mind, but he promised
Candace that he would retrieve her, and he’d not rescind it now.
    He grew somber, remaining quiet the
rest of the night. Barely able to keep his eyes open, he considered retiring
for the night. His friends drank deeply from their cups, and jested about the
training earlier that day. He watched his sister motion to Rachel Dunmore—the
Dunmore’s own cousin, who from accounts was captured by Cedric on a Dunmore
raid.
    Douglas observed them, and he
sensed that Candace must not have liked what Rachel said, because she frowned
intensely. He sat too far away, and couldn’t hear their words, but he wasn’t
one to intervene on his sister’s matters unless she asked. As he dismissed them
from his thoughts, he looked across the room.
    “We’re leaving at first light. I’m
going to bed.” He could hear his friend’s laughter as he walked toward his
chamber.
    Douglas lay in bed contemplating
the mission. Why couldn’t he have said nay? But he couldn’t deny his sister’s
request. Now, he had to fetch the hellion and bring her to his home. He wanted
to leave and get it over with. He visualized the kiss