Free The Trouble with Highlanders by Mary Wine Page B

seen her body more than once, but she still hesitated.
    â€œUnless ye’re too shy.”
    She frowned. “Ye needn’t take such a tone with me, Norris Sutherland. Ye admitted ye were a blackguard to tempt me into yer bed the first time, so do nae be insinuating I’m loose and accustomed to having men in me bedchamber. Ye just enter anytime ye please with no respect for me privacy.”
    She turned her head around to look at the mirror, while her temper gave her the incentive to forget about her modesty. She ordered herself to release the bedding, pausing when she uncovered bruises along her shoulders. Her mouth went dry, but she let the fabric go, and it slid lower, baring her back. She heard the sound of the riding crop and flinched as she uncovered the first point of impact. The bruise was black and brown, with red still showing in the center.
    â€œPerhaps I like privacy as much as ye do, and like ye better in private, Daphne.”
    She wanted to take exception, wanted to be cross with him, but his voice was deep and husky, betraying just how much he meant what he said. He stepped up and reached around her shoulders to tug the bedding completely from her grasp.
    â€œI find I do nae care for the way ye leash yer true nature below stairs.”
    His words were a deep whisper next to her ear, but she heard the heat in them.
    â€œYe must be as mad as they say, for no man likes a waspish female.”
    He chuckled and placed a kiss against her temple. “Perhaps I’m hiding behind yer chamber door because me men will nae disturb me when they believe I’m intent on bedding ye.”
    She turned her attention back to him, surprised by his suggestion. He was the picture of strength and authority. The idea that he felt the need to hide away from anything was almost impossible for her to grasp, and yet it seemed to touch something deep inside her. Some sense of compassion, because she realized he had as few choices as she did when it came to what life he would lead.
    â€œHave ye and me brother already opened the whisky?”
    He laughed softly. “Nae, but if ye want some for the pain, I will.”
    She looked back over her shoulder and sucked in a harsh breath. Every strike was clearly visible, huge black splotches marking where the riding crop had connected with her back. The mass of purple and black bruising explained the ache she felt, but she suddenly laughed.
    â€œNow what could possibly please ye about seeing such a thing?”
    Daphne ducked under his arm, his greater height making it a simple enough thing. A chemise lay over the arm of the chair, and she pulled it over her head and pushed her arms into it before facing Norris once more. The garment fluttered back down to cover her as she moved across the room.
    â€œYe’re too delicate for such treatment, Daphne.”
    â€œNo, I am nae.” She lifted her chin. “I have suffered Morrell Comyn quite well.”
    Norris glared at her, something in his green eyes sending a tingle of warning down her back. “Perhaps yer head is nae so sound. No one would laugh over such a beating.”
    â€œYe would,” she accused softly. “And ye would laugh the next morning, enjoying the fact that ye did not swear to do anyone’s bidding, no matter what pain they inflicted on ye.”
    For a moment, amusement flickered in his eyes. The corners of his lips twitched up, and she felt satisfaction sweep through her. But it was only a fleeting moment before his expression hardened.
    â€œYe would nae have lasted forever, lass. The flesh has its limits, and ye would have ended up wed to that bastard if I had nae found ye.” There was a cold fury edging his voice.
    â€œIt still would nae have mattered, for he wanted only the dowry. He’d have sent me home once he realized there was no coin to be had.”
    Norris slowly shook his head. “Nae, lass. He’d have crushed yer throat and buried ye so he might