Highland Moonlight by Teresa J Reasor Read Free Book Online Page A

left a hollow ache beneath his
    ribs.
    “After the bairn is born, Bearach MacDonald may still agree to take her,
    if she will agree to a handfast,” Collin suggested.
    The suggestion inspired sharp feelings of rage and helplessness he
    could not suppress. “She will never go to Bearach MacDonald,” he said, his
    tone clipped. “She will never agree to leave the bairn. And I will never allow
    my child to be fostered to a MacDonald.”
    He stepped closer to Collin, his gaze fastening on the older man’s
    face. “You sought to pit Bearach MacDonald and me against one another at
    Lochlan, and I would not follow suit. The MacDonalds and Campbells are
    sworn enemies, for good reason. If you mean to cause further trouble
    between our clans, Collin, I warn you against it.”
    Collin’s gaze shifted away from Alexander. “‘Twas because of your
    actions Mary was willing to give up the bairn in the place of the contract, not
    mine,” Collin reiterated. “What makes you believe she will change her mind
    now?”
    “Mary told me herself, she was called home only three times in twelve
    years. She is bitter about being fostered from such an early age. I do not
    believe she will do the same to her own bairn.”
    “We but followed custom. We did nothing wrong.” Collin’s features
    grew taut with anger.
    “She does not feel the same, Collin. That will have a bearing on what
    she will do.”
    “Regardless of what she does, you will regret what you have done,
    Alexander.” His blue eyes were cold. “The council will see to that.” He
    stalked from the room having, for once, had the last word.
    Alexander searched his father’s features for some clue to his feelings,
    but he turned away to face the fire and gave him no opportunity.
    The silence stretched between them. He grew tense as his father
    shifted and folded his hands behind him.
    “There’s nothing that brings harm to a woman any more than having
    her will taken from her in such a way, Alexander. I have seen the grief it
    caused the women of our clan who have been taken during raids. I have
    seen the damage wrought before the Bruce, when Prima Notcha was
    allowed by William Long Stockings, and the English lords took our women
    on their wedding nights. There are some who never recover from such a
    thing.”
    He drew a deep breath and turned more fully to face Alexander. “A
    lass’s body is the only thing that is truly hers to give. It tears her dignity and
    pride asunder when that choice is taken from her. It breaks something else
    inside her, we men can not understand.”
    His father believed him capable of rape. Alexander’s mouth went dry
    and it became difficult for him to draw a full breath “I did not force Mary,
    Father, she came to me willingly. Collin is hoping she will testify agin me
    that I did, but she will not do so.”
    John turned to him a frown drawing his thick brows together as he
    searched his son’s face. “You had better hope that is so, my son.”
    Silence fell between them.
    “You have seen how Mary is with her father.”
    John’s brows rose. “She would have defied him?”
    “Mayhap.”
    “But you were not certes.”
    “Nay.” He raked his fingers through his hair and drew a deep breath. “I
    was not certes of anything with her. But I was of Collin. I have no proof, but
    what I heard myself. I know Collin meant to break the betrothal contract by
    giving her to MacDonald. ‘Twas he who was to bed her that night. He was
    there in the hall outside her chamber when I entered it.”
    “So you took her so she would have no choice but to accept you.” It
    was a statement not a question.
    “With the betrothal broken, there would have been nothing to keep
    Collin and the MacDonalds from attacking us. I could not put my men at risk,
    nor could I stand by and see Mary given to Bearach to be used and
    mistreated.”
    “Your own actions seem to have accomplished no better, Alexander,”
    John said, his amber gaze intent.
    The truth of