His Rebel Bride (Brothers in Arms Book 3) by Shayla Black, Shelley Bradley Read Free Book Online Page A

his bed. But again, if wedding the imp would further his cause here, mayhap he could bring himself to do it and get a babe on her soon.
    Kieran turned his gaze to the other blond girl. Her smile was too bright, inciting his curiosity.
    “Fiona?”
    Kieran could swear he saw her flinch when he called her name. But that fixed yet tense smile remained in place.
    “My lord,” she murmured, not quite looking at him.
    “Come here.”
    He wasn’t sure what possessed him to issue the command, but he knew his instincts were right when she complied, hands shaking so hard he wondered if she was ill.
    “My lord,” she said again when she stopped before him. This time her voice shook like her hands as it clawed its way up her throat. No doubt he terrified her.
    Mayhap he should not have beaten her brother so senseless.
    But it had felt too good.
    Kieran regarded Fiona. “I don’t bite.” Then he smiled, hoping she would respond in kind. “Unless you ask me.”
    Fiona blanched instead. Kieran frowned and waved her away. She retreated, face relaxing with relief, hands pressed into a white-knuckled clasp.
    Sighing, he gazed over the bunch once more as Jana rose to face him. Flynn moaned in the background.
    With a glance down, Kieran found his hose and boots a bloody, muddy mess, his tunic torn, his dignity challenged, and his knuckles sore from punching Flynn.
    And he had yet to even enter the castle.
    Such ill beginnings did not bode well for any stay in Ireland.
    Kieran cursed. He must get on with wedding and bedding a wife as soon as possible. Only then could he leave. Only then would he know pleasure in life again.
    “Beginning tomorrow,” he began, regarding the four sisters, “I will spend one day with each of you, even those widowed and promised.”
    Maeve objected, “But—”
    “You are unwed at the moment, and that is all I require,” he interrupted, then went on, “At the end of those four days, I will inform you and your brother, as well as the king, which of you I will take as my bride. Until then, I want a bath, a meal, and a soft bed.”
    Maeve opened her mouth again. “But—”
    “And no arguing, no threatening, no frightened nor curious females.” He gave each of them a hard stare. “None at all.”
     

CHAPTER THREE
    The following morn dawned gray and rainy. Though Kieran’s young squire, Colm, and a few of his trusted men had arrived during the night, with the weather as it was today, they could not venture out of doors. Such idleness chafed him. Kieran wanted to be outside these thick stone walls, training the castle’s army, assessing the lands, meeting its people, finding the root of rebellion. Remaining trapped with the four shrewish sisters irritated him beyond measure.
    Then further unsettling news reached him upon first wakening: Flynn had left Langmore during the night and had not returned. He had no doubt the man could find the rebellion and join them, should he put his mind to such a task.
    But he would bother with Flynn when the man returned. Now he had a bride to choose, despite the fact he would rather take a long trip to purgatory if it meant he might avoid taking a wife.
    After breaking his fast, Kieran toured the small keep. It had been built more for defense than comfort. Its walls were thick and its luxuries—and bedchambers—were few. Still, it was a sturdy keep, and only that would matter if the Irish rebels attacked.
    Knowing he could no longer put off the inevitable, Kieran returned to the great hall and reluctantly summoned Jana to his side. Since the pregnant woman had spent a good portion of the night insisting she would have the babe within hours, Kieran figured he ought not to waste any time in speaking with her, lest she actually birth the mite soon.
    The dark-headed sister appeared in the great hall a few minutes after the appointed time. After clearing the room of all others, he sat beside her. Her fatigued face drew a moment’s pity for some unknown reason, and he