Page 49 of His Forgotten Highland Bride

“A nightmare.” She spat the defense.

“That’s what he wants everyone to believe, so when he finally chokes the breath from you, he can say he did it in his sleep. You’d do well to find another bed to sleep in.”

Brenna rolled her eyes at Ewan’s suggestion, though it was possibly the only true thing Ewan had said so far. Ronan did fear hurting his wife while in the throes of a night terror. But not on purpose. Never.

“Do you keep that blade close by your bed to protect yourself? It might come in handy,” Ewan taunted.

“What do you want, Ewan? My guards will come looking for me soon, so say your piece and go away. I know you care nothing for my neck as you tried to choke the life from me that night I marked ye.”

Ronan was impressed by her bravery. Her hands shook, which spoke of her fear of Ewan, but she stood up to him as if she had the courage of a lion. How horrible it must have been for her all this time to live like this. He would reward the loyal men who’d protected her when he couldn’t, or rather didn’t.

Ewan chuckled. “He won’t believe you.”

Ronan shook his head, for he’d already believed her even before this.

“Everyone knows you wanted me out of the way when the laird put me in charge. I’m not the only person telling him what happened.”

“My father shouldn’t have put you in charge of the clan. I should be laird.”

Ewan’s anger caused his voice to shake, and he must have slammed his hand against the stall door.

“You mean Ronan should be laird,” she corrected him, though this time even she seemed surprised.

“For now. But it never should have been you. What a disgrace.”

Ronan’s hand tightened into a fist. His muscles readied to jump from their place behind the door where Ronan could punch his uncle for his rudeness. But Brenna placed her finger to her lips again, reminding him to remain quiet.

“Geordie made the decision, not me.”

“He was weak and blinded by your manipulations. Ronan won’t be as foolish. He’ll see you for the menace you are and deal with you swiftly.”

The door moved again as if the man kicked it, startling the horse before the heavy tread of footsteps faded. Brenna took a few deep breaths before looking at him.

“I don’t wish to harm you more than I have already. I don’t know why he would lie. He never…” Ronan shook his head. Ewan had always been a close friend and trusted ally. They might not have been as close as Ronan and Shane, but they were like brothers.

“He is terrified you will find out who he is.”

“This raving lunatic is not the uncle I knew all my life. I don’t understand what has hardened him so.”

“I’m sorry, Ronan.”

He was surprised by her apology. After everything she’d gone through because of him, he was the one who owed her an apology.

“Why are you apologizing to me? I left you here unprotected, and then I took his side without even allowing you the chance to explain. What kind of husband doesn’t stand with his wife? It is me who is sorry.”

“I’m sorry he isn’t the man you once looked up to like a brother. To find out your friend and uncle is not who you thought him must surely be a disappointment, and I’m sorry for it.”

He leaned closer and pressed a single kiss to her lips. This woman continued to surprise and captivate him each minute he spent in her presence.

“I thank ye, for your kindness. But know this: blood or no, I will do whatever I need to do to the bastard if he tries to harm ye. He will not come between us. Do you understand?”

Ronan blamed himself for everything that had happened to his wife in his absence, but he would see she was safe from this moment forward.