“If it will put you at ease, I’ll let you examine it.”

She pushed back from his embrace and then positioned herself on her knees at his side.

He sat up and then tugged his tunic over his head, baring his muscled shoulders and chest to her view. Her gaze wandered over his torso, drawn inexorably to the expanse of male flesh.

Her fingers came out to trace the puckered line of the still sealed wound.

“Does it pain you?”

“Nay, lass. Not when you touch me so. I feel naught but the sweetest of pleasures.”

Heat rushed to her cheeks and she nearly snatched her hand away, but he captured it and held it firmly against his chest.

“I like your touch,” he said huskily. “I remember you touching me when I was insensible with the potion they gave me.”

More embarrassed now than ever, she ducked her head. How bold he must think her. She should not have taken such liberties with his person, certainly not when he was barely conscious.

“Are the stitches to your satisfaction?” he asked.

“Aye,” she whispered. “I see no sign of infection.”

He tugged her back down to his bare chest. ’Twas like being touched by fire. His heat surrounded her and beckoned her closer still.

His hand feathered over her cheek and then delved into her hair, circling to her nape, and then, to her shock, he raised his head and pressed his lips ever so gently to hers.

She gasped against the fullness of his lips, but all tension fled her as she relaxed into his hold.

Oh, aye, this was a kiss.

He was exceedingly tender as he explored her mouth, his lips sliding over hers. His tongue brushed against her bottom lip, lapping at the cut in the corner of her mouth.

It was intoxicating, like drinking too much ale. She was drunk on his touch and the sensation of him against her. She experienced a rush such as she’d never felt before, and she never wanted it to end.

His other hand went to her scarred cheek, and when she would have pulled away, he caressed the damaged flesh and framed her face with both hands in order to deepen his kiss.

When she let out a breathy sigh, his tongue slid inside her mouth, soft and sensual and coaxing. Shyly, she met his tongue with her own, dancing and teasing the way he was doing with her.

He pulled back, his breath coming raggedly and his eyes half-lidded. The color in his cheeks was high, almost as if he had indeed taken a fever. But that look … He looked at her as if she was the most beautiful lass he’d ever laid eyes on. For a moment she was able to forget that her face was ruined, and that she bore the mark of another man’s greed and lust. For in Bowen’s eyes she saw herself as a beautiful, desirable woman.

“You taste just as sweet as I knew you would,” he said in a husky voice laced with passion.

“ ’Tis my first true kiss,” she admitted.

His eyes softened. “And what think you of your first true kiss?”

He hadn’t misunderstood her intent. Aye, she’d been kissed, but never with such sweetness or reverence. It made her want to weep for all that she’d missed.

“ ’Twas wondrous. I’ve never experienced anything to match it,” she said honestly.

“ ’Tis glad I am to be the first.”

He continued to stroke her cheek and he thumbed her bottom lip, which was now swollen for an entirely different reason.

Then he raised his head and softly captured her lips in another lingering kiss. This time when he pulled away there was regret in his eyes.

“ ’Tis time for me to rise. I wish it were not so. ’Tis the truth I’d rather never leave this chamber, and I’d sell my soul to do nothing more than kiss you for the rest of my days. But I have matters to attend to and the issue of another dead McHugh. And we must take you to Taliesan’s chamber so our story will be sealed.”

Mentioning her attacker had the effect of being doused with cold water. She immediately withdrew, shame crowding her heart.

She was acting the wanton mere hours after another man had tried to rape her. What was wrong with her?

The McHugh clan didn’t need prompting to cry her whore, and here she was in the laird’s chamber. It was an open invitation for others to revile her more.

“Nay, don’t look like that, lass,” Bowen said in a quiet tone.

He sat up and reached for her, sliding his hand up her arm in a caress that made her shiver.

“You’ll hold your head high, for you bear not the blame for what has happened. The man who attacked you received what he deserved, just as anyone else will should they dare to touch you.”

“I am not worth such vehemence,” she said, refusing to meet his gaze.

He captured her chin and forced her to look at him. His eyes were angry, and his lips were drawn into a tight line.

“You’re worth it to me.”

She knew not what to say. She stared back at him in befuddlement.

Leaning forward, he pressed a kiss to her forehead and rose from the bed.

“I’ll see you to Taliesan’s chamber and have her attend you. Perhaps ’tis best if you remain above stairs until I’ve made my case clear to the rest of the clan. You’ll not remain a prisoner of your own chamber, though. You are free to come and go as you please, and ’tis something you should be able to do without fear of attack. I’ll ensure that it is so.”

“I know not why you do this for me,” she said, her heart squeezing in her chest.

He extended his hand to help her from the bed.

“Because ’tis something that should have been done for you long ago.”

Chapter 27

Bowen walked Genevieve to Taliesan’s chamber door, but when she started to go within he grasped her hand and gently tugged her back.

Surprise flared in her eyes as he pulled her to him and lowered his head to sweep her mouth in another kiss.

It was like being set fire to. He felt more alive than he’d ever felt. God’s bones, but he wanted nothing more than to sequester them both in a locked chamber where he could hold her and kiss her for the rest of the day.

Hellfire. Forever was more to his liking.

She gave the sweetest sigh, and it gave him even more pleasure that he was able to please her. ’Twas obvious the lass had never known a gentle hand, nor had she ever experienced the joys of loving.

It had angered and saddened him that she’d said his kiss was her first. Oh, he knew he hadn’t been the first man ever to kiss her, but ’twas obvious her meaning. He’d been the only man ever to softly woo her with tender, passionate kisses.

He dragged himself reluctantly away and then bade her to go inside and close the chamber door. As he stood there, staring at the closed door, he was struck by the thought that he could well be in love with her.

It was such a stunning discovery that he could no more than stand rigid as he was pelted with all the ramifications.

In love.

The more he played with the idea, the more he realized that it was truth. He well knew how a man looked and acted when he was in love. Graeme had certainly fallen hard for his wife, and now Bowen had done the same for a lass who was trouble. A lot of trouble.

He was torn between marching into Taliesan’s chamber and telling Genevieve he loved her, and damn the consequences, and going below stairs to address the issue of her safety within the clan walls. And then he needed to configure a plan to remove her from here as soon as possible.

Only there were many problems with that.

One, he had to tread very carefully with Genevieve. She would not take his declaration well, and it might drive her away and any progress he’d made in gaining her trust would be gone.

The lass had been damaged by all that had been done to her. It wasn’t something that was going to disappear from her memory overnight. She would require careful wooing and an extraordinary amount of patience on his part.

Two, he didn’t want to be parted from her, so the idea of removing her from McHugh Keep with all haste left him with a dead sensation in his chest. He was needed here, and there was no timeline for how long. His brother needed his aid, and he would provide it, no matter what. But neither did he want Genevieve exposed to such venom on a daily basis.

’Twas a perplexing conundrum, to be sure. He wasn’t at all sure he liked this matter of love.

Testy and irritable, he turned from Genevieve’s door and put distance between it and him before he lost what measure of control he was maintaining and burst into her chamber like a lad declaring his love for the first woman he fell for.

By the time he reached the hall, he was gripped by agitation and he scowled at everyone who crossed his path.

’Twas enough to set to rumor that he was intent on killing someone again. His brother and Brodie hurried to him in the courtyard, their concern apparent as they approached.

“What ails you?” Teague asked warily. “I hear you’re on another rampage.”

Brodie stood silent, watching the interchange between the brothers as if he was loath to intervene in any way.

Bowen arched an eyebrow. “What makes you say such?”

“We were told you had plans to kill another McHugh. I wanted to see what sin had been committed this time.”

Irritation bit sharply at Bowen. “You say that as if there was no sin committed before.”

Teague’s eyes narrowed and he suddenly became very serious. No longer were his words flippant or drawn out for effect.

“The lass’s being attacked hardly constitutes no transgression.” His brow was etched with anger and his eyes blazed. “ ’Twas not my intention to discount what the lass went through. ’Tis enough. She should suffer no more. No matter my feelings about her or the sins she has committed. No one deserves such treatment.”

Bowen crossed his arms over his chest and nodded his satisfaction. “ ’Tis glad I am to hear you say so.”

Teague scowled. “How could you think otherwise? I believe you’ve handed me great insult. When have I ever condoned the mistreatment of those weaker, especially a mere slip of a lass?”

“I’d rather not have to break up a fight between the two of you,” Brodie said in a calm voice. “The word was spread that you entered the hall in a killing rage and that surely another McHugh life would be forfeit. Teague and I merely came to ascertain your demeanor for ourselves.”

Bowen snorted. “ ’Tis true enough I scowled at the lot of them, but I’ve not shed any more blood. Not yet. But the day is still young. I may have a need before ’tis over with.”

Teague lifted his chin in Brodie’s direction. “I say we don’t allow him all the amusement.”

Bowen chuckled and shook his head. “I aim to make my point loud and clear. Consequences will be outlined for disobeying my directive where Genevieve is concerned.”

Teague stared at him a long moment and then lifted his gaze to Brodie. “Would you excuse us a moment, Brodie? I’d like to have a word alone with my brother.”

Brodie nodded and slipped away, disappearing around the corner of the keep.

Bowen raised one inquiring eyebrow in Teague’s direction.

“What are your plans for the lass?” Teague asked bluntly. “And I don’t mean what do you intend to do with her as far as punishment or retribution. ’Tis obvious you have a keen interest in her. I’m more interested in your personal plans for her.”

Bowen frowned. “I’d say ’tis none of your affair.”

“Don’t hand me that,” Teague muttered. “Think on this, Bowen. Do not do this to the lass. You want to bed her. ’Tis plain as the nose on your face. She isn’t a lass to be casually bedded, and you should well know this. I may have reservations where she is concerned, but she’s been hurt enough. Don’t take advantage of her in this manner.”

Bowen stared in shock at his younger brother. “You insult me, brother. Who says I have any intention of casually bedding the lass? Moreover, ’tis none of your affair what my actions are toward Genevieve. You’ve made your judgment of her clear.”

Teague shook his head. “Nay, I have not. I have eyes. I can see how tormented the lass is. I can see what has been done to her spirit. ’Tis enough to turn my stomach. You make a game of bedding lasses. You use wit and charm to woo them into your bed, and then you move on to another challenge. I’m merely telling you that you should have more respect for Genevieve than to simply make her another conquest.”

Bowen’s lips curled and he bared his teeth. They ground together until his jaw pained him. He advanced on his brother, a low growl emanating from his throat.

“I love her,” he said fiercely. “She is not some passing amusement. The last thing I’m going to do is hurt her. I’ll kill anyone who tries.”

By saying it aloud, he thought perhaps it might seem silly to him. That perhaps he’d been swept up in the moment with Genevieve and that maybe he wasn’t quite to the point of love yet.

But he was dead wrong. The words felt right on his lips. Saying them aloud only confirmed what his heart already knew. He was well and truly in love with the lass, and there was naught but contentment within him at the whole idea.