“I thought of that, as well,” David said, one corner of his mouth twisting upward. “Ye and I think verra much alike, Blackswell. ’Tis why we have been so successful since ye became my right hand. I’ve nae a single doubt that ye’ll take a care with yer new wife. Bed her but dunnae give her yer trust.”
He didn’t plan to. “And if Bullard proves treacherous?” In Brodee’s mind, the question waswhenBullard proved treacherous.
“Then we will crush him.” The severe words rang with finality.
It was a good thing Brodee had no need for a happy marriage. “Will that be all for now, Sire?”
“Aye.”
Brodee inclined his head and made for the door, eager to seek out his men. He wanted to ensure they were ready to take the castle. Four steps out of the great hall, and the door squeaked open behind him.
“Hold.”
Damnation.Brodee swiveled to face the deep voice. The MacLeod stood in front of the now-closed door, a wry look upon his face. “Ye dunnae wish for a wife, do ye?”
Broch’s words regarding Iain MacLeod came to mind:Fair. Honorable. Fierce. Loyal. Utterly devoted to his wife. Reasonably devoted to their king.Meaning, the MacLeod knew the king was a man who made errors like all mere mortals. This was in addition to being dangerously observant…
Brodee frowned. “What makes ye say that?”
“Experience. I recognize the signs. But dunnae fash yerself, the king dunnae see what I see.”
“Do ye have a point?” Brodee asked, refusing to acknowledge the MacLeod’s comment about what he saw in Brodee.
“Aye. If ye dunnae consummate the marriage, it can be dissolved.”
“Was that yer plan when the king ordered ye to wed yer Sassenach wife?” Brodee tried to keep the amusement out of his voice, but he failed.
The MacLeod’s eyes glazed with exasperation. “First of all, he did nae order me. He asked.”
Brodee just stared. The MacLeod knew as well as Brodee how the king maneuvered to get what he wanted.
“And secondly,” the MacLeod said, scowling, “I took one look at my wife, and lust overcame me.”
“Ye sound weak to me,” Brodee said, purposely prodding the man.
The MacLeod smirked. “Ye’re witty. And witty men tend to hide things.”
Brodee snorted. “Ye’re too personal with yer questions. Can ye keep a secret?”
The MacLeod nodded and leaned closer.
“I can too,” Brodee whispered, allowing his amusement to come through in his tone this time.
The MacLeod chuckled. “It seems we’re both flawed.”
“Seems so,” Brodee agreed. He liked the MacLeod.
The laird grinned. “My point is, dunnae let lust or emotion overcome ye, and ye’ll be fine.”
“I never have,” Brodee said, even as he was struck by the untruth of his own words. Once, hehadallowed lust and emotion to swallow him up like the sea, and he’d almost drowned because of it.
But that was his secret to keep.
