His Bonnie Highland Temptation

Genres: Erotic & Steamy Romance; Historical Romance; Ancient World Romance; Medieval Romance; Scottish & Highlander

Synopsis

Unwanted and unloved . . .



Siùsan Mackenzie has spent a lifetime feeling unwanted and unloved after her mother dies in childbirth and her father abandons her for a new wife and new family. Forced to start her life in her clan's village and then brought to the castle as no more than a servant, Siùsan longs for the chance to escape her clan and the hurt of being ignored. Will Siùsan find happiness in her new home, or is her future only to repeat her past?



Unaware and unready . . .



Callum Sinclair, the heir to Clan Sinclair, knows that he will one day have to marry to carry on his clan's legacy. He just did not know that his bride-to-be would arrive less than a week after his father announced the betrothal. When Siùsan arrives, Callum is unprepared for the gift his father has given him in his soon-to-be wife. Callum is eager to get to know his fiery haired bride who barely comes up to his chest, and Siùsan is tempted by Callum's whisky brown eyes and gentle nature.



Will Callum be able to reach Siùsan to prove to her that she will never be unwanted or unloved again? Can Siùsan put her trust in a man she desires but barely knows?



Contains mature themes.

Release date: December 10, 2020

Publisher: Oliver Heber Books

Print pages: 332

Sample

Chapter One

 

The pounding in Callum’s head as he awoke made him wonder if he had been mistaken for the blacksmith’s anvil. Slowly, he opened his eyes and looked over at the curvaceous blonde sleeping next to him. The previous night began to drift through his memory. His father, Liam Sinclair the chief of Clan Sinclair, had announced less than a sennight night ago that not only had he arranged a betrothal for Callum, his heir and tánaiste, but that the woman would be arriving before the sennight was over. She was expected some time late this day, so last night he had celebrated his upcoming nuptials by drowning his sorrows in more drams of whisky than he could remember and taking his current lover to bed for a night of entertainment and pleasure. He had been very sure to tell Elizabeth that this was his last night of freedom and that their short, albeit passionate, liaison was coming to an end. While Callum Sinclair may have enjoyed more than a few women’s attention and considered himself a well experienced lover, he was also a man committed to fidelity to his wife. Whomever she might be.

Callum had not intended to fall asleep with Elizabeth in his bed as he knew she would awake and want one more tumble. She was insatiable which had suited him just fine before he knew he was to be betrothed. Even after the announcement, he had been sure to enjoy her talents to the fullest as his freedom was rapidly drawing to an end. After all, the documents were drafted but not yet signed. He knew that he must have passed out after their last round of coupling. He never thought of his time with a woman as love making as he had never actually been in love.

As Callum came more fully awake and realized that he wished he could fall back to sleep alone, he also realized that the pounding was not just in his head but at his door. He could hear his brother, Alexander, calling to him.

“Callum! Get up. Yer bride arrives within the next quarter hour. She and her escorts have been spotted coming over the rise. Ye’d best be getting cleaned up.”

Callum was suddenly very awake and feeling very shaken, both by the remnants of his overindulgence and the news that his soon to be bride was soon to be at the keep. Callum jumped from his bed and began looking for a clean leine, his breacan feile, or great plaid, and brooch. As he rounded up his clothes, he glanced again at Elizabeth still asleep in his bed and grimaced. There would be no time to bathe, and he knew he smelled of her and their coupling. He went over to the washstand and lathered the bar of soap against a cloth. He did his best to freshen up and wash the sleep from his eyes.

“Callum, are ye awake? Yer bride will be getting here in just a few minutes.” Alex continued to bang his fist against the door.

Callum stumbled over to the door as he pulled his leine over his head. He pulled the door open and stared at this brother. Alex pushed his way into his brother’s chamber and looked at the woman now awake and sprawled across Callum’s bed. He glared at her and then at his brother. Callum Sinclair was one of four brothers and none of the other brothers Sinclair had taken a liking to Callum’s current lover. They found her to be pretentious, self-serving, and manipulative and had tried to warn Callum on more than one occasion, but Callum had been enjoying her attention and ministrations too much to give any serious thought to her character, or lack thereof. As he glanced over his shoulder and watched her sexy stretch, he knew that she was trying to tempt him back into bed. She rolled onto her side and shamelessly allowed the sheet to fall loose from her breasts as she ran her hand over his side of the bed as she eyed Alex. The invitation was clear: come back to bed, or your brother can take your place.

For the first time since meeting Elizabeth a few months ago at court, Callum regretted bringing her back with him. She had been a lady-in-waiting to a noblewoman. She was a widow and of lesser noble birth. He had explained from the very beginning that he was not looking for a long-term attachment and had no intention of marrying her. That had not deterred Elizabeth from agreeing to come back to Sinclair land and staking a claim. Callum had arranged for her to have her own chamber, and, before this night, she had never shared his bed. He had always gone to her. He had wanted to save the sanctity of his bed for his wife. This day was not starting well.

“Lass, ye best be getting a move on. I am needed below stairs, and ye canna stay here.” Callum looked back at his brother in time to see his grimace of dislike. Callum walked to the bed and folded his plaid quickly. He wrapped it around him and secured it with his brooch. He found his sporran and belted it around his waist before putting on his boots.

“So, yer little bride to be arrives shortly. How vera nice for ye. I ken how excited ye are to meet her,” Elizabeth purred.

A chill ran down Callum’s back as he heard a tinge of malice in Elizabeth’s voice. “Dinna be trouble, Elizabeth. I explained to ye that our time was going to end soon when I found aboot the betrothal. I told ye last eve that it was over. Let us leave things on a good note.”

“Of course, Callum. We both kenned this was only to last as long as it was enjoyable for us both.” That statement gave Callum no reassurance as it had been highly enjoyable last night. He was beginning to wonder if Elizabeth was going to let go with grace or dig her claws in.

“Get dressed and go, lass.” Callum walked out of the door with his brother in tow.

“What the bluidy hell were ye thinking taking her to yer bed the eve before yer bride arrives? Are ye really that stupid or just that selfish?” Alex fumed.

If it had been anyone other than his brother, who was next in age to him and his second, he would have smashed his fist into his face. Callum ran his hand through his still disheveled hair. He realized that he had forgotten to comb it. I must look like a right mess and for a first impression.

“First of all, she isnae even officially ma betrothed yet. Second of all, I canna undo last eve. Ye ken how I feel aboot being pressed into marriage with a lass I have never even seen. Ye were there drinking with me. I can only hope to make a decent impression on the lass.”

“Aye. I was there, but I also left off long before ye. I tried to warn ye when I saw Elizabeth lurking near the fireplace but ye wanted to do what ye wanted to do. Ye werenae listening to anyone but yer cock. I swear it’ll cause ye trouble and right soon, I’d image.” Alex turned to walk down the stairs and Callum followed. He heard the door to his chamber open and close as Elizabeth came into the passageway. He attempted to speed up, but Alex was just as large as he and blocked his way. He knew it would be obvious to all that Elizabeth had spent the night with him. He just prayed that no one made mention of it in front of his soon-to-be betrothed.

 

Chapter Two

 

Siùsan Mackenzie walked into the Great Hall of the Sinclairs’ keep, Castle Dunbeath, and wondered if she would ever feel at home here. Her eyes rounded at the site of the massive double door entrance with the iron studs to reinforce the wood. She wondered just how large the Sinclair men must be to need a door so wide and so tall. She had heard the rumors that the Sinclair brothers and their father were mountains of men. Her eyes swept over the two fireplaces that were wide enough for at least three women to stand shoulder to shoulder and tall enough for even a large man to stand within. Only one of the fires was lit as the spring air was fairly warm today considering she was now nearly in the northern most part of Scotland. The temperature had dropped significantly each day that she and her escort had travelled northwest. She took in the Sinclair coat of armor hanging above the lit fireplace. Above the empty fireplace was an assortment of weapons that had clearly seen numerous battles.

Siùsan’s gaze shifted back to the coat of arms. The two lions rampant seemed to be staring at her and snarling. The two different ships made her wish to escape. She had been shocked when, just a moon ago, her father, laird of the Mackenzies, announced that he had arranged her betrothal. She still was not sure if she was more shocked that he had bothered to arrange a marriage for her or to whom he had arranged it. She and her father were not close.

Movement from the stairs caught her attention, and she turned to see two men walking down the stairs. They looked incredibly similar, but the first man seemed to have a wary expression that took in everything and everyone. His gaze swept across the Great Hall and quickly caught sight of her. He smiled but it looked more pained than welcoming. The man behind him shared the same chestnut hair and remarkably broad build as the first man, but there was an air of command to him. And an air of dread. She quickly deduced who her intended was. As they made it to the bottom of the stairs, the second man seemed to finally notice her. His eyes widened, and he smiled broadly. The death knell seemed to have stopped tolling for him. Siùsan was immediately on edge. Siùsan knew that she had inherited her looks from her mother as her father’s attitude toward her was a constant reminder. She also knew that she was considered more than passably attractive. Apparently, Callum Sinclair would agree with that assessment. She had not missed how displeased he looked to be coming to meet her and his rapid shift of demeanor made her wonder just how shallow her future husband was.

So red hair and green eyes are enough for him. Arenae I lucky?

The two men were soon joined by two more. Siùsan had never seen such a wall of manliness before. It was obvious that the four men were brothers as they were almost identical height, had the identical shade of chestnut hair, and from a distance, it seemed they all had brown eyes. One brother was only slightly taller and broader than the other three, and one brother seemed to be more barrel chested and slightly shorter than the others. Siùsan’s gaze locked on the man that she figured was her intended, and she tried to plaster a pleasant and serene look upon her face. It was the look she used when she had to be in the presence of her stepmother. They were not close either.

As her intended, she remembered his name was Callum, approached, she noticed that his eyes were a dark whisky shade of brown. When Callum stopped in front of her and bent to kiss her hand, she realized that his eyes matched the stench of whisky that was rolling off him. There was also another scent, almost more cloying, that seemed to waft from him. It was a bitter scent of roses, and Siùsan attempted to not wrinkle her nose as he stood up.

“Lady Siùsan, welcome to Castle Dunbeath and welcome to the Clan Sinclair.” His voice was deep and rough as it was clear he had not been awake awfully long. It was also warm and welcoming, and Siùsan began to feel a little more at ease. He seemed pleasant after all. She was just about to respond when a voluptuous, tall blonde positioned herself just slightly behind Callum. Her kirtle was tight across her breasts and hips and the laces were not quite completely tied leaving much of her cleavage exposed. The hostility and possessiveness seemed to radiate off her as she glared at Siùsan. It did not take much for her to immediately realize that this woman was her intended’s leman. Her ire rose at the insult and humiliation of being greeted by her soon-to-be husband and his mistress.

“Callum, thank ye for yer warm welcome. I must say that is an interesting fragrance that ye favor. It seems rather floral for a mon of yer stature.” She bristled and found an almost perverse pleasure at his stunned expression. His brothers guffawed and elbowed one another none too discreetly.

Callum saw that Siùsan was looking over his shoulder. He moved aside slightly in what he hoped would appear like he was about to introduce his brothers. He looked behind him and almost groaned out loud when he saw Elizabeth had not only followed him downstairs but was clearly staking a claim. He would have to find time to speak to her and arrange for her to either return to court or to her clan.

“Lady Siùsan—” Callum did not get a chance to make introductions as Siùsan moved toward the dais and dropped into a curtsey worthy of the king. Callum turned to see his father had been watching the entire exchange. The hard set of his mouth foretold the conversation he would be having with Callum, but his eyes were warm as he looked down upon Siùsan. He stepped down from the dais and walked to her.

“Rise, ma lady. Ye dinna need to curtsy to me. We are to be kin soon.” He took her proffered hand and placed a gentle, fatherly kiss on it and then pulled her in for a hug. Shocked by the show of affection, Siùsan was not sure how to respond. The hug was not too tight, but it was genuine. She slowly wrapped her arms around him and allowed herself to enjoy the embrace. It had been years since anyone had hugged her besides her half-brothers when she left her clan. She began to warm to the embrace and rested her cheek against the older man’s chest.

“Dinna fret, lass. He isnae at his best, but he is a good mon, I promise ye. I wouldnae promise ye to him if he werenae. I ken yer father and I ken yer mother’s kin. I look forward to becoming yer father-by-marriage,” Liam Sinclair whispered in the sprite of a woman’s ear.

Father-by-marriage. I hadnae really thought that far ahead. Mayhap he will be kind to me. Mayhap there is hope that he will be right. I wonder what he kens of ma kin. He sounded like he kens quite a bit.

Siùsan’s sense of reassurance quickly evaporated and was replaced by embarrassment. If Laird Sinclair knew her family, or at least knew of them, he would know of her status within the family.

Laird Sinclair turned Siùsan to face the four men who approached.

“Lady Siùsan, ye have already met ma auldest son and heir, Callum. To his right is Alexander, ma second auldest and Callum’s second-in-command of the guard. To Callum’s left is ma third son, Tavish, and beside him is ma youngest, Magnus.”

Siùsan dipped into a shallower curtsy but was respectful, nonetheless. “Thank ye for the welcome. It is a pleasure to be here.”

“Have ye broken yer fast yet? Would ye care to join us as we do?” Callum’s deep voice filled her with warmth, but it took only a second to remember her distrust and disgust.

“Nay. I havenae broken ma fast yet. I would appreciate the meal after a fortnight of sleeping outdoors and eating bannocks every morn.” The group moved to the dais. Callum usually sat directly to Laird Sinclair’s right, but he showed Siùsan to that seat. He sat to her right.

Siùsan smiled at the older woman who placed a bowl of porridge in front of her. The kind woman smiled back and nodded slightly.

“Lady Siùsan, this is Hagatha, our housekeeper. She has overseen this keep since I was a wean.”

“Tis nice to meet ye, Hagatha. Thank ye for the porridge. It smells wonderful and sweet.”

“A little honey, ma lady.” Hagatha whispered with a wink. Siùsan could not help but grin.

As Hagatha moved on to oversee the serving of the meal, Siùsan heard a tinkle of laughter that attracted her attention. She saw Elizabeth seated at a lower table close to the dais. The woman was leaning forward to offer the entire dais a clear view of her more than ample breasts. Siùsan peeked down at her own chest and, while she was well enough endowed, she felt lacking in her feminine shape. Callum studiously kept his head bowed over his bowl and shoveled the food into his mouth. Siùsan, too, looked down at her bowl, however, she looked out from under her lashes several times to see Callum glance at Elizabeth as he ate.

At least he has the decency to nae be obvious, but he’s still lusting after his leman right next to me. What has ma father done? I dinna want to marry a mon who canna keep his philandering away from me.

Another peel of laughter floated across the din of the Great Hall. Siùsan looked up in time to see Elizabeth swipe her finger across her breast to scoop up porridge she had dribbled. She licked her finger and then sucked it into her mouth. Siùsan could not stop the gasp that escaped her.

“I need to check on ma horse. It was a long journey, and I think he has a loose shoe. I will check in with the blacksmith.” She pushed back her chair and scurried off the dais. While she walked out of the keep, she managed to take long strides and rush out while still maintaining some composure.

Shite! Callum was stunned both by Elizabeth’s display and Siùsan’s reaction. He pushed back his own chair and rose. He looked down at his father and saw the displeasure written all over his face.

“Fix this. Fix both.” Liam Sinclair swung his glare toward Elizabeth. “Or I will send the chit away maself.” He nodded toward the door. “Go.”

Callum stepped down from the dais and moved toward the door. Elizabeth saw his approach and grinned. She started to rise, but he walked past without even sparing her a look. If he had seen her face when she sat down again, he would have known that a woman scorned was a woman filled with spite.

 

Chapter Three

 

Siùsan practically sprinted across the bailey to the stables. She entered the stables and was greeted to the familiar scents of horse and hay. She breathed a sigh of relief to be with her horse and to be away from Elizabeth, Callum, and all the other Sinclairs. She wandered along the stalls until she found her horse, Trofast. She had been there the day Trofast was born. The foal’s mother did not live long after the birth as it had been exceedingly complicated, so the stable master had to assist the mare. As a foal, Trofast took to Siùsan, who regularly came to visit him. She fed him goat’s milk and taught him to follow a lead line. He was always happy to see her and neighed whenever he caught her sent. As a tribute to her mother’s Norse heritage, Siùsan named the horse Trofast, or faithful.

When Siùsan got to Trofast’s stall, she greeted the now fully-grown stallion by blowing into his nostrils and leaning her forehead against his nose. She looked around for a curry brush and entered the stall. Whispering, she voiced aloud the question she had asked herself earlier, “What has ma father done?”

“Hopefully found ye a good and happy match.”

Already Siùsan recognized Callum’s voice and spun around. She had not thought that he would follow her out to the stables, let alone hear her. The look on her face would have been comical to Callum if he did not feel so guilty for how things were going.

“Lass, I owe ye a tremendous apology and mayhap an explanation. I am vera sorry for the greeting and meal ye have just received.” Siùsan felt choked up and swallowed. She walked along Trofast’s side as she brushed him down. She could not bring herself to look at Callum as he continued to speak. “We kenned ye would arrive today. We didna expect ye quite so early in the day. I admit I was surprised when ma da announced the, our, betrothal. I didna react as well as I should have. I over indulged last night as I saw it as ma last night of freedom.” Callum could have sworn that he heard her snort at his confession. “I ended ma ties to Elizabeth last night. We are to sign the betrothal contract today, and I willna have anyone come between us.”

“Us?” Siùsan swung around. “Us? There isnae an us. There is ye and her, and then there is me.” Siùsan bristled and turned away before she said something she would regret. He was not bringing out the best in her. When had she become such a shrew?

She walked to Trofast’s hind quarters. She lifted her skirts above her ankles as she stepped over the hoof she lifted. Callum was surprised to see a woman scraping a horse’s hoof. He was even more surprised when he realized that he rather liked knowing that she could and would take care of her own horse.

“Lass, I ken what it looks like, but she isnae ma leman. I admit that I have been involved with her, but it began before the betrothal was arranged. I have never kept an official mistress. I never will.” He paused to see her reaction. She had moved on to check her horse’s other hooves. Her back was still turned to him, but she seemed to be listening, so he continued. “I ken we dinna ken each other, and I canna ken what the future holds, but there are some things I ken for sure. I give ye ma word of honor that I will be a faithful husband to ye. I willna ever stray, and ye can be sure of that.”

“How? How can I be sure?” Siùsan lowered the hoof she was checking and walked out of the stall. She faced Callum and fought the urge to put her hands on her hips.

“Lass, ma mama and ma da werenae a love match, but they quickly grew to love each other because they put in the effort to get to ken each other and to build a happy life together. They had five bairns, and ma mama lived long enough for all of us to see what a marriage should be. Ma da was always faithful to ma mama. Always. I mean even now. Mayhap he has sought his release over the years, but I canna say for sure as he has never made aught known to us. I dinna think he has. I hope to one day have what ma parents had.”

“I dinna ken ye yet. How can I ken that ye speak the truth and arenae just telling me what ye think I want to hear?”

“Ma word is ma bond. I am a Highlander, and ma honor is something I can never get back once it is lost. One day, I will lead this clan and must keep their trust. I will pledge maself to ye today. I will do so before God, ye, ma da, and ma clan. To me, we will be as good as married.”

Siùsan took a step back. She was not entirely sure what he meant by his last comment. Did he expect that she would be willing to anticipate the wedding?

I am nae letting him bed me. A betrothal contract may be binding, but it isnae a marriage. It isnae even a handfast.

Her thoughts must have been clear on her face. Callum ran his hand through his hair. “I seem to be mucking this up even more. I dinna want ye to think I will ever pressure ye to be intimate with me. I dinna want to and willna wait until we stand before the kirk to make that pledge to keep maself only unto ye. I meant that ma pledge of fidelity begins today.” He gave her a shy half smile. “Even if I didna mean all of this, but I do, ma da would flay me alive if I ever dishonored ye or disgraced maself by nae being faithful.”

“Ye fear yer father?”

“Aye. Of course, I do.” Callum laughed. “Do ye nae recall his size when ye sat next to him?”

“Aye, I do. I ken where ye get yer braw size from.”

“Braw, am I?”

“Ye ken it as does every woman under five score.”

“There is only one woman who I want to notice me, and I thought mayhap ye hadnae.”

“How could I nae? Ye take up an awful lot of space.” Callum laughed again and his deep baritone warmed Siùsan again. This time, she felt like she could trust him more. Not entirely, but more. “Please, dinna disappoint me. I willna trust ye again easily if ye betray me.”

Callum reached out for her hand. “May I?” he asked before lifting her hand. When she nodded, he brought her hand to his lips and pressed a soft kiss to it. After he lowered her hand, he stepped forward and brushed a soft kiss on her cheek. Siùsan’s hand tingled where his lips caressed her skin, and her cheeks pinkened. She pressed her fingertips to her cheek where he had kissed her. She was shocked that he had done that and shocked at how much she liked it. It scared her how desperately she wanted to believe he was telling the truth.

“Siùsan, havenae ye ever been kissed before?” Callum asked softly as he watched her dazed reaction to his small acts of affection.

“Of course, nae. I amnae loose.” Now her cheeks turned red with embarrassment and annoyance.

“I didna mean that at all. I just thought a woman as bonnie as ye would have had more than one mon attempt to steal a kiss and at least one would have been lucky. I am sorry. I didna mean to insult ye. I seem to only be able to do that today. I ken I need to try harder.”

“I am the laird’s daughter. Nay mon has ever tried to steal a kiss, and I wouldnae have allowed it anyway. It wouldnae have been proper.”

Callum stepped closer and reached his hands out. He tucked her hair behind each ear. He smiled down at her and realized just how much smaller than him she was. She barely came to the center of his chest, and he must have weighed at least nine stones more than her. He rather liked that. There seemed to be an odd blend of a will of iron and an innocent vulnerability about her. It made him want to get to know her better and at the same time protect her. She was not frail or even that small of frame, but she seemed slight compared to his own towering height and broad build. At almost six and a half feet, he virtually towered over her, but she did not seem intimidated by him. She just seemed unaccustomed to male attention or affection.

Odd since I ken she has a father and two brothers. How can she be so surprised by affection or even male attention?

Siùsan looked up into his whisky-colored eyes and felt like she might drown. His sudden concern and kindness were almost overwhelming for her as she was so unused to such caring. His hand gently cupped her cheek, and she found herself leaning into his touch.

“We willna go faster than ye are ready for. I will never force ye to do aught ye dinna want or arenae ready for. I promise ye I will only ever sleep alongside ye every night for the rest of our lives together.”

Siùsan was a little overwhelmed at what he was saying and implying. She swallowed and found enough courage to ask him what he would expect from her. “Once we are wed, will ye come to ma chamber, or will ye send for me when ye would like ma—company?” She did not think she could look him in the eye now that she had asked such a personal question, but she wanted to know how things would stand before she made any mistakes or formed the wrong expectation.

“Neither, mo neach beag.” He smiled at her surprise. He was unable to tell if it was from his answer or his calling her his little one.

“I dinna think I ken what ye mean.”

“I mean, mo neach beag, there will be nay yers or mine when it comes to chambers. There will only be our chamber. Where ye sleep is where I sleep, and I rather like the chamber I occupy now.”

“Oh.” Her mouth formed a perfect circle, and Callum’s mind immediately jumped to picturing her in his chamber, in his bed, making the same expression as he pleasured her. He had a momentary pang of regret as he remembered that he had shared his bed for the first time last night, and it had not been with his wife.

“Vera well, if ye wish.” Siùsan was feeling in over her head and needed to escape and reflect on their conversation. “I would guess that ye are expected in the lists by now, and I need to find the blacksmith. I will see ye in the Great Hall later.” She stepped around Callum, but before she walked away, she turned to look over her shoulder and added, “thank ye.”

Callum stood still and simply watched her walk out. His eyes took in the sway of her hips, and his cock twitched. He had to admit he was intensely attracted to his little bride-to-be. He had found her beautiful the moment he saw her. Her attractiveness surprised him. He had not let himself hope for a pretty wife as he did not want to be disappointed. Her spunk had come through more than once already especially when her greeting pointed out that she knew what he had done the night before and would not turn a blind eye. He rather admired it and found it beguiling. The sense of innocence and vulnerability that he had felt made him curious. He was not sure how someone who seemed so confident could seem so unsure at the same time.

Callum moved toward the door as a shadow filled the space. The sun shining in made it difficult for him to see who was there, but the scent and words that greeted him made him want to bolt. “There ye are, mo ghràidh. I was beginning to wonder how long ye were going to coo over yer little lost lamb.”

Callum ground his teeth to keep from rebuking her for insulting Siùsan. He simply did not want to engage Elizabeth in conversation. He moved toward the door, and she met him halfway. She reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, digging her fingers in like claws to hold on. Callum immediately tugged her arms from his neck. The way Elizabeth had acted since the moment she woke had been off putting. Callum was quickly coming to understand what his entire family tried to warn him about. Yet again, he was filled with a sense of regret and guilt over his selfishness and impulsiveness. He did not want Siùsan to see him with Elizabeth or hear that he had met with her in the stables after she left.

“Elizabeth, have done. I told ye last night that we were finished. That was the end. Let us part on good terms before I send ye away. I willna have ye alienate or humiliate ma wife.”

“She isnae yer wife yet. Mayhap she never will be. Ye arenae even betrothed yet. Ye dinna have to go through with it.”

“Of course, I do and more importantly, I want to.”

“Have ye been sampling her charms? Mayhap a roll in the hay to test her out before ye pledge ye life away.”

“Tread carefully. Ye are trying ma patience vera quickly. Regardless of whether I even liked ma betrothed—which I do, quite a lot—I willna have ye trying to come between us. This affair was always destined to end, and I have called it quits. Dinna touch me anymore and dinna follow me, or ye will find yerself outside the wall in a heartbeat.”

Callum brushed past her and stomped out of the door. He made his way to the lists. The scowl on his face kept others away. He took out his frustration with Elizabeth and himself on his brothers as he trained for the next several hours.