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Sometime later, with several well-needed whiskies in is system, Domhnall sat by the fire, feeling far calmer and relaxed.

He heard the study door open, and looking up, he watched Kai enter.

“I hear ye released the dragon,” his brother joked while pouring himself a drink.

“I think I’d prefer a bloody dragon,” Domhnall sighed. “Even the fire-breathing kind.”

Moving across the room, Kai lowered himself into a matching high-backed chair beside his brother and the fire.

“It’ll get easier. She’ll calm down eventually.”

“Will she?” Domhnall replied doubtfully. “I dinnae ken, Kai. She’s a feisty one. I was forced tae agree tae this marriage tae save the clan from further attacks, but at the time, I assumed I was tae marry a subdued English lady. This woman doesnae fit that picture at all.”

“Has it occurred tae ye that she might be as angry at this union as ye are?” Kai said. “Enya said it earlier, and I cannae disagree with her. Lady de Beaumont has been torn from everything she’s ever kent. Sent here against her will. Ye ken she willnae have had any say in the matter.”

“Then perhaps she ought tae be taking her anger out on the people who sent her here, and nae me.”

“Well, from what I heard, she has a lot o’ animosity against ye. Did ye really kill her faither?” Kai frowned.

Domhnall shook his head. “If I did, I’m nae aware o’ it. And surely, I would be. Like I told her, a nobleman would be obvious in battle. In his dress, the horse he rode, his demeanor. Surely, I would ken. But I dinnae.”

“Then where has she come up with such a notion?” Kai asked.

“Her braither, or so she told me.”

Kai fell silent, and the two sat there, staring into the fire, clearly contemplating their own thoughts.

After a while, Kai turned to Domhnall and said, “I ken this situation isnae what ye want, Domhnall, but it cannae carry on like this. Lady de Beaumont is tae be yer wife.”

“Tell me something I dinnae ken,” Domhnall growled sarcastically.

“Ye have tae promise me that ye’ll spend more time with her.”

Domhnall turned and stared at his brother.

“I mean it, Domhnall. Swear tae me.”

Taking a huge breath in, Domhnall eventually nodded. “Fine.”

Kai then leaned forward, placing his hand on Domhnall’s arm. Immediately, Domhnall felt a calmness wash over him. He hated Kai manipulating his feelings, but under the circumstances, he knew it was necessary. He had to get through this one way or another, and if Kai bringing him some peace was what it was going to take, he really had no choice but to go along with it.

CHAPTER FIVE

The door slammed behind her, and Katherine was left standing, looking at two beautiful women that looked exactly the same.

“You’re twins,” she gasped.

The one to her left nodded and smiled warmly. “We are. I am Enya, and this is me sister, Thora.”

The other one smiled and nodded.

“It is a pleasure tae meet ye, Lady de Beaumont,” Thora said. “We apologize fer our braither’s brutish behavior. He’s nae yet housetrained.”

Katherine couldn’t help but smile at the woman’s wit, but at the same time, she felt surprise.

“The laird is yer braither?” she breathed.

“He is,” Enya nodded. “But I assure ye, we are nae all as pitiless as he.”