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“I completely understand her rebellious streak. She doesn’t want to have to answer to anyone after such a long period of unruly independence. Just needs a little discipline. A gentle but firm hand. Nothing I can’t manage.”

Broderick’s fingers curled into fists.

“I admit,” Tammus replied, “she is a bit headstrong.”

“Bah!” Forbes laughed. “She’s a woman. How headstrong can she be?”

“Well—”

“Listen, my friend,” Forbes interrupted. “I like her spirit. And she’s obviously smart. She’s just eager to show her new master that she’s a capable wife. I can respect that. Does she run a tight household?”

“Of course. You can see here, nary a speck of dust anywhere. The servants are well in hand. The meals, fit for royalty.”

“Aye, I see that. But, uh…” Forbes sipped his wine rather loudly. “What of MacDougal? Is he going to be a problem?”

“Nay. He told me himself, he’s no interest in my niece, even when I offered up her lands and the wool business.”

“He turned it all down?” Forbes scoffed. “He’s a fool.”

Aye, perhaps I am, Broderick thought as he peered at Davina from the corner of his eye. The crease in her freckled brow as she tried to listen beside him made him want to kiss the furrows away.

“The lad is just a bit overzealous in protecting her to give hera peace of mind during all this meeting of strange men. Ian was very heavy-handed, Arthur. But no. MacDougal is just a friend.”

“Good,” Forbes said. “I commend him. Couldn’t we all use someone as faithful as a devoted hound?”

The men shared a laugh, and Broderick’s shoulders bounced with a huff.

“Once we’re wed, though, she’ll have no need for him. I’d be honored to be Davina’s husband and protector, and I won’t let anyone lay an unnecessary hand on her again.”

“So, you’ll marry her?” The relief in Tammus’s voice was palpable. “That’s wonderful, Arthur. I knew I could count on you.”

“You’re the one doing me the favor, lad!” They clinked their goblets.

And Broderick seethed.

That wordunnecessaryis what sealed Forbes’s fate.

Broderick grabbed Davina’s hand and, with stealth, checked around the foyer and in the study. No one was about, so he led her up the stairs. Her eyes widened and she resisted, but he put his finger over his mouth again, motioning to her it was all right and urged her up to her chamber. He locked the door behind them and faced her.

Davina folded her arms tightly as Broderick shut the door behind them. The lock clicked into place—loud in the hush—and the sound made her stomach twist.

She whispered, not wanting anyone to hear that Broderick was in her bedchamber. “What did you hear? What were they saying?”

Broderick didn’t move.

He stood with his back to her, one hand braced flat against the door above his head, the other clenched tight around the knob. His forehead rested against the wood, shoulders rigid, breath measured like a man trying to cage something feral. Every line of him was tension barely restrained—and he said nothing.

“Broderick,” she demanded in a harsh whisper. “Tell me.”

He pushed off the door and crossed the room in three swift strides, the heat of him crashing into her space before she had time to think.

“Tell ye?” he hissed, his voice low and dangerous. “Ye want me tae tell ye what that brute said, after ye deliberately goaded him in front of yer uncle?”

She recoiled slightly, blinking. “I was proving a point—”

“Ye nearly got yerself struck!” he cut in, barely a breath above a growl. “And I warned ye—more than once.”

Her temper flared to life, matching his. “And I’m supposed to just let him spew filth and act the part of a decent man? Let my uncle hand me over like agiftand smile sweetly through it?”