Page 54 of The Laird's Wicked Game
Rae had never admitted such to his brother, but ever since Jack and Tara had come to live at Dounarwyse, he’d been secretly envious of the bond they shared. Their obvious passion for each other and easy rapport had stood out against the reserve between Rae and Donalda. Even after over a decade of marriage, there had been no spontaneous affection between them, whereas his brother and Tara couldn’t keep their hands off each other.
And then, after Donalda’s sudden sickness and swift death, his brother’s contentment gradually chafed him even sorer.Rae had decided not to wed again, and he wasn’t the sort to casually take a lover—or he hadn’t been before Kylie came to live in his broch. All he could see before him was a lonely life where he sacrificed his wants for the good of his people.
But since taking Kylie to his bed, his bitterness had eased, as had the anger that had soured his belly for so long. For the first time, he was truly enjoying the pleasures of the flesh with a woman ripped from his dreams. He too had tasted joy, but this evening, it felt as if the warm cocoon he and Kylie had wrapped themselves in had fallen away.
She was deliberately taking a step back from him, and there was nothing he could do about it.
And to his chagrin, a kernel of resentment formed deep in his belly at the contentment upon his brother’s face. He should be pleased for him—for he knew the trials that Jack and Tara had endured to be together—but this evening, it was difficult to summon charitable thoughts.
“What has got ye in a mood?” Jack asked, eyeing him as he strode to the sideboard and poured himself a generous cup of wine.
Rae didn’t answer. Meanwhile, Storm rose from the fireside, gave a languid stretch, and padded over to the Captain of the Guard, plume-like tail wagging. Jack ruffled the dog’s long curly coat as Storm pushed against him. “At least someone is pleased to see me.”
“I’m sure Tara would be,” Rae replied sourly.
“My lovely wife is busy finishing the decorations for the hall with Lady Grant.” Jack crossed to the chair next to Rae and lowered himself into it. He then stretched his long legs out in front of him, crossing them at the ankles. “I know better than to intrude on such a task.”
Rae grunted.
Jack took a swallow of wine, regarding him under a furrowed brow. “What’swrongwith ye, this eve?”
“Nothing.”
Jack snorted. “Liar … but if ye wish to keep yer own counsel, that’s fine by me.”
“Any news from the Watch?” Rae asked then, deliberately shifting their exchange from him to more practical matters.
“None … it’s been blessedly quiet of late.”
Rae nodded, frowning. “I expected to hear word of the Ghost Raiders by now … but it seems they didn’t reive anywhere in The Western Isles this autumn.” Indeed, September through to early November had been foggy. Rae had ensured he had patrols out every evening during the risky months, keeping an eye on the nearby villages, and the coastline for any sign ofThe Night Plundererlurking in the mist. However, not only had they not bothered his lands, but it seemed they’d left everyone else alone too. It was odd, and their silence made him nervous.
“Maybe their thwarted attack at Moy at Bealtunn scared them off,” Jack suggested.
Rae’s lips thinned. He too wanted to believe that, but a tension deep in his chest told him the raiders were merely biding their time. Even the joy he’d found with Kylie couldn’t distract him from it. “That’s what they want us to think,” he said after a pause. “They’ll wait until we get complacent and then strike.” He paused then, flashing his brother a hard smile. “But at least we’re prepared now.”
Jack’s auburn brows knitted together. “Aye, although we haven’t had fog for a while … now it’s cold enough to freeze off Lucifer’s balls.”
Rae snorted. “No, but in spring, when the sea fret rolls in again, we must be ready.”
Silence fell between the brothers then. They slowly sipped at their wine while Storm picked up an old ox bone and began gnawing it before the fire.
“How are my nephews progressing with their studies?” Jack asked finally when it became clear that Rae wasn’t going to restart their conversation.
“Impressively.” Rae glanced his brother’s way to find Jack watching him, his gaze slightly narrowed. “They both had a brief exchange with me in French yesterday.”
Jack smiled. “It seems their tutor has gotten that rambunctious pair in hand.”
“Aye,” Rae replied cautiously. “It would seem so.”
“Ye did well to hire her. I knew she’d work out.”
Rae nodded, although he now fought a growing uneasiness at the direction his brother was heading in. He didn’t wish to discuss Kylie at present.
“Ye two appear to get on well,” Jack observed then.
Rae stilled. Cods, his brother was like Storm on a scent. Taking a fortifying gulp of wine, he then shrugged. “Well enough.”
“On the contrary, brother … before she came to live here, ye were growing increasingly dour. But of late, I’ve actually seen ye smiling … often.” He paused before grimacing. “Although not this eve.”