The Campbell Trilogy Read online

  Despair drained through her as she recognized the truth: Some things would never be restored—like her innocence and illusion of indifference.

  When she turned back around, she avoided his gaze but noticed that all vestiges of passion had been erased from his face. His expression was once again implacable. She hated his control. That he could be so unaffected when her world had just shattered seemed somehow all the more devastating. What would it take for this man to feel?

  “Everything will be all right, Caitrina.” He tried to take her hand, but she yanked it away. There was nothing he could do to comfort her. “I will speak to your father—”

  “No!” Her eyes flew to his in panic. “You will do nothing of the kind.”

  His steely gaze bored into her, and he drew himself up to his full height—which was imposing indeed. “I will, of course, offer for you.”

  She shook her head. “There is no need—”

  “Yes”—he caught her arm, this time not letting go—“there is. I want you.”

  Her chest squeezed: possession. “You don’t want me. I’m merely another battle to be won. Something you saw and decided you had to have. A pretty decoration to keep by your side. You don’t even know me.”

  His jaw clenched. “I know all I need to know. You are clever, beautiful without artifice, strong, and care deeply for those you love. I’ve seen the way you look after your father and brothers.”

  “Because I love them. You can’t think that I’d ever feel the same—”

  “No,” he cut her off curtly. “I’d not expect that of you, but after what just happened, you can hardly claim that you are indifferent to me.”

  God, it was true. How could I have succumbed so easily? Hot pressure built in her eyes and throat. He’d warned her that she was naïve.… Caitrina stiffened. Her eyes searched his face for signs of duplicity. Had he used her innocence against her?

  She felt like such a fool. “And whatever the Highland Henchman wants he takes, is that it? You knew I didn’t want you, so you tricked me. You are every bit as cruel as they say, not stopping at anything to get what you want.”

  Tiny white lines appeared around his mouth, the only sign that she’d penetrated his steely armor of control. “Have care, Princess,” he said roughly. “I’ve already warned you that I’m not one of your mealymouthed suitors you can wrap around your little finger. You are wrong about my motives. I took nothing that was not willingly offered. Deny me if you wish, but at least be honest with yourself.”

  She knew he was right, but she didn’t want to hear it. “I don’t want to marry anyone.” Her voice shook, she feared with a twinge of hysteria. “And I especially don’t want to marry you. I hate you for what you did.” For what you made me feel.

  There was something so intense in his gaze, she had to turn away.

  “Hate me if it makes you feel better, but it doesn’t change the fact that you want me. What we have together—” He stopped. “It is not common.”

  He was only saying that. She clenched her fists at her side, fighting for control. “You may have succeeded in proving that I desire you, but it does not change anything. You are still a Campbell and still Argyll’s toady—the sword arm of a despot.”

  “I’m my own man,” he said flatly. “I make my own decisions. If you took the time to look beyond the golden gates of your castle, you would see the truth plain enough. My fight is with outlaws and men who stand in the way of law and order.”

  “You are a thug and a brute,” she said, her voice laden with scorn. “And a fool if you think I’d willingly marry a man who is feared and reviled as the devil. Who is no more than a hired murderer.”

  The silence was deafening. His face was stony, but for a moment she glimpsed the cold fury in his eyes. Caitrina realized that she’d gone too far. But it was too late to take it back, even if she wanted to.

  He took a menacing step closer, but she stood her ground.

  “You claim to have such a definitive understanding of my character, and yet you do not appear frightened?”

  He was right. Looking at him with all she knew, by all rights she should be terrified. Standing there, his handsome features hard and forbidding and six feet plus of rippling muscles with hands that could crush her in an instant. She’d seen his cold, merciless rage against MacNeil … yet he’d touched her with nothing but tenderness. She lifted her chin. “Should I be?”

  His gaze met hers, deep and penetrating, seeing things she didn’t want him to see. “Perhaps you should be.”

  She was scared—not of him, but of herself.

  Caitrina’s chest squeezed. The tears that she’d fought to control spilled down her cheeks. “Just go away and leave me alone,” she choked.

  He flinched. Or maybe she’d just imagined it, because when he met her gaze, his eyes were like ice. “You shall have your wish. But your scorn is misplaced, and you will regret your refusal of my offer. One day, Caitrina, the brutal reality of our world will find you—and I guarantee it won’t be pretty dresses and fancy slippers.”

  Chapter 7

  It wasn’t over. Not by any measure. Jamie turned and left her in the woods, not looking back, the hot rush of anger pounding through his veins. Caitrina Lamont was his. She might not realize it yet, but she would.

  But right now, he was so furious that he didn’t want to tarry a minute longer than was necessary. As soon as he returned to the castle, he gathered his men and with a quick word to the Lamont left Ascog and the maddening lass behind him.

  After what they’d just shared, her scornful refusal stung. He’d thought she was softening toward him, thought that she, too, felt the passionate connection between them. Perhaps he’d erred in forcing her to confront her desire, but nothing could have felt more right. The feel of her coming apart in his arms would not be something he would soon forget.

  He’d never felt like that before with a woman. Ever. The strength of his emotion and the force of his response had shocked him. It was the closest he’d come to losing control. The urge to take her, to slide into that delicious heat, had been unbearable. And when her release took hold, the surge of heat in his loins had turned excruciating. The pressure had been so intense, it had taken everything he had not to let go.

  He shook his head, recalling her accusations. She thought he’d tricked her, but in fact it was the opposite. He wanted her for his wife, but he would not compel her.

  He’d actually hoped she might come to him on her own. But it was clear that her prejudice against him ran too deep. She wouldn’t even try to see him as anything other than a monster—a figment of tales and exaggeration. And Jamie was done trying to explain himself. He’d not grovel to any woman—least of all a cosseted lass who had no conception of the danger surrounding her.

  His thoughts returned to his mission—where they belonged. Despite spending the better part of a week searching the surrounding area and keeping his ears open for any talk, Jamie had not found the proof he sought to substantiate his suspicions. But it did not dissuade him from his belief that the MacGregors were availing themselves of the deep bond of hospitality forged with the Lamonts.

  Jamie understood the Lamont’s quandary—and even sympathized with him. The bond of hospitality was considered a sacred obligation in the Highlands, and if the MacGregors had invoked the old obligation, Caitrina’s father would feel honor-bound to give them shelter. But honor would not change the fact that he was harboring outlaws and, in doing so, breaking the law and putting himself directly in the way of the king’s rage. King James wanted the MacGregors eradicated and would give no quarter to those who helped them. The Lamont would pay a price, though Jamie intended to do what he could to help him.

  Jamie and his men left Ascog and traveled north to Rothesay harbor. If the Lamont was hiding something, he’d want to make sure Jamie and his men were long gone before revealing himself. So Jamie had taken the precaution of removing his warriors from the area, but they would circle back later. He didn’t think they