DARE THE WILD WIND Read Online Free PDF Page B

lethal his displeasure could be.  Taller even than Cam, he was leaner, but as powerfully built.  If she had been afoot in the meadow or fool enough to stray within his reach, she would never have escaped him. 
    "You've crowned your day with new conquests," he said in a voice only Brenna could hear.  "My friends look as if they've forgotten where we first encountered you."
    Brenna's eyes challenged his.  "Perhaps they remember that they're gentlemen."
    He whitened under his tan.
    "And I don't?" he shot back.  "You tread risky ground, madam."
    Chilled, she saw her insult had struck closer to home than she intended.  She could push him too far.  But Brenna would never plead with him, least of all here.
    "I'm accustomed to rocky footing.  And your m en only follow your lead."   
    His color returned, and his control with it.  Grudging admiration surfaced in his eyes.  "So you have wit in the bargain.  You'd do well at court."
    "I have no ambition to waste my days at court."
    Disbelief registered for a second in his face.  Then his expression turned cynical.  "Perhaps your indifference is only to King George's court." 
    They had reached the long oaken table in the dining hall.
    Brenna faced him.  "I don't want a place at any court.  I only want to live in peace in the Highlands."
    Malcolm had drawn close enough to hear the last.  "The wish of all at Lochmarnoch Castle," he said, openly toadying to the Earl.  "And all the clans who gather here on the morrow."
    Drake Seton's gaze swept briefly to her brother.  "What a pity every Scot doesn't share your sentiments.  As it is, my men are shot down on the road to your gates."
    "You have my word, my lord, that the man who laid in ambush will be run to earth.  I don't countenance rebels on Dalmoral land.  If he is my tenant, I'll hand him over to your men and turn his family out after him."
    Drake Seton sent Brenna a quick ironic glance.  "I incline to think none of your tenants would defy you," he said dryly. 
    "Talk of blood and vengeance does very little to whet the appetite.  My men and I have spent a long afternoon scouring Lochmarnoch Wood.  I suggest we dine in civilized fashion."         
    Brenna allowed the footman to seat her at the banquet table in the center of the refectory.  Though their attempts at grandeur might seem paltry to an English peer, Brenna loved this room.  The carved oak of the table and the cabinets lining the tapestry hung walls had darkened with age, but below the high vaulted ceiling, the furnishings still had a massive grace in keeping with the gothic scale of the hall.  
    The table was covered in snowy Irish linen, discreetly mended, and they raised antique spiral stemmed goblets of Venetian glass to toast the King.  Only the old fashioned, highbacked chairs lacked cushions to soften them.  By the third course, Brenna saw two of their guests begin to shift inconspicuously in their seats.  But Drake Seton gave no outward sign he noticed the unyielding surface of his chair despite a day spent in the saddle.
    Their English guests might find the chairs hard, but they dined off fine plate.  Light from candles on the table and sconces on the wall played on the smooth curve of old silver.  Crafted in Queen Anne's reign, it was simple and elegant, part of the dowry Brenna's mother had brought to Lochmarnoch.  Long ago, her mother had said one day it would be hers.  But Brenna knew her brother too well ever to think that he would add it to her dowry.
    Brenna ached to see Cam.  Despite her own peril with the Earl, her greatest fear was for Cam.  He would take a far bigger risk tomorrow if he rode through the castle gates.  But if he confronted Malcolm and tried to sway their gathered neighbors, Brenna made herself one promise.  She would leave Lochmarnoch with him.
    The Earl had left off baiting her when they sat down to dinner, but Brenna ate very little of the soup and game and salmon set before her.  Quickly