Swinging into the saddle, Gerard nudged the horse to a walk and headed toward the stable.
“Bluidy blazing hell,” Connor said under his breath. He turned to Johanna. “Stay away from that one. Ye dinnae need to mix with the likes of him.”
Why, the audacity of the man. He’d pleasured her in a stable, of all places. Surely his brother could not be any bolder than the man who’d slyly hiked her skirts and driven her wild with bliss in the most unlikely of settings. Besides, she was not some timid maiden, ripe for temptation.
Not with Gerard MacMasters, in any case.
“He seems amiable enough,” she said, if only to tweak a nerve or two in the man who’d led her to the brink of surrender, then pushed her away.
“Amiable? That’s one way of putting it.”
Maggie dashed from the house. “Who’s come here?” she called. “Is that my favorite brother?”
Connor’s mouth hitched at the corners. Such an appealing man when he wasn’t flashing a fierce, forbidding frown. “Why, yer favorite brother is standing right here.”
Returning his smile, Maggie shook her head. “Ye know who I’m talking about…the brother who’s not stomping around breathing fire all the time.” She shot Johanna a cheeky wink.
“I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Gerard,” Johanna spoke up. “He seems a congenial sort.”
Maggie nodded her agreement. “And he never fails to bring his sister a gift from his travels.”
“Bah.” Connor fashioned a mockingly fierce scowl. “Ye know he’s full of hot air. ’Tis a wonder he doesn’t float off like some bluidy balloon.”
Maggie laughed, a lilting, cheerful sound. The giggle touched Johanna’s heart, even as it triggered a keen longing. How wonderful to grow up in such a large and loving family, with brothers and sisters whose smiling eyes betrayed their caring even when their voices were gruff or teasing. Seeing Connor and Maggie’s affectionate banter, she missed her own brother and sister all the more. Peter and Cynthia had been grand playmates and confidants when they had been children. Comfortable within their parents’ well-kept home, they’d been nearly inseparable. Until they grew up and distance, both physical and emotional, had come between them. And now, Cynthia was lost to her forever. But she would find Laurel. She’d bring her sister’s darling child to safety.
“That may well be true. But Gerard’s timing is perfect. Mrs. Bailey’s prepared quite a feast in honor of our guest.” Maggie’s smile lit on Johanna. “I trust ye’ve a taste for Scottish fare.”
“There’s no time,” Connor spoke before Johanna could reply. “I’m leaving.”
“Leaving?” Maggie and Johanna uttered the question at the same time. The word echoed in Johanna’s mind. Her stomach wobbled a bit, but she took a calming breath. Surely she’d misunderstood.
He fixed his attention on his sister. She’d gone pale. Slowly, she took a step back, as if removing herself from the field of battle.
“Maggie, I expect ye to see to Miss Templeton’s comfort while she’s here. She’s not to feel like a stranger.”
His words shredded Johanna’s composed veneer. She whipped around. Facing him, hands on her hips, she met his level gaze.
“While I’m here? I’ve no intention of staying put while you run off after that stone.”
His head moved slowly side to side. “Yer intentions don’t mean a damn thing. I’m not dragging ye into a viper’s nest.”
“You cannot stop me. My niece—”
He stared down at her, the look in his eyes as unyielding as his flinty rasp. “Yer presence will endanger the bairn. It’s a complication I don’t need.”
Anger rippled through Johanna’s veins. “This is not your battle. Cranston is expecting me to come for Laurel. Not you.”
“I’ve pledged to bring the child to safety. I cannae protect ye and the girl at the same time.” His voice was low and gruff, his words hard and piercing as a stiletto.
“I do not need your protection. I would value your assistance, but I will not stand by like some helpless damsel in distress while you charge into a fight that is not of your making.”
“The battle between the MacMasters clan and Cranston and his bastard thugs has been in the making for a long time.”
“Whatever you have planned, I am going with you.” Johanna layered her tone with ice and steel.
“Out of the question.” His words boomed like a king’s edict. The gall of the man.
“What’s this about?” Gerard ambled toward them. The taut set of his features contradicted his easy movements. How much of the discussion had he overheard?
“Nothing that’s of concern to ye.” Connor’s glare might have intimidated another man, but his brother only shrugged.
“If Miss Templeton needs an escort, she may consider me at her service.” Gerard kept his expression dispassionate. “Whatever ye require, Johanna.”
“Like hell ye will,” Connor said, his expression hard as flint. “She is to remain at Dunnhaven, under MacMasters’ protection. I won’t chance her safety.”
“I am under no one’s protection.”