Once Upon a Highland Christmas(41)

She’d make sure they always held hands as they fell asleep.

Just now, Dermot O’Doherty was standing before her, twisting his big, work-scarred hands. “I am going nowhere, uncle.” Breena lifted her chin, almost feeling the steel running through her backbone. She spoke clear and firm. “I am already wed, and even if that could be undone, I’d not allow it.”

Beside her, Grim relaxed. She could sense the relief pouring through him. Even so, he exchanged a terse glance with Archie.

He was still worried.

“That won’t do, Breena.” Her uncle looked unhappy, but his voice was strong, unbending. “A lord’s command cannot be disobeyed, especially one he makes of his daughter.”

“A daughter he doesn’t even wish to meet? A daughter he hasn’t acknowledged until now? I think not.” Breena shook her head. “My decision is mine and you’ve heard it.”

“Your father’s word is law.” Her uncle went to the rampart wall where he’d stood earlier, once again placing his hands on a merlon. “No one will care if you were wed here for a day or so. Not once you’re returned to Ireland, your days here forgotten.”

“I will never forget my husband.” Breena’s heart thundered. She lifted her voice above the wind. “I’ll not leave him. Nothing under the heavens can make me.”

“An army could take you, Breena.” Dermot O’Doherty kept his gaze on the night, as if he didn’t trust himself to face her as he spoke such damning words. “Your father will send one, you can be sure.”

“And perhaps he won’t.” Archie marched over to him, poked him in the back with end of his crummock. “If you tell him you couldn’t find her he’ll no’ be knowing the difference now, will he?”

Dermot O’Doherty said nothing.

Grim glanced at Breena, leaning down to speak low in her ear. “Dinnae you worry, sweet, I will talk to him. If he cares for you as you’ve told me he does, he’ll want the best for you.”

Breena wasn’t so sure.

Grim might make it worse.

Her uncle was a stubborn man. And just now he appeared more uncompromising than ever. He stood staring out across the dark, night-bound hills. His entire body was rigid, his jaw hard-set. He didn’t seem to notice the swirling snow, the bone-biting cold. He looked unbending, as if he were carved of stone.

“He isn’t the man I thought he was.” Breena’s heart broke to say the words. But the truth was as real, and devastating, as if he’d sprouted horns and a tail. “He serves a great lord, a man who wields much power. He’s oath-bound to do as he’s been ordered.”

Grim lifted a hand, brushing the snow off her cheek. “Sometimes, lass, our hearts tell us to do otherwise. A good man heeds such urgings.” He rubbed his thumb along her jaw. “I shall challenge him, reminding him of his debt to you. The lass he claims to have loved as a daughter. If he is disagreeable”—Grim stepped back, patted his sword hilt—“there are other ways of persuasion.”

“I wouldn’t see him hurt.” Breena’s voice caught, the thought paining her. She did love him, despite everything.

“Devil take him.” Grim frowned. “I’ll no’ have anyone try to spirit you away.”

Breena flashed a look to where Archie still groused at her uncle. The old chieftain was using his walking stick to jab the air on each word. “Archie isn’t helping. My uncle is just ignoring him.”

“Archie means nothing to him.” Grim glanced toward the two older men, then back at her. “You do.”

“So I always believed.” Breena’s pulse quickened, a plan beginning to form in her heart. “If anyone can change his mind, it would be me.”

Grim slowly shook his head. “I will speak man to man with him. That is best.”

“Grim.” Breena reached out, gripping his arm to stop him when he started to cross the battlements. He clearly intended to confront her uncle alone. “I am going with you.”

“Nae, you shall wait here.” Grim slipped his arm from her grasp.

“Indeed?” Breena lifted up on her toes, whispered in his ear what he wouldn’t be allowed to do if he tried to stop her.

“That’s no’ fair, lass.” He frowned.

“I say it is.” She beamed back at him, her confidence waxing.

When he blew out a breath and shoved a hand through his hair, his gaze dipping to a certain place currently hidden beneath her skirts, she knew she’d won.

He did seem to love kissing her there.

“Well?” She lifted a brow and tapped his chest. “Shall we speak with him now? Together?”