To Dream of a Highlander(45)

Never mind that she’d been the only woman he’d ever opened up to about Alice. He shook away the memories. Lord, that woman sent him out of his wits—more addictive and dangerous than a poppy tonic. She addled his mind. What nonsense had he said about love? How he thought mayhap he loved the memory of Alice more than he’d really loved Alice? Had that been true? Was he so determined to cling to the hurt that he couldn’t remember how he’d actually felt about Alice? When he looked at Katelyn, his love for Alice seemed so insipid—a young, foolish kind of love. As sweet and as lovely as she was, Finn had never felt the same desperate need for her as he did Katelyn.

Footsteps drew his attention. Logan stepped out of the hall, glanced around and ran a hand through his brown hair. Jaw tense, Finn narrowed his eyes and studied the man. He must have gone to the armoury. His sister trusted Logan unquestionably. Was she also trusting him with her body? A swell of anger made is skin hot. He did not like the idea of the man putting his hands on Lorna. She was still vulnerable after her marriage to her controlling husband. He could hardly stand by and let someone take his pleasure and bring shame on Lorna.

“Logan!” he shouted and came unsteadily to his feet. He dropped the jug, not caring when he heard a crack. “Logan,” he said again when the man turned to face him. “I crave a word with ye.”

“What can I do for ye, Finn?”

In the glowing torch light, Logan’s strong features looked strained and tired. Good. Let that be his punishment for believing he could take advantage of his sister.

“I saw ye leaving Lorna’s chambers.”

Logan seemed to take a moment to consider this before nodding. “Aye, ye may have done.”

Finn curled his hand into a fist. Ach, the man did not even dispute it. Did he boast with his men of bedding the lady of the keep? Damn him.

“So ye dinnae deny it?”

“I dinnae deny it,” he replied evenly. “I am in no habit of lying to ye, Finn.”

Rage bubbled up inside Finn and he breathed heavily through his nostrils. The gall of the man. Looking him straight in the eyes and calmly declaring he’d bedded his sister! Before he realised what he’d done, he brought a fist across Logan’s face.

The man staggered back, eyes wide. When he didn’t fall, it only incensed Finn more. Why did he not even show the slightest bit of shame? He had thought Logan honourable. Hell, he’d trusted him with his sister.

Leaping forward, Finn used his weight to push Logan to the ground. Instead of fighting him, Logan held up his fists in defence and tried to shove him off. Finn was too heavy and used the chance to punch his undefended ribs. The brown haired man expelled a gagging cough and Finn repeated the movement. Blood trickled from Logan’s nose.

With a sudden show of strength, Logan used his feet to propel Finn away. It took Finn by surprise and he ended up pinned underneath the man. The wine must have dulled his senses as, though Logan was a strong man, no one could defeat Finn in a fair fight. He stared up at Logan while the man kept him restrained with an arm across his neck. He braced himself for a hit, but none came.

“I dinnae blame ye for yer anger.” Logan drew in a ragged breath. “But ‘tis misplaced. Ye should know better than anyone I wouldnae harm yer sister.”

Finn narrowed his eyes and shoved Logan away. Logan allowed him to clamber to his feet and eyed him warily.

“If ye want to look after her, ye willnae bed her again.”

“I make no promises.” Logan crossed his arms over his chest.

With a roar, Finn ran for Logan again but a blinding pain struck him across the mouth and he realised he’d run into a fist. He reeled back, a hand to his now bloody lip.

“I love her,” Logan said quietly as Finn tried to blink away the painful haze the punch had left him with. “I fear ‘twill come to naught but I willnae make a promise I dinnae intend to keep. If I can persuade Lorna she loves me too then any promise would be for naught.”

Finn let his shoulders drop. Ach, he was a fool. He should have known Logan would have honourable intentions. The man admired his sister more than anyone. Of course he loved her. Anyone could see that. Apart from him apparently. When exactly did he become the fool? If anyone had dishonourable intentions it was him. But no longer. Nay, he was determined to be as chivalrous as Logan.

“I wish ye luck....”

“What are ye doing, ye great fools?” A feminine voice cut him off and he saw Katelyn stood at the top of the steps to the kitchens.

Logan held up his hands. “Dinnae worry, my lady, all is settled now, is it not?” He looked at Finn for confirmation.