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A woman called out to Laird Kincaid from the entrance Connor didn't look at her Brenna couldn't look anywhere else The woly beautiful, Brenna blinked twice, thinking she htmare The woman didn't disappear She wasn't just beautiful

She was courageous as well because she willingly walked across the hall to speak to Alec

Laird Kincaid's reaction to the vision was a ranted the woman permission to come forward He even smiled as he leaned down to listen to her Saints be praised, he was hu-lasting Brenna stared at the vision, who bowed to them and took her leave Brenna kneas rude to stare, but she couldn't seean to feel as attractive as last week's leftovers Alec must think Connor was out of his mind to have hland beauties They probably grew like heather around here

"Connor, is your wo what his brother's game was

"I would like to ask you a few questions, Lady Brenna I expect you to be truthful in your replies You have nothing to fear frooing to kill Connor How dare he tell Alec about her childish embarrassment Granted, he had forewarned her, but she hadn't believed hi as she did

"Yes, Laird I did ask him to marry me"

"Do you have so she would surely explain why she'd done such a thing

"I do"

"Say it then"

"I' There had been a definite note of defiance in her voice when she'd defended herself Perhaps she wasn't such a ht you were"

"You were mistaken"

He nodded

"Did you ask Connor before you were promised to MacNare?"

"Yes"

"Alec, we've been over this," Connor interjected "As I've explained several tio," he added as he gently pushed his wife behind his back again

Three times? He had to mention all the details, didn't he? She suddenly found herself wondering how timid Alec would think she was if he watched her throttle her husband

"I decide when I've heard enough"

"She belongs to iven to MacNare Don't push ain, brother You won't like the consequences"

"Our wedding was blessed Brenna, stop pushing ainst our church"

"No, I won't," Alec conceded "There is another way I could give her to MacNare"

"She could even now be carryingto provoke me?"

"She can still be free of you"

"How?"

"I'll kill you"

Connor was about to scoff at his brother's threat when his wife got his attention She was suddenly standing in front of hier caught both men by surprise

"For God's sake, Brenna," Connor ain "Stay out of this"

"Let her speak, Connor"

She was already standing in front of her husband by the ti his command

"Why can't I kill hiood reason"

She couldn't think of one "You have to ainst the table, folded his arms across his chest, and stared at her "The best of what?"

"Connor I understand why you want to kill him Most everyone who meets him eventually feels that way

Still, he's your brother, and if you'll only think about his virtues, you'll surely let hi to say that"

She realized she'd blurted out her thought as soon as the words were out of her mouth, and she hurried on before Connor took offense "He has hundreds of virtues"

"Such as?"

"He's loyal"

"And?"

She threaded her fingers through her hair in agitation while she concentrated on trying to come up with another one "His h, Alec Brenna, if you continue to defend me, my brother will havethe best I can"

Alec abruptly ended the inquisition by leaving the hall It was apparent Connor had gotten his manners from his older brother

"What the hell just came over you, Brenna?"

"You ca sio home now"

"We can't leave until Alec comes back"

"He won't kill you, will he?"

"No, he won't kill hter in his voice set her off "I don't care"

"Then why did you try to defend ical on her "If anyone kills you, it's going to be me, and I swear to God that if you try to shove ain, I will Do you have any?"

"Any what?"