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He caught hold of her hand and held tight She tried to pull away, but he tightened his grip She was quite helpless now, and he knew it She gave hiht about his behavior

He winked at her

Alec was trying hard not to laugh The look she'd just given Connor did anized it too, for it was siet-you-alone expression his Ja to voice her opinion and knew she shouldn't

"You've still to appease my curiosity, Brenna," Alec told her

She forced a smile for the laird and tried to re about Connor had winked at her What in heaven's name had come over him?

"Brenna, answer my brother," Connor instructed

God help her, his eyes had turned so wonderfully warm Why did such a handsome warrior have to be so difficult all the tiht about that

"I would be happy to answer your brother"

Both brothers waited a good long while for her to do just that Alec took mercy on her before Connor did He reminded her of their topic

"You were about to explain how you knew Connor wouldn't give you to MacNare"

"It's simple, really I wouldn't let him"

"Of course you wouldn't," Jamie interjected just to show she supported Brenna's belief

Alec laughed His reaction puzzled Brenna Connor didn't laugh; he did s

Connor was still s outside He was just about to dismiss the matter from his mind when she asked him why her answer had aht," she agreed "Why were you pleased?"

"Because you believe you're strong enough to enforce your decisions"

Jaained Connor's full attention when she told hih to enforce her wants on you I believe she realizes she's intelligent enough to find another way to get whatever she wants"

"Our fathers didn't raise ignorant daughters, and it's your mistake to believe otherwise," Brenna said

"Isn't that so?" Jamie asked her husband, who stood behind her

Alec knew better than to disagree with his wife, as the issue seemed important to her "Yes, that is so"

Connor held one of the doors open for his wife Ja, then wrapped her ar into his ear that ave him a kiss on his cheek

"Co away froo outside

Quinlan's eyes widened in disbelief the second he saw his mistress She noticed his concern, shook her head at him, and pulled her hair down to hide her stitches Quinlan didn't say anything

They all noticed how she favored her left side coentle with her when he lifted her onto her horse, but she still grimaced in pain

Connor's farewell to his brother hed out loud, so a to his brother or grasping his hand to say his good-bye, he slaainst his shoulder Alec pounded him back Once the barbaric show of affection was finished, Connor swung up behind Brenna and put his arm around her waist

He leaned down close to her ear and whispered, "You've only a short ride before you're ho until his wife had finished saying her good-byes and gone back inside to find Grace As soon as the door closed behind her, he turned to Brenna His expression showed his ahter has a special fondness for her plaid"

"Is that so?" she asked, wondering why he wanted to discuss Grace's blanket now

Alec nodded "She can tell hers from another by the scent At least that is what ht, because Grace knohen one has been substituted for another She likes to wrap herself up in the blanket while she sleeps She'll have need for it tonight, Brenna, or et little rest"

Connor could tell from his wife's puzzled expression she didn't understand what Alec was asking "He wants you to give it back, Brenna," he said

Her face turned the color of a sunburn in less time than it took to blink She almost dropped the plaid when she ine how I forgot to put it down on the stool I did have every intention of doing just that, but I became involved in our discussion and ical explanation for her behavior when Alec put his hand on top of hers He looked as though he wanted to say so important to her, and she instinctively tensed in anticipation

"My ill be over the first of the week to plant your flowers, Brenna"

"Thank you, Laird"

"Alec was thanking you," Connor told her

"I realize that I was thanking hirateful to you for cohter's assistance, I would have to take issue with you for believing Connor and I wouldn't notice anything was aent woed us," Connor said

"Aye, you did," Alec agreed He removed his hand and stepped back "You do understand that it was our decision that allowed you to win your wager, but you need not thank us for our thoughtfulness''

She laughed again "You believe you let me win? I think not, Laird"

He raised his eyebrow "We deliberately pretended not to notice"

"That is so," she agreed "And you would be right to believe you favored the outcoered about Jaer over?" Connor asked, a hint of a smile in his voice

"Jamie was sure you wouldn't be able to keep silent and would deered you wouldn't say a word, and if my memory serves me, I do believe that is exactly what happened"

"One is the saued

"Is it?" she asked with an innocent s

"Ads to Brenna," Alec conceded

"It does," Connor agreed

"Will Ja Grace with her when she plants my flowers?"

"No, I don't letwith ain to show his affection, before striding back toward his ho just inside the doors, for as soon as Alec pulled one open, she ran to him and snatched her blanket out of his hand

Once she and Connor were on their way, Brenna ht on his lap and wrapping her arood-bye to Grace"

"She's busy explaining her conduct to her father now"

"What will he do to her? It was an accident, Connor Surely Alec won't hurt her tender feelings"

"She and Dillon are not allowed upstairs alone Alec will simply remind Grace to obey his orders"

"Are the other children as carefree?"