Read Online Legacy of the Mist Clans Box Set by Kathryn Loch - Free Book Online Page B

list he had made. Instinctively, he reached out and rubbed her neck with his fingers. Catriona groaned and nearly melted under his hand.
    “Thank ye again for yer help.”
    She smiled, but did not move. “I enjoyed it.”
    “Enjoyed what?” de Courcy’s voice asked flatly.
    Branan looked up in surprise. De Courcy stood at the door, his dark eyes glittering in anger. Although he had done nothing wrong, Branan instantly moved his hand away from Catriona.
    Catriona, a slight frown blurring her brown, gazed at de Courcy. “I was just helping Branan with a few things.”
    “Helping?” he asked, stepping forward. “And what, pray tell, could you help him with?”
    Branan did not appreciate the tone of his voice.
    “We were just going over some of the records. Branan has need of a chatelaine.”
    “Then he should have requested the aid of my steward.”
    “Oh, there was no reason to bother him, I was able to—”
    “Get above-stairs,” de Courcy snapped. “Your assistance is not necessary.”
    Catriona rose, bristling like a little cat. “Not necessary? I’m perfectly capable—”
    “I am aware of what females are capable of and I will not have it happening here with my betrothed,” de Courcy said as he strode toward her, his boot heels slamming against the stone floor.
    Anger at de Courcy’s poorly veiled insinuation shot through Branan. He clenched his fists and rose, but said nothing.
    Catriona turned bright red. “So not only are you questioning my intelligence, but my integrity as well, sir?” she spat.
    As Branan gazed at de Courcy’s cruel expression, a warning shiver slithered down his spine. The man stood over Catriona, trying to cow her with his larger stature. His body bowed, every muscle coiled, the veins in his neck stood out, and his face turned florid. His eyes gleamed with a primal fury. In a heartbeat, Branan was twelve years old again, watching Strickland’s fist descend on his mother.
    De Courcy’s weight shifted and Branan saw muscles contract as he lifted his arm. Sheer terror coiled through him. “Nay!” he bellowed, stepping forward, his actions no longer under his control. In his memory, he so clearly saw his mother, but before him stood Catriona, and he could not allow the same to happen to her. The black rage possessed him, red tinting his vision.
    He stepped in front of Catriona and launched his fist into de Courcy’s jaw with a savage cry. De Courcy flew backward a good three paces, where he landed in a heap on the floor.
    Branan started to step forward, the red haze still clouding his vision, but he suddenly felt a small hand gripping his arm.
    “Branan, nay,” Catriona said, standing beside him.
    He blinked, trying to clear his vision, his breath coming in rapid gasps. His hands shook with the fury still coursing through him.
    Catriona gazed up at him, her eyes wide. “Branan, he didn’t touch me.”
    Branan tore his gaze from her and glared at de Courcy. He couldn’t think through the rage possessing him. He wanted nothing more than to snap the bastard’s neck.
    Catriona pushed around in front of him, placing both hands on his chest. “Branan, stop,” she said, her voice low and soothing, but also firm. “It’s all right.”
    De Courcy sat up, shaking his head. “What in bloody hell?”
    Branan’s body instantly coiled again. For so many years he had stood helpless as Strickland beat his mother. He had tried to stop him, God knew he had tried. But what was a youngling compared to a full grown man? He had watched, powerless, as Strickland struck the blow which would send his mother to her grave. But now, Branan was no longer helpless.
    “Branan, please,” Catriona said urgently, her hands pressing more forcefully against his chest. “It’s all right.”
    He felt every muscle in his body trembling violently. Just as he had always done when faced with his mother’s pain.
    “I should have you beaten from this keep,” de Courcy growled, rising to his