Read Online Highland Moonlight by Teresa J Reasor - Free Book Online

actions if he
    continued.
    “‘Tis my right being your father and your Laird, lass.”
    She shook her head. “I will not speak agin him, to you or anyone else.”
    “If you will not speak, then I will be forced to bring forth witnesses who
    will testify to what transpired between you.”
    She stiffened in outrage. “No one, but Alexander and I know the truth. If
    anyone says otherwise, they speak falsely.”
    “Do you deny you are with child, Mary?” Collin demanded.
    A prickle of fearful wariness ran up the back of her neck. “Nay, I can not
    deny that.”
    “Do you admit the child belongs to Alexander?” Collin asked.
    “Aye, the bairn is his.”
    “There are only two ways in which a child may be conceived, Daughter,
    by consent or against it. By which was your bairn conceived?”
    Mary remained silent a moment. She would not lie to seek vengeance
    and see her bairn deprived of a father. Did Collin truly think she would? Her
    gaze focused on the priest. “Father Patrick said I tempted Alexander.” Her
    voice shook. “He said ‘tis the nature of woman to tempt man, as Eve
    tempted Adam.”
    “Nay, Mary.” Alexander stepped forward and rested a hand against the
    small of her back. “You were innocent, lass. “T’was I who—”
    “Do not say more, Alexander!” The words were torn from her in panic.
    She placed a hand against his chest to stay his words.
    “‘Twould seem the two of them are intent on protecting one another,
    Collin.” One of the men on the council said as he retained his seat at the
    table close to the fire. “How are we to choose which to punish, when neither
    will speak agin the other?”
    Collin strode forward to face her. “If you will not speak agin him, you
    must be punished for the part you took in it. Whore!” The word roared
    through the room as he shouted it at her.
    Mary flinched.
    Alexander lashed out, striking Collin in the face with such force; it
    drove him backward into the midst of the cluster of men.
    Collin pushed away from them to regain his feet and spat blood from
    his mouth. His features twisted with rage. He drew his sword.
    As Alexander freed his broad sword, she stepped between the two
    before the first strike could land. Alexander grasped her arm and jerked her
    back causing her to stagger. He caught her about the waist and held her
    tight against his side. He turned his body to shield her from her father as he
    advanced on them.
    Campbell and MacLachlan clansmen armed themselves. The chilling
    sound of weapons being drawn rang out on either side of the room.
    “Enough!” John Campbell’s shout carried over the din and his fist
    struck the top of a wide wooden table with the hollowness of a gavel. “There
    will be no blood-letting here this day.” His amber gaze traveled about the
    room in challenge, then settled on Collin. Campbell’s tawny glare held a
    feral gleam of violence held in check. “‘Twas you who ordered this council to
    settle this dispute peacefully, Collin,” he reminded, “You said you would
    abide by their decision.”
    “I did not know my daughter would lie to defend him.” Collin pointed at
    Alexander with his sword.
    “You have made a charge against your daughter maligning her
    reputation, Collin MacLachlan. Do you plan to produce witnesses to support
    such a charge?” One of the MacLachlan chieftains asked.
    “Alexander Campbell may witness to her conduct,” Collin taunted.
    A sound of protest was torn from her.
    Alexander’s arm tightened around her. “Mary had not been kissed nor
    touched in any way until I took her to me,” he said, his voice carrying
    throughout the room. “Our union was secured by the betrothal contract and
    that is as binding as a marriage decree. I mean to wed her whenever she
    wishes.”
    “She has refused to accept you because you took her against her will,”
    Collin shouted. “Speak now, Mary, and tell them it is so.”
    Collin’s eyes were a bright burning blue, his cheeks flushed a