Caelen's Wife: Book One - A Murmur of Providence (Clan McDunnah Series 1) Read Online Free Page B

eager smile on her face. Mayhap ’twas all a jest.
    “Caelen,” Brodie said, returning the smile.
    “How long has it been?” Caelen asked.
    “Far too long,” Brodie replied. “At least two years, I believe.”
    Caelen nodded, an action that made his skull scream in protest. He swallowed the urge to curse. “What brings ye to me this day,” Caelen asked as he let go of Brodie.
    “Caelen,” Brodie said reluctantly. “We be here because of an incident that took place on our lands last night.”
    “What kind of incident?”
    Brodie didn’t get a chance to answer. There was a loud thump which was quickly followed by a groan and a curse. “Damn it, Fi!” William McPherson moaned loudly.
    Caelen watched as a young lad stepped forward. He wore leather armor over chainmail and dark leather trews. Dark gloves covered his hands, one of which was balled into a fist, the other resting on the hilt of his sword. ’Twas quite difficult to make out the lad’s face as it was covered by a full helm.
    Brodie glanced over his shoulder and when he turned back to look at Caelen, his smile had disappeared. There was no way to mistake Brodie’s frustration or embarrassment.
    The lad came to stand next to Brodie, looked up at him and shook his head disgustedly.
    “Incident?” the boyish figure asked.
    Caelen blinked and stared more closely at the small figure that stood next to Brodie.
    ’Twas no boy.
    ’Twas a woman.
    Bloody hell.

    F iona had grown far too frustrated with her brother playing nicely with the McDunnah. They’d come here for three things: to find answers, to retrieve the stolen sheep, and to warn Caelen McDunnah to leave them alone. So far, all they had accomplished was Brodie and Caelen behaving like long lost brothers.
    Having had enough and wanting to get to the heart of the matter so that she could return to her home, Fiona kneed William in the back of one knee, causing him to lose his balance and bump into Collin. While her brothers cursed and grumbled, Fiona took the opportunity to step forward.
    There was no mistaking which of the two men standing in front of the hearth was Caelen McDunnah. A large, garish scar ran down the left side of his face. His dark eyes, though bloodshot, still held a glimmer of youth.
    She remembered his hair being darker. It had lightened over the years, but not by much, and he had it pulled back at the nape of his neck with a leather thong.
    As tall as Brodie, Caelen wore a cream-colored tunic tucked into brown leather trews. The tunic couldn’t hide his broad shoulders or well-muscled arms, or the fact that he had a flat stomach. Boots were laced around well-muscled calves. Were she not here to warn him to stay off her lands, she might have not been so angry with herself for finding him to be even more handsome than she remembered.
    Next to him was a man who could quite possibly be Caelen’s brother for their resemblance was remarkable. The man wore a full beard and looked to be older than Caelen by only a few years. The as yet unnamed man stared at Fiona, with what could only be described as intense scrutiny.
    On the way to the McDunnah keep, Fiona had learned more about the McDunnah from her brother Brodie. For instance, the McDunnah was a man who loved a good fight and rumor had it that he often started one out of sheer boredom. Or insanity. It was oft difficult to read the man’s moods, but everyone in her entourage agreed that ’twas more likely insanity that motivated him.
    One thing that was agreed upon was that you wanted Caelen McDunnah as a friend and not a foe. He was ruthless on the battlefield to the point many thought him deranged.
    Rumor also said that to this very day, he still mourned the loss of his beloved wife and son and the man would never remarry. While it might have added to the mystery for Brodie, Fiona attributed the attack and likely soon-to-come proposal to it simply being the right time and opportunity to seek a new wife.
    Now she stood before