His Conquest by Diana Cosby

shoulder, taking some of his weight.
    “I need not your help,” he said through gritted teeth.
    Linet held, sensing his request came from his not wanting to appear weak before his brothers.
    Before he could say more, soft hoofbeats echoed in the crisp air as the two men cantered toward them. The largest man, his hair as black as Seathan’s, drew to a halt, the menace carved on his face changing to relief.
    The warrior with blond hair and a deep cleft in his chin drew up to his side.
    The black-haired man jumped to the ground and caught Seathan’s shoulders. He studied him in a quick sweep. “God’s eyes! Who beat you?” Cobalt eyes lashed toward Linet, darkened. “What happened to him?”
    The blond-haired god jumped to the ground, caught Linet’s shoulder before she could step back. Fierce green eyes pierced her. “Tell us!”
    “The lass helped me escape,” Seathan rasped.
    “Escape?” At once the blond-haired man’s hold on her eased.
    The black-haired man looked far from convinced. “From where?”
    “I—” Seathan started to sway.
    “He needs to sit,” Linet interrupted, shooting both brothers a cool glare. “If you have not noticed, he is about to fall over.”
    The dark-haired man held her gaze a moment longer, then nodded. “Duncan, catch his other shoulder.” He and the other brother helped Seathan toward the thicket of trees where they’d hidden a short while before.
    Shielded within the alcove of leaves, the blond-haired man turned toward his brother. “I will retrieve the horses.” He hurried through the trees toward where they’d left their mounts.
    “The gruff one’s name is Alexander,” Seathan forced out.
    “Gruff,” the dark-haired brother snorted as he helped Seathan settle against a moss-blanketed stump. “I could not hold a sword to you.” His gaze shifted to Linet, grew serious. “You saved my brother. For that I am in your debt.”
    The blond warrior led the horses into the thick leaf-strewn limbs which would shield them from view. “How is he?”
    Seathan winced as he shifted to a more comfortable stance. “Not dead. And able to speak for myself.”
    Relief swept Duncan’s face, and dimples deepened in his cheeks. “Aye,” he shot back with a twinkle in his eyes, “it looks as if you will live. The surly ones always do.”
    Emotions swamped Linet at the obvious affection the brothers held for each other, their family bond strong. A bond that until her father’s death, she, too, believed she’d held with Fulke. A bond her brother had manipulated until he’d gained total control over his inheritance.
    Tired, weary of the deception surrounding her life, she focused on Seathan, on a man whom she’d come to admire. “You need to rest.”
    Grim appreciation shadowed Seathan’s face. “Duncan, meet Lady Linet.”
    An inquisitive blond brow arched with interest. Duncan took her hand, bowed, and kissed behind her knuckles. “My lady, the pleasure is mine.”
    His Grecian good looks and effortless grace assured her that many a woman had fallen to his easy charm. He seemed an approachable man, a trait not shared by his oldest brother. She glanced toward Seathan. Interest sparked in Lord Grey’s eyes as he watched her interaction with his brother. Irritated by his assessment, and the fact that he affected her so when Duncan’s magnetic presence and smooth manner had done naught, she withdrew her hand.
    “Lord Grey is gravely wounded,” she said, her tone cool, “though he would claim otherwise.”
    Seathan’s brothers immediately focused on him.
    “He has a deep gash in his left side,” Linet continued, “and bruises all over his body.”
    “Name the bastard,” Alexander spat.
    Linet flinched at the instant fury. Fulke deserved their wrath and more.
    “Lord Tearlach,” Seathan replied.
    Duncan’s eyes narrowed to ice. “I will slay his damnable heart.”
    “Not before I carve his arse,” Alexander stated. He nodded to Seathan. “Tell us