The next morning after breakfast, Sarah settled into a comfortable chair and resumed her sewing. As she worked, she kept thinking about the previous night. The way Brian had taunted and tormented her, purposefully provoking her was so different than other times when he had been sweet, tender and caring. She couldn't figure out which side of him was the real Brian. She was finishing the last set of curtains when Liam walked in the door.
"I ripped my breeches," he said with a grimace. There was a long tear on the outside of his thigh.
"Did you cut yourself?" Sarah asked, setting her sewing aside.
"No, I just caught the cloth on a nail," he said, walking toward his room. "I came to change clothes."
"Bring the torn ones to me, and I'll mend them for you," she called after him.
When Liam returned, he handed her the torn breeches with a smile. "Thanks, Sarah. I'm no good with a needle and thread."
"I don't mind at all," she said, returning his smile.
Liam noticed something in her expression, and he tilted his head to one side, studying her. "Are you alright? You look a bit bothered."
Sarah laughed to ease his concern. "I'm fine. I was just thinking about Brian." A delicate blush colored her cheeks when she saw Liam's grin. "I can't quite decide whether he's a devil or a saint."
Liam laughed outright, shaking his head. "You'll never be able to decide that, Sarah. Brian's definitely a bit of both."
"Tell me about him," she said. "What was he like when you were growing up?"
"Hmmm," Liam said, sitting in the other chair. "Brian has always been a free spirit. It's nearly impossible to pin him down or make him do what he doesn't want to do. He's always had a wild streak a mile wide, as Pa would say. He used to do things on purpose, things he knew were going to get him into trouble. I could swear sometimes, he liked to provoke Pa's temper just to prove he could. And he did the same with me and Aidan, still does as a matter of fact. He will pick and prod until we jump on him, punching and yelling. Then, he just laughs because he made us so mad."
"That sounds like Brian," Sarah said ruefully, thinking about how he had provoked her temper by calling her crude names.
"Mama used to say he did it because he needed to release his pent up feelings. He's never been too good at expressing his feelings. I think Mama always understood him better than anyone. She used to tell Pa that Brian had no choice but to be naughty sometimes. She said that even if it wasn't in his nature, being the middle child, it was the only way he could get the attention he needed."
"What do you mean?" Sarah asked with a frown.
Liam shrugged. "Aidan was always so responsible and good, he never had any trouble winning our parents' approval and praise." Liam gave her a conspiratorial wink, "And of course, I got my share of attention because I was the baby. I guess Brian must have felt like he could never compete with his brothers, so he might as well do whatever he wanted and to hell with the consequences. His devil-may-care attitude got him into plenty of hot water with Pa over the years."
"Do you think he resents you and Aidan?" Sarah asked quietly.
Liam laughed at the suggestion. "No. He thinks the world of both of us. That cabin we built for Aidan was Brian's idea. He wanted to surprise our brother." Liam smiled at her. "Brian is a romantic at heart, although he doesn't like others to know it. In fact, he'll tease and torment you, drive you crazy with anger just to cover up his softer emotions."
"Hmmm," Sarah said with a thoughtful frown, "I can easily believe that."
Liam looked at her and smiled. "Still, whenever I'm in trouble, there's no one I'd rather have beside me than Brian."
"So you trust him?" Sarah asked.
"I'd trust Brian with anything, whether it was my most prized possession or my life. He can't stand to see anyone hurt. In fact, when we were boys, I remember one time in particular. Brian took the blame for something I had done, and Pa took him outside to tan his backside. I confessed to Mama and asked her to make Pa stop. I remember she just shook her head and sighed. She said I should leave it alone, that Brian would rather take a whipping himself than to see me get one."
"That doesn't sound very fair," Sarah said. "Did that happen often?"
"No," Liam said, shaking his head with a grimace. "I learned a hard lesson that day, watching Brian get spanked and knowing I was to blame. I never let that happen again."
"Sounds like you love Brian as much as he loves you," Sarah said with a soft smile.
"It's impossible not to love Brian. He can be maddening, always playing wicked pranks and then laughing at you when you fall for them. But underneath, he has the most loyal and kind heart. If you've given him your heart, you can trust that he will never break it. He'll do everything in his power to keep you safe and happy." He gave Sarah a grin. "Does that ease your mind?"
Sarah blushed again, realizing that Liam knew more about her feelings for Brian than she had thought. "Yes it does. Thank you, Liam."
"My pleasure," Liam said as he rose from the chair. He went to the door and paused, sending her one more grin. "Oh and by the way, there's one more thing you should know about Brian. He only torments the people he loves the most. If he's been driving you crazy, you can be assured that he truly cares about you."
"That's not very comforting," Sarah said with a laugh.
"Mama always told Pa that the right woman would bring him to heel someday. I'm convinced you're the one she had in mind."
Liam left before Sarah could answer, and she sank back against the chair with a sigh. She thought about everything he had told her, replaying Brian's actions in her mind. She began to see him in an entirely different light. He had the devil's handsome looks, and he certainly had the devil's charm. Sarah smiled secretively as she nibbled on her fingertips. Still, she knew he would always love his angel, even if he did like to singe her wings.
********
Brian gave Liam a questioning glance as he drove the last nail into a window frame. "What took you so long?" he asked, stepping back to inspect his work.
"I was just talking with Sarah," Liam said. He flashed his brother a grin. "She was asking about you. I got the impression you've been up to your usual tricks, tormenting the poor girl in some way or other. Seems she can't decide what to think about you."
Brian frowned thoughtfully. He had gone pretty far with teasing Sarah. The sight of her, so outraged and furious, had only made him want to provoke her more. She had looked so damned beautiful, he just hadn't been able to stop himself. He hoped he hadn't really hurt her feelings.
"Did she seem upset?" Brian asked carefully.
Liam shrugged. "Not really. I think she just wanted to know that you aren't going to hurt her."