In Bed with a Highlander (McCabe Trilogy 1)

When Ewan reached Heath, he didn’t say a word. He drew back and rammed his fist into Heath’s face. Heath fell like a rock. He groaned piteously when Ewan gathered his shirt in his hands and hauled him back up again.

“That was for Christina,” Ewan snarled.

Then he rammed his knee right between Heath’s legs. Alaric and Caelen both winced. Gannon turned white and Cormac flinched and looked away.

“That was for my wife.”

He dropped Heath on the floor, where he promptly curled into a ball. Why, Mairin could swear the man was weeping.

“I’d be weeping, too, lass,” Alaric murmured.

Ewan turned and addressed Gannon in chilling tones. “He dies. Take him away.”

Heath blanched at the death sentence and began begging in hoarse tones. The assembled warriors winced and showed their disgust at the piteous way Heath behaved.

“Aye, Laird. Immediately.”

Gannon bent and hauled Heath to his feet, and he and Cormac dragged him from the hall, Heath still hunched over in pain.

Ewan then turned his attention to the celebrating and ren. “My apologies, Christina, that you suffered such injustice. I do not condone, nor will I accept such behavior from my men. Enjoy your free day from your duties. I doubt my men will do the job you would do in their stead, but the work will be done.”

Mairin’s heart swelled with pride. She was so thrilled by the sincerity in Ewan’s evenly voiced words that her eyes stung and watered. She gripped Caelen’s and Alaric’s arms until her knuckles turned white.

Caelen carefully pried her fingers from his elbow and then rolled his eyes when he noticed her tears. “What on earth are you crying for, lass?”

She sniffled and scrubbed her face against Alaric’s shirt sleeve. “ ’Tis a wonderful thing he’s done.”

Alaric pushed at her head and scowled until she stopped wiping her tears on him.

“He’s a good man,” she said.

“Of course he is,” Caelen said loyally.

Having settled the matter, Ewan walked over to where Mairin stood. Uncaring of how it looked or the fact that he hadn’t invited her this time, she launched herself around Alaric and Caelen and catapulted into Ewan’s arms. She peppered his face with a barrage of kisses and latched onto his neck and squeezed for all she was worth.

“Let me breathe, lass,” Ewan said with a laugh.

“I love you,” she whispered into his ear. “I love you so much.”

And suddenly he was squeezing her every bit as hard as she squeezed him. To her utter shock, he turned and hauled her out of the hall. He took the stairs two at a time and burst into their chamber just moments later.

After he kicked the door shut with his foot, he stared fiercely down at her, his grip so tight around her that she couldn’t squeeze out a single breath.

“What did you say?” he asked hoarsely.

Her eyes widened in surprise at his vehemence.

“Just a moment ago. In the hall. What did you say into my ear?”

She swallowed nervously and fidgeted in his arms. Then she gathered her courage as tightly around her as he held her. “I love you.”

“ ’Tis about damn time,” he growled.

She blinked in confusion. “ ’Tis about time for what?”

“The words. You finally said them.”

“But I only just realized,” she said in bewilderment.

“I knew it already,” he said with smug satisfaction.

“You did not. I didn’t even harw it, so how could you?”

He grinned. “So tell me, lass, how did you plan to spend your afternoon of leisure?”

“I don’t know,” she admitted. “Perhaps I’ll go find Crispen and play with him and the other children.”

Ewan shook his head.

“Nay?” she questioned.

“Nay.”

“Why?”

“Because I’ve decided that an afternoon of leisure sounds extremely appealing.”

Her eyes widened in astonishment. “You have?”

“Mmm-hmm. I wondered if perhaps you were willing to be leisurely with me.”

“ ’Tis a sin to be slothful,” she whispered.

“Aye, but what I have in mind has nothing to do with being a sloth.”

She blushed furiously at the suggestion in his voice. “You’ve never taken the afternoon off from your duties.”

“My most important duty is to see to the needs of my wife.” He cupped the area of her cheek where Heath had struck her, and his gaze darkened.

“Do you really mean to kill him, Ewan?” she whispered.

Ewan scowled. “He struck you. You are wife to the laird, mistress of this keep. I tolerate no disrespect and I damn sure will kill any man who ever touches you.”

Mairin twisted her hands, guilt surging through her. “I provoked him shamelessly. I called him terrible names. I used words no lady should ever use. Mother Serenity would wash my mouth out with soap.”

Ewan sighed. “What would you have me do, Mairin? He’s been a problem before today. He’d already used up his allotment of chances. Even if he hadn’t struck you, I would not tolerate him raising a hand to another woman in this clan.”

“Can you banish him? I would think that a man with no home and no means would suffer far more than if you offered him a quick and easy death. Maybe he’ll starve to death or a pack of wolves will descend upon him.”

Ewan reared back in surprise and then he laughed, the throaty sound sending prickles of delight down Mairin’s spine.

“You’re a bloodthirsty lass.”