wouldn’t want to aggravate your injury.”
Mairin shook off Maddie’s hand and turned back to the hall, only to run into Gannon.
“Now, my lady, you should be abed,” he said firmly.
“I’m fine,” she insisted. “Why, I don’t feel a bit of pain. Well, maybe a twinge or two,” she added when Cormac shot her a disbelieving look. “But ’tis no reason to stay in bed on such a fine day. I’ll even allow you to accompany me,” she said to both Gannon and Cormac.
“You’ll allow?” Gannon asked with a scowl.
She nodded and smiled serenely. “Aye, I will. I’ll be no trouble. You’ll see.”
“I’ll believe that when I see it,” Cormac muttered.
“Maddie, I’ve need of your assistance if you’re willing to give it.”
Maddie looked confused. “Of course I’ll help you, my lady, but I still think you should go above stairs and lie down. Perhaps you can tell me what it is you need assistance with, while you eat your meal in bed.”
Mairin faced them all down and let her displeasure show. “There is absolutely no reason for me to go to bed.”
“There is every reason, wife.”
Cormac’s and Gannon’s shoulders sagged in relief while Maddie let out a sigh. Mairin turned to see her husband standing behind her, a look of mild annoyance on his face.
“Why is it I can’t expect even the least bit of cooperation from you?”
Mairin’s mouth fell open. “That’s … That’s … well, that’s quite a rude thing to say, Laird. You’re implying I’m difficult. I’m not difficult.” She whirled back around to face the others. “Am I?”
Cormac looked like he’d swallowed a bug while Gannon found something on the wall to study. Maddie didn’t bother trying to be circumspect. She laughed outright.
“Why aren’t you in bed, Mairin?” Ewan asked.
She turned back around to face him. “I’m quite well. I’m feeling much more myself today. Well, except for the headache. What was it you made me drink?”
“Something to make you more amenable. I’m tempted to have Gertie prepare you another flask.”
She had no response to that.
“Come above stairs with me so I can redress your wound,” Ewan said, as he directed her toward the stairs. “But … but I was about to—”
Ewan propelled her up the steps. “Whatever it was you were about to do can wait until I’ve seen to your injury. If I’m satisfied that you’re truly well enough to be up and around, I’ll reconsider your confinement.”
“My confinement? That’s the most ridiculous—”
Ewan stopped and before she could finish her tirade, he planted his mouth over hers in a scorching, toe-curling kiss. It wasn’t a tender gesture. It was demanding … and passionate, and Lord, she didn’t want him to stop.
When he pulled away she had a hard time regaining her senses. They were … outside their chamber? She blinked as she tried to remember what brought them here.
“What was that you were saying, lass?”
Her brow furrowed. She opened her mouth then shut it again. “I don’t remember.”
He grinned and opened the door, pulling her inside the room. He started tugging at her dress and she batted his hands away.
“I won’t have you tearing another dress,” she muttered.
Ewan sighed. “I had Maddie repair your gown. It was an accident.”
Her eyes widened. “You had my dress sewn?”
His lips formed a thin line and he looked away, ignoring her question.
“Laird, you saw to the repair of my dress?”
“Of course not,” he said gruffly. “ ’Tis a woman’s matter. Men don’t concern themselves with women’s fripperies.”
Mairin smiled and then threw herself against Ewan’s chest before he could ward her off with his hand. “Thank you,” she said, as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
Ewan let out a deep breath and pulled her away from his body, his gaze reproachful. “Lass, when are you going to demonstrate some restraint? You’re going to upset your wound again, throwing yourself around like that.”
She smiled at his stern face and then leaned up and palmed his face between her hands. Then she pulled him down into a breathless kiss that had her panting and gasping for air within seconds.
She wasn’t sure who was more affected. She or he. His eyes glowed, and his nostrils flared as she rocked back onto her feet.
“I’m really quite well, Ewan,” she whispered. “Mother Serenity used to avow that God’s hand was ever guiding me because no matter how hard I fell or how badly I hurt myself, I always bounced back with amazing speed. My side pains me, aye, but not overly much. ’Tis more of a nuisance than a true pain. There’s no reason for me to stay in bed the entire day.”
“Remove your dress, Mairin. I’d like to see for myself how you’re healing.”
