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.”
She nodded. “Aye, Alaric said as much.”
“Why is it important that I not do the killing, Mairin? ’Tis my right as laird and as your husband.”
“Because I feel at fault for provokrougm so. If he hadn’t struck me, you wouldn’t have ordered his death for striking Christina. Not that you wouldn’t have punished him,” she rushed to say.
