Mari knew how important having a home was for making someone feel safe.
But that worked both ways.
There wasn’t a day that went by that she didn’t worry she was putting her new home and the people she loved at risk.
Chapter Twenty-One
Cam put Liam in charge of escorting Evelyn Stewart back to her clan lands. After a few days of rest, it was clear the lass was eager to get home. With Liam’s selected entourage and a letter from Lachlan, the group left at first light after hugs and well wishes.
Cam felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment when the girl hugged him and claimed him her hero. He didn’t feel like such.
When the group was on their way, he stayed Mari with his arm around her waist. “Will you go for a ride with me on this beautiful day?”
“Don’t you have drills?”
“Aye. I’ve put my men to their tasks. I can spare an hour.” He kissed her. “Or two.”
“I should get back to the kitchen to help.”
“The kitchen ran fine before you arrived. They’ll do so today.”
He waited for her next excuse, waiting to put it down with the others. His wife had been frightened, and since they’d returned that horrible night, she hadn’t stepped a foot outside the walls. He knew how easily fear could breed when it went unchecked. A warrior who was left to stew in the terror of battle quickly became lost to it. He didn’t want that for Mari.
He wanted her to feel safe on their lands. Ensuring her happiness was the reason he pushed when he saw her discomfort. It was not an easy thing to watch, but she needed him to be strong.
She grasped at another excuse. “It looks like it could rain.”
“There’s not a cloud in the blue sky. Now, either come with me to the stables or tell me the truth of why ye do not wish to take me up on my offer,” he challenged.
“I think it’s clear why I wouldn’t want to go out. I’m wanted by the crown for murder.”
At least that was a valid concern. Though easily dealt with.
“We’ve been out dozens of times since you arrived, without issue. We’ll be fine today as well. I’ve vowed to protect you. Unless you don’t find me up to the task…?”
She bit her bottom lip and looked toward the gate. “I’m scared,” she finally admitted.
“Aye. I don’t doubt it. But you’re also strong. You don’t back down from fear, you face it. I’ve seen you do it time and time again. Why is this different?”
“Because you were put in danger because of me,” she snapped, as if it had been on the tip of her tongue, eager to come out of her mouth for days.
He shrugged and winced up at the sun. “We could go round and round over who put who in danger, lass. But it would be a waste of a fine day.”
She let out a breath and nodded. “Very well. I’ll go with you.”
He bent to kiss her hard, then stepped away just as she melted into the kiss. With a wink he took her hand to lead her out to the stables. There would be plenty of time later to make sure they didn’t get too close. For now, he was going to enjoy the advantages of being married. Even if it was just for convenience. There was no reason they couldn’t make the best of the situation.
As soon as they left the protection of the curtain walls, Mari tensed. Her eyes shifted constantly, and he was sure she was watching for danger. She’d fallen behind his horse instead of riding next to him.
It was difficult to see her so nervous. “I can assure you the guards will not let anyone wander onto our lands again. They’ve been dealt with.” Not as severely as Cam had wanted, but he trusted Lach’s decision to be sound instead of the punishment of a man who’d nearly lost something precious because of their incompetence.
Cam led Mari in the opposite direction from the loch. He would take her back there at some point, but it didn’t need to be today. They would work through this slowly so as not to cause her more distress than necessary.
Stopping his horse, he waited for her to come up beside him, then leaned closer in his saddle.
“When I’m in battle, I always have a man riding beside me,” he explained. “The two of us side by side are safer because it means we only have to protect one side. Each is guarded at all times by the other warrior.”
She bit her lip, thinking over his words. “I’m not a warrior. I can’t protect your side.”
“And I can’t protect you at all if you’re behind me where I canna see.”
“Very well. I’ll stay at your side. At least I can call out so you’re prepared if we are ambushed.”
He smiled. “Aye. That would be a great help.” He kept her talking, sharing other tricks to defend oneself in battle.
Slowly she relaxed and stopped looking over her shoulder constantly.
He took her to a cliff that looked out over a valley. It was one of his favorite spots, for he could see in every direction. They got down from their horses to take in the view.
“This is the safest place on MacKinlay lands, save for behind the walls of Dunardry,” he pointed out as she spun in a circle.
“No one can sneak up on you here,” she observed.
“That’s right. And if armed with a bow, you can easily pick off anyone who might try to advance on you.”
“We don’t have a bow.”
“No. Someday, I’ll show you how to shoot one. Or mayhap Kenna will do it when she’s not bulging with child.” He winked. “For today, you’ll have this.” He reached for the sheath at his waist and pulled out a jeweled dagger.
She gasped and covered her mouth rather
