Page 37 of When A Laird Loves A Lady
Iain followed Archibald, Angus, and Rory Mac down along steep path toward the sea. Neil had gone with the MacLean men to see theirhealer and then find a place to rest. Iain had purposely slowed his pace as themen talked ahead of him. He listened to the steady sound of his feet againstthesteps,the hum of the water in the distance, and the underlying whistle of the windblowing into his face.
If the occasional sound of a man’svoice didn’t invade his thoughts, he would have forgotten they were there. Allhe could see in his mind were Marion’s hips gently swaying as she departed withBridgette. She was going to drive him to madness with the seductive way herbody moved. Did she mean to entice him? With the pinched look that had comeover her when he’d told Bridgette to give Marion her own chamber, he halfwondered if she had wanted to sleep with him in his bed.
The very thought of holding heragain made him throb with need. If she wanted to be in his bed tonight, and shewasn’t too sore, he certainly would oblige. He’d have to find time to get heralone and try to figure out how she felt, as well as to explain that he’d notmeant to reveal that he’d only married her to secure David’s freedom.Bridgette’s comment about him marrying again had filled him with guilt, andhe’d blurted it out, which was unforgivable and mindless. Marion had hauntedhis dreams last night instead of Catriona, and he woke today consumed bythoughts of his new bride. Her bright smile and quick wit. Her bravery in herdesire to defend him and the strange way she thought to give coin to the churchto reduce the consequences of his sins.
He liked it, and her, very much. Somuch it bothered him. He’d sworn never to forget Catriona. He couldn’t allowMarion to do that, yet she was his wife now. Before he could think on thematter any further, they arrived at the water. Alex stood with his back tothem, but he turned at their approach, his hearing sharp as ever.
A broad smile spread over his facewhen he saw Iain. “MacLeod! Rory Mac!” Alex strode toward them and clasped RoryMac on the shoulder and then did the same to Iain. “I was nae expecting ye butam glad ye’re here. I could use yer counsel.”
Iain quickly presented Angus andthen asked, “For what do ye need our counsel?”
A distinctly wary look came overAlex, and he slanted his gaze toward Archibald and Angus, who had stepped asidewhen Alex had approached them. “We can talk about my problem in a minute. Whatbrings ye to my home?”
“I am coming back from England andneeded to warn ye of something.”
“England?” Alex said, his facepinching. “Why would ye want to go there?”
“I did nae want to but wascompelled to do so. David sent word that he needed my help.”
Alex nodded. “In being returned toScotland? I am guessing that’s why ye were summoned.”
“It was. He asked me to take a wifeto aid in the cause of getting King Edward to speak of David’s release.”
“A wife? Ye took a wife?” Alexasked with a significant lifting of his brows.
Iain nodded.
“From which clan?”
“She’s English. Well, partly. She’sthe daughter of Baron de Lacy, but she’s the niece of the MacDonald.”
Astonishment wiped the smile fromAlex’s lips. “A devil’s bargain, then?”
Iain heard Angus shifting behindhim, as if readying to lunge for the MacLean. Iain didn’t like referring toMarion as part of a devil’s bargain, but neither did he want to discuss hiswife in front of Archibald. “Something like that,” he replied.
Alex turned abruptly towardArchibald. “Why are ye all still standing here? Do ye nae have training withthe men that can be started without me? Must I be there to oversee ye, Archibald?If I must, then ye nay longer shall be on the council.”
Iain had not expected the news ofArchibald’s status, given the younger man’s troubles with taking orders in thepast, but considering that Archibald was Alex’s only male relative, Iainunderstood that Alex wanted to ready Archibald to become laird if Alex died.Iain surveyed Archibald for his reaction. Typical of a reckless man, he wasopenly scowling rather than controlling his reaction.
“Ye ken ye dunnae, Alex,” Archibaldsnapped. “I thought ye may have need of me here.”
“I dunnae—”
“Ye may,” Iain interrupted. “Who’syer best tracker?”
“Of man or beast?” Alex asked.
“Man,” Iain replied, not botheringto hide the worry he felt.
Alex tilted his head towardArchibald. “He is.”
“Then send him out now with somemen to verify that the area around yer castle is safe.”
Alex cocked up an eyebrow. “And whowould dare enter my lands who’s nae welcome?”
“Froste,” Iain replied, knowing heneed not explain who Froste was because Alex knew of the knight fromtournaments, as well.
“Froste? Why?” Alex inquired, hisvoice tight now.
