Page 75 of Highland Jewel
“Stop. You are the devil.” Maisie laughed and shook her.
“You love me the way I am.”
“I do. But you don’t need to say everything that comes into your mind. A modicum of restraint can be a virtue.”
“So, you want me to be dull?”
“I don’t think that’s possible.” Maisie sighed. It was Morrigan’s spirits that had helped all of them get through the long weeks they’d been on the road. She was a master at bringing a smile to their lips at the most awkward moments. “And I don’t really want you to change.”
“Good.”
“But tomorrow, don’t ask me what happened. I’m told that the secrets of the marriage bed must remain there.”
“Who told you that?” Morrigan laughed. “It’s a lie.”
“And you’re an expert?”
“At this moment, yes. By tomorrow, maybe not.” She motioned with her head toward Niall. “But you’ve managed to distract me from my pregnancy question.”
“Why do you care?”
“I need to know where I should be nine months from now.”
“By then, you and I could very well be sharing the same cell.” No one knew their secret. Neither had any regret over the man who’d been killed in the alley behind the Infirmary Street house. Maisie knew they were both changed women after that day.
“You and I are too smart to be thrown in any cell.”
Morrigan knew how Maisie felt about the uncertainty of their future. She had to seize the day. Fight today like there was no tomorrow. For her causes, for her man, for her happiness.
“Perhaps, when this is all over, we can form a gang and become highwaymen.”
“Highwaywomen,” Morrigan corrected. “They’ll write ballads about us.”
“They’ll say we were quick and brave and lethal.” She patted Morrigan’s dress. “Wait, you have more than one knife in there.”
“I’ve made a friend of the blacksmith here in the castle. He made me a sgian dubh, and the tanner at the edge of the village is making me a sheath I can strap to my leg.”
“It was only a matter of time, I suppose.”
“I’m starting my own collection. I need to speak to someone about swords.”
“You want a sword, as well?”
“Of course. I need to protect the rout of wolf pups you and Niall are starting tonight.”
“I feel so much safer.”
Maisie espied Isabella visiting with Jean at one of the long tables. John Gordon was sitting beside his aunt, looking much like the man they’d traveled north with.This was the first time he’d come down to the Great Hall.
“Go,” Morrigan ordered. “There’s a handsome lieutenant over there making eyes at you.”
Maisie looked over her shoulder and found Niall waiting by the door.
“He’s looking restless. I’d hate for you two to embarrass me in front of these drunk Highlanders.”
“Embarrass? How?”
“Kissing him. He’ll be touching your buttocks and your breasts. You’ll be—”
