Page 28 of Her Accidental Highlander Husband

He let out a sigh and got out of bed before he spent too much time gazing at her lips. His body was already hard from just the fact it was morning. Staring at her lips would not ease that ache, for certain.

He left their room as quietly as possible and headed downstairs. After saddling his horse, he left the castle to check in with the perimeter guards to the west. He was almost happy to find them sleeping so he had a reason to vent some of his frustration.

“And what if I’d been the McCurdys? The castle wouldn’t have any warning of an attack.”

One guard leaped to his feet, rubbing his eyes. “The McCurdys wouldn’t attack us on one horse, but all the beasts they own. That many horses would have made the earth shake and we would have felt them coming.”

That only provoked him more.

“You know how else you might know an enemy is coming on you?” Cam demanded, then paused to see if they’d dare answer. “You could keep your bloody eyes open and watch for them! Which is why you’re out here in the first place.”

“All’s well, Cam. There’s no reason to worry.”

Cam could see as much, but he really wanted to yell at someone. Being stressed and frustrated with Mari would set them back even further in feeling comfortable with one another.

“Just stay awake,” he ordered gruffly and headed back to the castle.

Mari was sitting in the back of the hall with one of the women from the kitchen. Rather than speak to her in his current foul mood, he went to the head table where Lach was eating with Bryce and Liam.

He flopped down on the bench beside the laird, still muttering his displeasure with the guards, the weather, and the world in general.

“How are things with you and Mari?” Lach asked, nodding toward where she was laughing with her friends. “She seems happy enough. Why do you look ready to bust through the castle walls?”

“Aye, she seems happy. But she’s not. She’s terrified.”

“Of what?”

“Me.”

“You?” Lach looked to Bryce and Liam, who also looked confused. Three sets of eyes glared at him. “What did ye do to her?”

“I didn’t do anything to her, and you well know I never would. Wipe that look from your faces right now or I’ll help you do it.”

“My mistake for thinking you rough.” Lach rolled his eyes.

“I don’t know what to do with her. She goes along with everything I say. She doesn’t want to cause any trouble.”

“My, that sounds wretched.” Bryce smirked.

“It is. She’s afraid of me. Her late husband was a right bugger the way he treated her. She flinches and cowers whenever I come near her. I can’t stand it.”

“You need to push her until she pushes back,” Liam suggested. “Like a timid horse.”

All three men looked at the boy and laughed loudly at his suggestion.

“Have ye even kissed a lass yet?” Bryce teased.

Liam’s face and ears went red, and he scowled at them, then jumped up to go find another place to sit.

When their laughter faded, Cam rubbed his chin and shook his head. “It might not be a bad idea, at that.”

“I was just thinking the same,” Bryce agreed.

“If it works, I’ll have to apologize to the lad,” Cam admitted.

“If it works, I don’t think you’ll mind.” Bryce gave him a wink.

Nay. Cam wouldn’t mind at all.