Page 37 of Her Accidental Highlander Husband

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“I truly did fall. Cameron didn’t do this on purpose,” Mari repeated. Again. She’d told the women the story as soon as her husband left.

They all looked at one another and nodded.

“Of course we know Cam didn’t do this,” Kenna said while stirring the foul-smelling brew. “He would never hurt a woman. He’s a wreck because you’re hurt and feels responsible, which he should—how careless to leave his boots lying about!—but he’s a man who would sooner die than cause his woman harm.”

Mari knew this in her heart, but the duke had also seemed peaceable in public though truly was not. Sometimes people acted one way when around others and another in private.

She’d only been in the kitchen a little while when Cameron stuck his head in again. “Are you well?”

“Yes. I feel better now that Kenna forced this sorry excuse for tea down my throat.” She and Kenna shared a smile.

“You’re not in pain.”

“Not much.” She thought her answer would appease him, but he frowned and rubbed his forehead. “Really, not at all,” she amended, hoping it would soothe the sorrowful look from his face. When it didn’t help, she gave him a smile.

From the strained look on his face, her smile must not have been all that reassuring. When she felt the trickle of blood from the opened wound, she understood. She was a mess.

“It’s not your fault,” she offered.

Espath harrumphed. “Mayhap next time you won’t leave your boots lying about so someone might fall over them,” she scolded him.

With a groan and another apology, he backed away and left the kitchen.

“I don’t know what he’s about. Normally he’s a very tidy man.” Kenna shook her head and went back to her ministrations with Mari’s ankle.

“You shouldn’t be working,” Mari said, watching the door. There would be trouble if Lachlan came in and saw Kenna bending over her ankle.

“You do remember I have two wee boys already who keep me moving all day? I’m glad for this small rest. I love them dearly, but all their energy… They get it by draining other people, I think.”

They laughed together.

“Try walking on it now,” Kenna ordered.

Mari took a step and then another. She nodded. “I wouldn’t want to walk for miles, but it’s not so bad now. Thank you.”

Kenna gave a pleased smile. “Good.”

“I’ll try my best not to limp in front of Cameron. I don’t want to pile more guilt upon him.”

Kenna’s eyes went wide. “Are ye mad? You’re in the perfect position to get whatever your heart desires. He’s so guilt-ridden he’d likely do anything for you.”

“Anything?” Mari wondered with a raised brow…though more to herself.

“Well, perhaps not that. Men have a funny idea that they will hurt you worse if they give in to their randy ways. They think us fragile and breakable.”

“Anyway, I wouldn’t want him to do…that…simply because he felt guilty.”

Kenna chuckled. “I’m sure it would be no hardship for him. You should give it a try.”

For the rest of the day, it seemed Cameron avoided her. Twice she’d seen him come into the hall, and both times as soon as he saw her he turned and left again.

Was he repulsed by her injuries? A shiver of fear went down her spine at the memory of her late husband looking on her with disgust. She swallowed down her unease.

Cameron was nothing like Endsmere. He was kind and gentle.

Thanks to Kenna’s suggestion, Mari had been thinking of the things she might ask for, now that Cameron was pliable to her wishes.