Page 53 of Her Accidental Highlander Husband

With the girl tended to, Cam took Mari’s hand and led her to their own chamber. They said nothing as they disrobed, tossing their ruined clothes in a heap on the floor.

Mari moved for their bed, but he stayed her by taking her wrist and gently tugging her to him.

“Are you well?”

“If you’re asking if you’ll be awakened by my nightmares, I can’t say you won’t.” She offered him a strained smile, and he admired her all the more for the strength it took to keep it there.

“I’ll hold you extra tight tonight to protect you from your bad dreams.”

They settled into bed, her chilled skin against his heated flesh.

“Rest now, wife. Know that ye are safe. I’ll postpone my scouting trip.”

“I’m sorry you won’t be able to go,” Mari said quietly.

“Are you sorry?” he asked, moving away so he could look down into her face.

“Nay, not even a little bit,” she said.

He kissed her and reveled in the feel of her heart thumping against his chest and her breath on his neck.

He could have lost her tonight. The thought of it caused a twinge in his chest. Only his hand on her warm skin chased off the fear of what could have happened. The heat of her skin was proof she was alive.

…

Despite her predictions of nightmares, Mari woke fully rested. She hadn’t even moved away from Cameron, she’d slept so soundly.

Cam was awake, his eyes focused on the ceiling above them. When she kissed his chest, he turned to look at her.

“What is it?” she asked, noticing the shadows in his eyes.

“Those men never should have been on our lands. I need to take my guard to task for it this morning. It’s my duty to punish them for putting the clan at risk, but I fear I may not be able to be fair, as angry as I am.”

“Then you should ask Lachlan to do it for you. Or wait until you are calmer.”

He nodded, and she wasn’t sure which of those options he was agreeing to. She respected him all the more for seeing he was not able to maintain control of his rage and spare his men.

“I’d like to go see to our guest,” she said, eager to help the girl in some way. Mari had seen the terror in Evelyn’s eyes and knew what that felt like.

Another nod, and Cam rolled out of bed. Before he stood, she shifted behind him, wrapping her arms around him and kissing his shoulder, then his neck. “Please tell me you don’t still feel guilty about what happened.”

“I canna tell you that, for I promised I’d not lie to you.”

She twisted until she was sitting on his lap. “If you’d walked me back to the castle last night, those men wouldn’t have been found, and Evelyn would still be with them. For whatever momentary discomfort and panic I felt, I’m glad for it so we were able to save her from what I assume was a horrendous ordeal.”

He gave a nod and pulled her close. “You are a good woman.”

She smiled at his praise, happy to have him here instead of leaving for a scouting trip.

Outside their room, Cam kissed her again. “I’m going to deal with my men. See if you can get the lass to give you her clan’s name so we can deliver her home, if that’s where she wishes to go.”

Mari nodded and went to join Evelyn and Kenna in the solar. As expected, the mistress of the castle was fussing over the poor girl. A new gown had been brought in, and two maids were tending to the girl’s hair. It was clear Evelyn wanted no part of it.

“Kenna? A word, please?”

Kenna waddled out to the hall and closed the door. “The poor dear. You found her with nothing to wear?”

“No. She was wearing but a shift when we met. She was in the company of five beastly men who tried to attack me. It was clear she had been at their mercy for some time.”