Page 91 of Her Accidental Highlander Husband

“Good evening, sir. May I help you?” The man was quite small, despite being full grown. His look of unease at the sight of him made Cam feel slightly better.

“I’m here to see Mari.”

The man took him in from foot to forehead, then shook his head. “I’m afraid there is no one here by that name.” He began to shut the door.

Cam threw out an arm to stop him. “Wait. I meant the duchess. Marian.”

The man’s eyes took him in again, hovering at Cam’s dusty kilt. “I’m sure you can’t expect to be let in…”

“Of course not.” Cam frowned. “Will you go check with your mistress and see if she’ll allow me to enter?”

The fact the man hadn’t said she was dead gave Cam a feeling of hope he hadn’t felt since he’d arrived home from his false errand with the McCurdy.

“Do you have a card?” the man asked.

“I’m afraid I do not. You’ll just have to tell her my name.”

“Which is?” The man’s nose went into the air.

“Cameron MacKinlay. War chief of Clan MacKinlay. Her Grace’s husband.”

The man swallowed before closing the door, which remained firmly shut for a few minutes. Cam was about to reach for the bloody knocker again when the door whipped open and Mari launched herself into his arms.

It was like that day in the field, except now he knew how precious she was. As on that day, she clung to him as if the hounds of hell were yapping and snapping at her bare feet. But instead of fear, she cried and showered Cam with kisses.

He set her down so he could look at her and wipe the tears from her eyes, and he nearly collapsed in relief right there on the front step.

“Please, Your Grace,” the skinny butler urged. “Come inside so the door can be closed. We wouldn’t want the neighbors to witness your reunion.”

Mari laughed and allowed the man to pull them inside and close the door.

“You’re alive,” Cam whispered, and kissed her again. A medley of feelings rushed through him. He’d been numb since he’d heard the news of her surrender, but suddenly he was able to feel again.

At least for now.

…

As much as Mari had not wanted Cam to be there when she turned herself in, she was grateful for his presence now. She had gained a reprieve until she gave birth, and she could think of no one she’d rather spend her gift of time with. She had missed him so much.

“We must speak. In private,” he said when he released her from the kiss. He eyed the butler, who was attempting not to stare at them and failing.

Mari knew what would happen when they were alone. Cam’s happiness to find her alive simmered with an undercurrent of anger. He was very angry with her for leaving him. Maybe it was the house and the horrible memories that lurked in nearly every room, but she shivered as she nodded and led him to the parlor and closed the door.

Lucy’s eyes went wide when she and Cam entered. “Should I stay, Your Grace?” the maid asked.

“No. That isn’t necessary. Please excuse us. I’ll make introductions later.”

When Lucy was gone, Mari turned to Cam with her best smile. “You must be famished. Let me order a tray of food.”

“I’m near starved, but I don’t want food this minute. As I said, we need to talk.”

Mari nodded and let her gaze drift to the floor.

“Look at me,” he ordered. “I thought to find ye dead. The least you can do is look me in the eye for the hell you put me through.”

She met his gaze to see his whisky-colored eyes shimmering with tears. It was enough to bring her own as she reached for him.

Instead of allowing her to touch him or take her in his arms again, he held her wrists, keeping her apart from him. “Why? Why would you have made a plan that dinna include me?”