Her Accidental Highlander Husband (MacKinlay Clan)

by Allison B Hanson

  Maybe this marriage would work out, after all.

  …

  Cam wasn’t sure if Mari truly wanted to talk, but he knew it was the only chance they had to better know one another. He went first, telling her stories of his youth. She laughed and gasped at the appropriate parts of his tales.

  He made sure to tell the humiliating ones as much as the flattering ones so as not to make her think he was prideful. Besides, he might have run out of stories if he’d only told the favorable ones.

  Occasionally she fell silent, and he thought she might have finally drifted off, but when he was quiet for too long, she would ask a question to get him talking again.

  She fell asleep after what felt like hours. Her hand went slack in his and her breathing evened out. He lay there a while longer, drawing in the scent of her and stroking the soft skin of her hand with his thumb. She was so small, he worried of rolling over and smothering her.

  Before that worry got too far developed, the lass shifted right up against him until he had no room to move. Her face pressed against his shoulder, where her warm breath feathered across his neck. Her knee slid over his thigh, resting inches away from his stirring cock.

  Good God. How would he ever find sleep like this? With his wife entwined around him like vines on rocks?

  She hadn’t shared much of herself. She’d told a few stories he already knew from hearing Kenna’s tales. Though it was interesting hearing them from Mari’s perspective.

  His new wife was not as reckless as Kenna. She’d been worried anew to tell the account of Kenna standing on her horse’s back. Her indulgent laughter spoke of her love for her younger sister. In that moment, Cam had thought she’d make a wonderful mother.

  Not that he hoped for such a thing.

  Earlier in the day he’d planned not to bed her so he’d not get her with child. But then she’d come to the meal all cleaned up and looking like an angel, and he’d felt his body respond.

  As it was doing now.

  Damn. He’d need to be stronger.

  He was a war chief, in control at all times.

  Instead of remembering her soft curves pressed against him, or her warm breath, he thought of drills with his warriors.

  Now that he was wed to someone who wasn’t a McCurdy, he had a chance to convince Lach into a takeover. If the laird allowed him to go to other clans to recruit more men, he’d have a large enough army to guarantee success. There was still time for them to get things in place before the McCurdy found out their alliance was over. The man would see Cam’s marriage as an insult.

  While Cam had never met Dorie McCurdy, he had made arrangements to take her to wife. But instead he’d married a total stranger. Mari.

  Mari snuggled closer against him and made a soft sound that roused him once more.

  Despite his discomfort, he must have managed to fall asleep, because he woke in his bed.

  His room was empty, and for a moment it was easy to believe everything from the day before had been a dream. Except his bed still smelled of Mari.

  She was real. And she’d just slipped out the door.

  He dressed quickly and hurried to catch her. When he got to the corridor, he found her hovering by the stairs. He stepped closer and understood what had caused her to pause. Lachlan and Kenna were arguing in quiet hisses.

  “I’m just saying I have a responsibility to keep the clan safe, and your sister being here may bring down a battle with the bloody English.”

  “She is my sister. You canna turn her out. She has nowhere else to go.”

  “We can give her funds.”

  “Funds are not the same as having a home and family.”

  “I’m merely considering all of our options.”

  “Well, you can discard any options that end with sending Marian away. I’ll not have it, Lachlan MacKinlay. If you put her out, I’m going with her. And I’m taking my boys with me.”

  “They are our boys, and you’re not going anywhere. We’ll come up with something everyone can agree on.” With that, they quieted, and he heard their footsteps move farther away.

  Mari looked mutely up at Cam with sad eyes.

  “Don’t worry. Kenna always gets what she wants in the end. Lach likes to play the one in charge, but he’s happily wrapped around his wife’s little finger.”

  “He’s not wrong. I could be bringing great danger to the clan.”

  Of course Cam knew this, but he wouldn’t allow the thought to take root. Mari was his wife now, which meant he had a duty to keep her safe and give her a happy life. He didn’t know the unpleasant details of her former marriage, but he knew she deserved better than whatever she’d been through.

  No duchess would up and decide to kill her husband and run off to the wilds of Scotland alone unless she had no other choice.

  “Shh. Don’t even think it,” he soothed. “If the worst were to happen, I would keep ye safe. You’re my wife now, and I protect what’s mine.”

  When she frowned and looked away, he thought maybe she didn’t want to be his. She hadn’t chosen to be his. He hadn’t asked her thoughts on the matter. Neither of them had a choice, so it seemed like a waste of time to discuss it.

  He let it go and escorted her down for the morning meal. Kenna and Lach were still unhappy and silent when they got to the head table.

  Mari slipped her hand from Cam’s. “Please excuse me. I need a moment,” she whispered, and left before he had the chance to stop her.

  Chapter Seven

  Cam hesitated, unsure if he should go after Mari or not. She’d asked for a moment and it seemed rude not to give it to her.

  He wasn’t the most knowledgeable of men when it came to a woman’s feelings. He knew how to please them in bed, and how to make them laugh. But the serious things… He’d never had much occasion to know such things. But now he had reason. He had a wife, and she was upset over what his clod-headed cousin had said in her hearing.

  That being the case, it should be his cousin who should fix things.

  “What’s wrong with Marian?” Kenna asked before Cam reached the table.

  He pointed at Lach. “He’s what’s wrong with Mari. She heard the two of you arguing on the steps and she knows he wants to send her away. Could ye not have such discussions in your chamber so she’d not hear your stupid plans? Not that you’d get very far with such a strategy. If Kenna hadn’t already ended the notion, I surely would have.”

  “I’m the laird. Why doesn’t anyone listen to me?” Lach complained. When Kenna tilted her head expectantly, he let out a sigh and tossed his bannock on the plate. “Fine. I’ll see to her and make sure she knows she’s welcome.” He continued to grumble under his breath as he passed by Cam to leave the hall.

  “Know this, laird. If you make my wife cry, I’ll hurt ye during drills today.” It was no empty threat. He enjoyed making his cousin work for it. The man had been a soldier for years, fighting for the French in Spain. Lach certainly knew how to evade and attack, but Cam gave him a good show.

  When Lach was out the door, Cam took his seat. A serving maid brought him his food, smiling attentively. A day or so ago he might have winked and stirred up a conversation. But instead, he offered a brittle smile and turned his attention to the woman sitting next to him.

  “Thank you,” Kenna said.

  “For what?”

  “For protecting my sister.”

  “Your sister is my wife. Had ye expected I’d not keep her safe?”

  Kenna smiled. “Nay. I ken you have a good heart. It’s just nice to see there’s a chance for more.”

  Cam wished he hadn’t just taken a sip of ale, because his surprise had him spitting it out across the table. “More?” he choked. “What do you mean by more? Surely you don’t mean love, Kenna MacKinlay.”

  “You’d be surprised how love can sneak up on people
.”

  “It can’t sneak up on me. I’m watchful and have a large sword.”

  Kenna only laughed louder. “We’ll see.”

  “No, we won’t see. I don’t want it. I can’t do it. You know why it’s not for men such as me. I’ve spoken to you about these things in the past.”

  “You mean the part about how war chiefs don’t deserve love?”

  “I dinna say they didn’t deserve it. I said it was too risky. Both parties could be hurt.”

  “We all carry scars from our upbringing. I still worry I’ll never be good enough.” When Cam snorted his disbelief, she shrugged. “It’s hard to convince someone of something they’ve been told for a long time. For you, it’s clear you don’t want to leave a family behind as your da left you and your mother, but are ye willing to give up on happiness on merely the chance it could happen to you the same way?”

  “A chance? I’d say it’s more than a chance, given my duty. And I’d rather not have to think about the people I could leave behind when I draw my sword in battle.”

  “That’s ridiculous. You think of all of us when you go to battle. Otherwise, why would you bother? The people you love in this castle are the reason you are able to fight. Knowing we need you makes you fight harder. It makes you stronger.”

  “Mayhap. But it’s different, I think, with a family. I fear I’d be distracted with making sure I didn’t get hurt so not to leave them.”

  “Cameron Michael Callum MacKinlay, you’d best always make sure you don’t get hurt, no matter if ye have a family of your own or not. There are many people here who would miss ye if you didn’t come back.”

  “Aye. I do make sure.” It wasn’t something he could explain to Kenna. She wasn’t a husband. She didn’t know the responsibilities a man faced.

  He could provide for Mari without engaging his heart. He wasn’t in love.

  And he’d make sure he stayed that way.

  …

  Marian had made it to the stables and was trying to reason with the surliest groom she’d ever met over a horse when Lachlan stepped in.

  “What’s going on here?” he asked. His voice—dripping with authority—gave her a chill.

  She might have tried to steer the story from the truth if the curmudgeon holding the reins hadn’t spoken up first.

  “She asked for a horse, my laird, but couldn’t say that she’d be able to bring it back.”

  “And what need do you have for a horse, sister?”

  Sister? She laughed at his feeble attempt to win her over. Straightening her spine, she looked at a spot over his left shoulder. Making eye contact with men had become impossible in recent years. Except for Cameron. Even in this short time, she felt safe enough to look into her husband’s honey-brown eyes. The way they seemed to warm over when he smiled gave her courage.

  It was yet another reason she should go. She was too comfortable with him. She couldn’t let down her guard. Men watched for such things and struck when a woman was unprepared.

  She’d been wrong to come here. It was wonderful to see Kenna again and know her younger sister held no ill will. But this wasn’t her home.

  A pull of sadness twisted in her stomach. She had wanted Dunardry to be her home and her refuge. And she wished she had time to get to know Cameron better. For she had liked the feel of his arms around her last night. But it was best to deal with things at once and get on her way.

  “I understand you wish I wasn’t here. So I planned to take a horse and go.”

  “Just like that. In the dress you’re wearing. No food. No money.”

  She looked away. “I made it from London to here with less. At least I’m wearing shoes.”

  She hated the tear that betrayed her by falling down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away, but a few other tears joined their leader.

  “I’m the laird—”

  “As you keep repeating. I’m sure you’re aware I used to be a duchess. And I can tell you, titles don’t mean a damn thing when all is said and done. A duchess can wander the countryside with no shoes, and a laird—” Can be an arse, she finished silently, not wanting to anger him.

  With that, she turned toward the gate. If he wouldn’t allow her to take a horse, she’d leave on foot. She didn’t know where she’d go, but she didn’t want to lure the English to the MacKinlay clan.

  Lachlan was justified in sending her away. He was responsible for the safety of his people. Harboring a fugitive of the crown was counterproductive to his duty.

  “Marian, I’m sorry. Please stay,” he said when he caught up to her.

  “Ridley knows I’m here. It will only be a matter of time before he returns with soldiers. He won’t leave without me. There’s a price on my head.”

  Lachlan nodded and let out a breath. “My wife and children live within these walls. I’ll not endanger them. But you are my sister by marriage, which makes you my family as well. I have a duty to you, and I canna protect you if you leave the castle. So you’ll stay, and we’ll come up with a plan if Ridley returns.” When she didn’t move in the direction of the hall, he added, “Please.”

  If he thought she was simply being dramatic, he was wrong. She wouldn’t put herself through the trouble of such theatrics for no good reason.

  “I’ll not cause you to live in fear of an English attack because you helped me.”

  “There are worse things to fear if you leave,” he said with a grimace, placing a hand on her arm. He didn’t grasp or pull, but still the contact made her flinch away. He released her quickly, his brows pulling together.

  Surely Kenna had shared the reason she’d killed the duke. To her surprise, the laird didn’t look on her in pity. Instead, he lowered his hand slowly and let out a breath. “Please, stay.”

  Marian nodded and let him lead her back to the hall. She paused and turned to him, offering a half smile when she realized what worse fears he had referred to. “You’re afraid of Kenna.”

  “When it comes to my wife losing the sister she’s just gotten back, aye, I am.” He winked at her. “God and all the saints help me if I turned ye away.”

  When they returned to the hall, she sat next to Cameron. He took her hand and gave it a squeeze under the table.

  “Everything well?”

  “Yes. Thank you,” Marian offered, though it wasn’t exactly true. Things were fine for now. But she did need a plan for when Ridley returned.

  Lachlan thought it his job to protect the clan, but in this, she was the one who would need to save everyone when the time came.

  Chapter Eight

  Marian spent the day with Kenna talking about their childhood days and laughing. As the afternoon drew out, they turned to other topics.

  “How was your first night in the castle? Did you sleep well?”

  Marian could tell by Kenna’s sly smile she was asking a quite different question than the one she’d voiced.

  “I did sleep well. Thank you for asking.”

  “Can you not take a hint?” Kenna lifted her hands and let them fall to her lap.

  Marian burst out laughing as she recalled how impetuous her sister was. Kenna’s laughter joined in, and it felt like old times.

  “I’ve missed you,” Marian said sincerely.

  “I’ve missed you, as well, but I have to say, despite your struggles to get here, I like that we know each other better now. We seem to have grown out of our differences.”

  “You mean that you don’t spend your days swinging from the trees, and I’m not as focused on sitting properly and speaking without a brogue?”

  “We’re on more common ground,” Kenna agreed.

  “Aye.” Marian let the Scot word slip from her tongue, causing them to laugh again.

  Eventually their discussion turned to their husbands. She knew Kenna was trying to tell if Marian was satisfied by Lachlan’s apo
logy.

  “I understand his position as laird,” Marian said honestly. “I’d not think poorly of him for doing what is right for Clan MacKinlay.”

  “You make it sound as if you’re not part of the clan.”

  She nodded. “My being a MacKinlay is born of a complication, not a choice by either party.”

  “Perhaps, but I dare say ye may have found yourself in this position at some point anyway.”

  Marian tilted her head in question, taking in Kenna’s wry smile.

  “Cam favors you. It’s clear to see. And I’m still waiting to hear what happened last night. Don’t you think you’ve made me wait long enough?”

  Marian shook her head. “I’m afraid you’ve waited in vain, for the story is less than scandalous.”

  “Go on.”

  Marian explained how he’d started out on the floor. “When I woke from a nightmare, he helped me into a dry garment—”

  “And ravished ye?” Kenna asked hopefully.

  “No,” Marian confessed. “But he did sleep next to me. Only to offer comfort,” she added quickly when Kenna’s eyes lit up.

  “It’s good for now. It won’t be long before the two of you are comfortable enough for more to blossom between you,” Kenna predicted.

  Marian wasn’t so sure. Even if she did find Cameron attractive, he was a man. And men were too unpredictable.

  “I know you find him daunting. It’s true he is a large man, but he has a heart to match. He’d never hurt someone who did not deserve it. He has a tender soul.”

  Marian had seen evidence of that already. Yet she also remembered how charming the duke had been before she married him. He’d seemed gentle, as well, but later was revealed to be the opposite.

  “A war chief with a tender soul?” Marian chuckled at the thought. “He must have something lurking deep within that can bring him to kill in battle.” Marian swallowed. To think she’d shared a bed with the man the night before, and would probably have to do so again tonight.

  How much longer before he dropped the charade and took what was his by force?

  Unless she willingly gave it to him first… Would that be better? Heading off the battle before it was brought to her gates? It was a common strategy for clan wars. Could it work for her?