Page 56 of Her Accidental Highlander Husband

Cam led Mari in the opposite direction from the loch. He would take her back there at some point, but it didn’t need to be today. They would work through this slowly so as not to cause her more distress than necessary.

Stopping his horse, he waited for her to come up beside him, then leaned closer in his saddle.

“When I’m in battle, I always have a man riding beside me,” he explained. “The two of us side by side are safer because it means we only have to protect one side. Each is guarded at all times by the other warrior.”

She bit her lip, thinking over his words. “I’m not a warrior. I can’t protect your side.”

“And I can’t protect you at all if you’re behind me where I canna see.”

“Very well. I’ll stay at your side. At least I can call out so you’re prepared if we are ambushed.”

He smiled. “Aye. That would be a great help.” He kept her talking, sharing other tricks to defend oneself in battle.

Slowly she relaxed and stopped looking over her shoulder constantly.

He took her to a cliff that looked out over a valley. It was one of his favorite spots, for he could see in every direction. They got down from their horses to take in the view.

“This is the safest place on MacKinlay lands, save for behind the walls of Dunardry,” he pointed out as she spun in a circle.

“No one can sneak up on you here,” she observed.

“That’s right. And if armed with a bow, you can easily pick off anyone who might try to advance on you.”

“We don’t have a bow.”

“No. Someday, I’ll show you how to shoot one. Or mayhap Kenna will do it when she’s not bulging with child.” He winked. “For today, you’ll have this.” He reached for the sheath at his waist and pulled out a jeweled dagger.

She gasped and covered her mouth rather than take it from him.

“Go on. It’s for ye. A gift.”

“It’s beautiful.”

“Aye. It belonged to my mother. My father didn’t like leaving her behind unarmed, so he had this made. I guess he thought if it was made fancy as a piece of jewelry, she would want to keep it with her.”

“And did she?”

“Aye. Always.”

Mari took it from him, holding it up to the sun and turning it so the light glinted off the colorful stones. “I’m afraid it would only be something for me to carry. I wouldn’t know how to use it as a weapon.”

“That’s the other reason I brought you out here with me today. Your days of using anything handy to defend yourself are over. There won’t always be a fire poker within reach. It’s time you learn the proper way. You’re a tiny thing, but not helpless.”

She nodded and squared her shoulders. “I never thought I was capable of killing anyone. But that night, I didn’t need to think about it. It was the natural thing to do. When those men attacked me, I fought, but all the while I was looking for something I could use to protect myself. It was no use.”

“Against five full-grown men, you would exhaust yourself trying.” He hated the memory of seeing her under them. Their dirty hands pinning her to the ground. The thought of what could have happened… “Let’s get started, shall we?” he suggested so he could stop his thoughts before they brought on a panic.

“What should I do?” she asked, seeming eager for her lesson.

“Surprise is a smaller person’s best defense.” He went on to show her where and how to attack. They practiced for hours. Occasionally when they tumbled into each other, he would steady her and steal a kiss.

“This is so much more useful than how to flirt with noblemen and how to speak properly.”

He chuckled and kissed her on the nose. “I wouldn’t say the lessons on flirting were a complete waste of time.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. “I like it fine when you practice your skills on me to get your way.”

A saucy half smile tugged on her lips. “Is that so?”

“Aye. It’s so.”