Page 74 of Her Accidental Highlander Husband

“Even more reason to keep him from finding out. I can’t have him sitting on the south wall day and night, waiting for the English to arrive.”

“What will you do?”

“Let me think on it. I’ll come up with a plan.”

Kenna patted her hand, anxiety clear in her eyes. “I will wait to mention it to Lach until we’ve come up with a plan. I canna lose you, Mari. I just got you back.”

Mari’s sister wasn’t one for dramatics, but being a mother brought on strong emotions, and they were getting the best of Kenna as her eyes brimmed over with tears. “All my bairns love ye, sister. You’re their only auntie.”

Mari took Kenna into her arms, and they swayed together. “Things will be fine. You’ll see,” Mari promised, though at the moment she had no idea how things could ever be fine again.

…

Mari was quiet at the evening meal, and quieter still when they walked to their chamber that night. Cam had seen her angry, but that wasn’t the case now. She wasn’t mad as much as distracted.

“Is everything well with you, wife?” he asked when they were in the privacy of their room.

“Yes.” She smiled, but it wasn’t her normal smile. It was the fake duchess smile she forced to her lips when she was being pleasant and didn’t want to be.

That was no kind of smile for him. He wanted her real smile, or he wanted to know why he wasn’t worthy of it.

“Now I know for sure something is the matter. Your lips are pressed into the false smile of a duchess.”

“I was a duchess, if you recall.” She looked away.

He crossed his arms, trying to read her, but she would not meet his gaze.

“I recall what you were. But I thought the days of seeing that forced expression were over. What has ye unhappy, lass?”

“I believe I answered your question already. Do you plan to interrogate me until I invent something merely to satisfy you?”

Who was this woman in his wife’s skin? His Mari’s fiery green eyes stared back at him for a few seconds before skittering away once more.

“A dog growls so he doesn’t have to bite,” he said, waiting her out.

She scowled at him. “Are you calling me a dog?”

“Nay, and you’re doing it again.”

“What are you accusing me of, exactly? I can’t be sure with all the talk of biting and growling.”

“I’m accusing you of starting an argument with me so you don’t have to speak the truth. You’re hiding something. Why not just tell me what it is so we can deal with it together?”

“Can we not just go to bed? I’m much too tired to puzzle out what you want from me.” With that, she dropped her gown on a chair and crawled into bed in her shift.

As was his habit, he watched the way the thin fabric caressed her skin. His cock stirred, but he frowned, knowing he wouldn’t approach her tonight. It was clear she didn’t want his conversation or his touch.

Very well. He would give her space. She’d lived with her first husband’s demands for many years. It might take as many years for her to realize she was free to be upset with him or simply in need of solitude.

He slid into bed next to her and kissed her shoulder since she was facing away from him. “If I’ve done something to upset you, know I’m sorry for it.”

“You’ve done nothing wrong.” Her voice was thick with tears.

“Why do you weep? Will you at least let me hold you and offer comfort if you don’t want to discuss it?”

She turned toward him and nuzzled against his chest so close they all but shared the same skin. She kissed him and ran her hand lower along his stomach.

“Make love to me, husband,” she whispered.