Page 83 of Her Accidental Highlander Husband

He gave a reluctant nod. “I will discuss it with you, if ever they arrive.”

…

Cam went to find Mari as soon as he arrived home. He was filthy from travel, but he needed to see her. He’d only made it into the hall before she slammed into him. Her arms looped around his neck and he bent to kiss her, not caring who else might be in the hall to see them.

“God, I’ve missed you. It’s only been a few weeks, but it’s felt like years since I kissed you.”

“It feels the same to me.” She laughed and kissed him again. “I’ll have a bath brought up.”

“Nay. I must see Lach first, because once you get me in our rooms I’ll not come out for a few days.” She blushed, and he pressed a kiss to her head. “You haunted my dreams, wife.”

“You were in mine as well.”

“Do I take that to mean your nights weren’t filled with terrors?”

She frowned, and he saw the truth.

“We’re safe. I’ll make sure of it.”

“And what about your safety?” she asked.

He let out a breath and pulled her to his chest. He couldn’t lie to her, but he wasn’t ready to tell her of the soldiers he’d encountered. He needed to speak with Lach and determine their options first.

“Get us some food. I’ll meet ye upstairs shortly.”

She nodded and left. He watched her until she was gone, then went to find the laird.

“Nay, like this, Roddy. Hold it like this,” Lach instructed his child as Cam walked into the solar.

“Isn’t he a bit young for swords?”

“Do you remember the first time you held a sword?”

“Nay. I thought I was born with one strapped to my hip. My dear mother complained my birth was a horrendous battle.”

They laughed as Lach slapped him on the back in greeting. When he released his cousin Cam took up a small wooden sword and tapped it against the matching one in Roddy’s hand. The boy laughed and made a move to stab him.

Cam fell to the floor and moaned in a display of pain, causing the other twin to jump on him as Roddy struck him again. Both boys dissolved into giggles when he lurched up from his fake death to grab and tickle them.

Once they’d settled, the nurse arrived to take the children away. Cam gave them each a smacking kiss on the cheek before handing them over.

“You’ll make a good father someday,” Lach said when they were alone.

Cam nodded. “I don’t fear it like I once did, but it’s not something I wish for right now. Not with what we may be facing.”

“Something’s happened?” Lach guessed.

“Aye. Squads of English soldiers are visiting every port with a notice about Mari, including a likeness. In a matter of weeks, every sailor and dock mate will know her face. We’ll not be able to board a ship without encountering someone who wishes to earn the hundred-pound reward for her capture.”

Lach drew in a long breath. “We’ll think on it and come up with something.”

Cam noticed the man’s bleak expression and knew the laird had been worrying over this since Cam had brought Mari home.

“I’m sorry this will fall at our door.”

“We do what we must to protect our kin,” Lach said. Cam nodded in agreement and went to find his wife.

…