Page 55 of Her Reluctant Highlander Husband

“I will not lay my worry at your feet, then. Instead I will offer you a promise.”

“Oh?”

She stood up on her tiptoes so she could whisper in his ear. “If ye return unharmed, I shall…” She looked around to make sure no one would overhear her bargain. Her skin heated, but she went on. “I shall put my mouth on you. Down there.” She used her chin to indicate where she meant, though it was clear he knew well enough.

His eyes went wide. “And how do you know of such things?”

“The women in the kitchen are quite fond of talking about it.”

He chuckled and kissed her. “I will hold you to that, and it will spur me on, so as not to miss it.” He winked at her and she offered a smile that was more genuine than the first. “Thank you, lass, for understanding.”

She nodded as he ran another dagger through the scabbard on his chest strap and pulled it tight. “I wish you well.” She kept the words light despite the strength of their meaning.

“It’s time,” he announced in a voice of authority. As one, all the warriors moved to the bailey where their mounts waited. The horses had already been warmed up and armored, ready to take the men into battle. “I’ll see you soon. And I’ll wake you if you’re sleeping to claim my reward upon my return.”

She laughed at his eagerness as he planted a fierce kiss on her lips before striding off. She stood back as Kenna and Lachlan said their farewells. Mari and Cam smiled at one another and he bent to place a kiss on the babe in her arms. Another kiss for their daughter, and he mounted.

All around Dorie, the married men were wrapped in the arms of worried women. The unmarried sat their horses patiently. Bryce was already mounted at the front of the group with Liam by his side.

As he moved toward the gate, she felt a rush of dread in the pit of her stomach. But when he turned and smiled at her, she made sure her anxiety didn’t show on her face. She blew him a kiss, and he was gone.

When the last man was out of the bailey, the gate was let down with a thud that echoed in the empty courtyard. The large bar was run through, and the second gate was lowered. The remaining soldiers took their places on the battlements.

It was just a precaution. Liam had told her they knew how many men were waiting, and Bryce had taken more with him than were needed to ensure victory. Still, she knew well enough how cunning the McCurdys could be.

The children began to cry, either feeling the tension from their mothers or from seeing their fathers ride away. Dorie helped comfort one of the twins since Kenna had more children than hands, and the nurse’s arms were already full with Lizzy.

“Hush, lads. You’ll not be joining the battle today, thank God,” Kenna said.

“Don’t speak of such things. I can’t imagine having to watch our husbands and our sons go off to battle,” Mari said. “I’d not survive it.”

Kenna grimaced. “We will survive it. Because it’s what we do.”

Dorie nodded in agreement. It wasn’t easy to watch Bryce go off, knowing he might not return.

“They’ll be home in no time,” she said, hoping to God it was true.

…

Bryce had a smile on his face as he led his men toward the meadow where the McCurdys would be dealt with. The smile wasn’t the result of heading into battle, for he had long since learned there was little joy in fighting to the death. Even if he was the victor.

Killing a man, having blood on his hands, stayed with him and gave no enjoyment.

No, the smile was stuck on his face because of Dorie’s send-off—the incentive she’d provided to encourage him to come home to her unharmed. Thoughts of her mouth on him made it difficult to sit his horse. It was more than enough reason to return to her unscathed. If the obvious incentive weren’t enough.

The way her innocence bloomed on her cheeks from just speaking of the act made certain he would be granted the thrill of her curiosity and exuberance.

“What are you smiling about?” Cam asked with his brows pulled down.

“Something Dorie promised me if I returned.”

“Did she hear about it in the kitchen?” he asked with a smirk.

“Aye.”

Lach chuckled, coming up next to them. “Who would have thought the women who cooked our meals were such wicked imps?”

“I surely wouldn’t have thought it, but I tell you true, I’d like to hug each one of them for their lessons,” Cam said.