Page 16 of The Highlander’s Iron Hold (Kilted Kisses #4)

CHAPTER NINE

A s Colin led her back toward the horses, anger warred with something dangerously close to pleasure in his chest.

The foolish lass could have been taken by any of the Fraser if they ' d happened on her .

But underneath his fury lay the undeniable satisfaction that she'd come looking for him.

That she'd been jealous enough to risk her safety suggested feelings she mightn't yet even have admitted to herself.

Feelings he wasn't sure would remain when she found out the true nature of his alliance with her father.

"I'll take Lady Armstrong back," he told his men curtly. "Continue the patrol and report back at sunset."

"Aye, me laird." The soldiers nodded, though Colin caught the meaningful looks they exchanged.

As they mounted their horses, Colin found himself studying Morag's profile.

Her cheeks were still flushed from their encounter, and she kept stealing glances at him when she thought he wasn't looking.

The sight stirred something protective and possessive in him that he was finding increasingly difficult to ignore.

"There's something I'd like tae show ye," he said impulsively as they rode through a grove of ancient oaks. "A place that's... special tae me."

Morag raised an eyebrow, her lips quirking into a teasing smile. "Special? I thought everything was just strategic positions and defensive advantages fer the Iron Laird."

Colin felt heat creep up his neck. "I'm not like that, despite what people say."

"Could have fooled me," Morag replied, though her tone was lighter than her words. "What kind of special? Secret weapon cache? Hidden watchtower? Meeting place fer yer spies?"

"Ye have a very low opinion of me pastimes," Colin said dryly, leading her off the main path. "What would ye guess if I told ye it involves water?"

"A moat filled with hungry pike?" Morag suggested with mock seriousness. "Or perhaps a loch where ye practice underwater sword fighting?"

Despite himself, Colin chuckled. "Underwater sword fighting?"

"Well, it would explain why ye're so good at defeating yer enemies," she said, batting her eyelashes innocently. "Secret training methods of the Iron Laird."

"Ye're never going tae let me forget that name, are ye?" Colin asked, following a barely visible trail that wound between moss-covered stones and through patches of wild heather.

"Why should I? It suits ye perfectly when ye're being particularly stubborn and commanding," Morag said, then paused thoughtfully. "Though I suppose iron can be shaped when heated properly."

Colin glanced at her sideways. "Are ye suggesting I need heating?"

"I'm suggesting that even the hardest metals can be transformed with the right touch," she replied, her cheeks flushing slightly at the implication.

The sound of rushing water grew louder as they approached a secluded glen hidden behind a curtain of willows. "We're almost there," Colin said, suddenly feeling nervous about sharing this place with her. "But ye have tae promise nae tae laugh."

"Why would I laugh?" Morag asked, genuine curiosity replacing her teasing tone.

"Because it's not very... laird-like," Colin admitted. "It's just peaceful. Beautiful. Nae strategic or defensive or practical."

"Ah," Morag said softly, understanding dawning in her voice. "So the Iron Laird daes have a weakness fer beauty."

Morag gasped as they emerged into the clearing. " Oh, ‘tis beautiful."

The waterfall cascaded down smooth granite rocks into a crystal-clear pool, surrounded by emerald grass and wildflowers. Sunlight filtered through the canopy above, creating dancing patterns of light on the water's surface.

Colin dismounted and helped Morag down, acutely aware of how she fit against him for that brief moment. "I used tae come here as a lad when I needed tae think," he said, surprised by his own admission. He'd never brought anyone there before.

"And what terrible thoughts required such a beautiful place tae think them?" Morag asked gently, her teasing manner softening into something warmer.

"Usually how tae avoid me tutors," Colin said with a rueful smile. "Or wondering why me faither always looked so tired. Sometimes just... wondering what it would be like tae be someone else."

"Someone without a clan tae lead and people depending on them?" Morag guessed.

"Aye. Someone who could spend all day by a waterfall without worrying about grain stores and border patrols and marriage alliances." He paused, then looked at her directly. "What about ye? Did ye have a place like this growing up?"

"The loch near our castle," Morag said immediately. "Me faither used tae take us there fer picnics when we were small. I'd spend hours swimming while me maither fretted about me getting too cold." Her expression grew wistful. "I always felt most like meself there, in the water."

"Most like yerself?" Colin asked, genuinely curious.

"Free," she said simply. "Not the laird's daughter who had tae behave properly, or the sister who had tae live up tae Sorcha's example, or the political pawn tae be married off. Just... me."

Colin felt something shift in his chest at her words. "And what are ye here? In this moment?"

Morag looked around the secluded glen, then back at him, her blue eyes bright with hope. "I dinnae ken yet. But maybe that's nae such a terrible thing tae figure out."

"Would ye..." he paused, knowing he rarely showed this side of himself. "Would ye like tae go fer a swim?"

Morag's eyes widened, then a spark of mischief lit them. "A swim? How scandalous of ye, husband. What would yer clan think of their Iron Laird suggesting such impropriety?"

"They'd think I've finally lost me mind," Colin admitted with a rare grin. "Is that a yes or nae?"

Morag's eyes widened. ""That depends. Is it safe?"

"Aye," Colin assured her. "Nay one comes here but me. We'll hear anyone approaching long before they can see us."

She was quiet for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Very well then," Morag said decisively. "But ye'll need tae turn around."

Colin's mouth went dry at the request.

"Turn around?" Colin asked, raising an eyebrow.

Dinnea think about it, he commanded himself, even as his imagination supplied vivid images of what she might look like.

"Because I intend tae undress," she said matter-of-factly, as if explaining something obvious.

"I am yer husband," Colin pointed out, his voice dropping to a lower register.

"Aye, and a husband who hasn't properly seen his wife yet," Morag shot back, her cheeks pinking but her tone remaining bold. "I'm nae about tae give ye that privilege while standin’ here like some nervous maiden."

"Nervous maiden?" Colin's lips twitched. "Ye're many things, lass, but nervous isnae one of them."

"Exactly. So turn around," she commanded with mock authority.

"And if I refuse?" Colin asked, clearly enjoying himself now.

"Then ye'll be swimmin’ alone while I sit here fully clothed, judgin’ yer technique," Morag replied smartly.

One brow lifted. "Me technique?"

"Aye. And ye better nae still be fully clothed. What kind of gentleman makes a lady undress first?" Came her voice, accompanied by the rustle of fabric.

"I’m enjoying the anticipation," Colin said, his voice rougher now as he heard more rustling behind him.

"Enjoyin’ yerself, are ye?" Morag's voice was closer to the water now. "Well, ye can enjoy it facing the trees. And nay peekin’!" she added. "I may be yer wife, but I'm nae fool enough tae trust ye completely yet."

"Ye wound me deeply," Colin said, fighting the urge to glance over his shoulder. "Here I thought we were building trust."

"We are. But trust has limits, and those limits include not turnin’ around until I'm safely in the water."

The soft splash that followed nearly undid Colin's resolve entirely.

"Ye can turn around now," Morag called, her voice slightly breathless. "Though if ye stare too much, I might just disappear beneath the surface."

"Is that a threat?" Colin asked as he began to turn.

"It's a promise," came her laughing reply from the water.

Colin turned to find her neck-deep in the crystal pool, her hair floating around her like spun gold. "Ye comin’?" she asked boldly.

"Getting’ there," Colin replied, beginning to remove his own shirt.

" I suppose I can wait while ye catch up."

"How generous of ye," Colin said dryly.

"I'm known fer me patience," she replied with a straight face, then immediately contradicted herself. "Actually, nay, I'm nae. Hurry up before I get bored and swim away."

"Swim away? In me private loch?"

"Our private loch now," Morag corrected. "Marriage makes us equal partners, remember?"

"Daes it now?" Colin asked, wading into the water. "I'll have tae remember that."

"See that ye dae," Morag said, backing away as he approached. "Though I notice ye're movin’ rather slowly fer someone who supposedly grew up swimmin’."

"I'm savorin’ the moment," Colin said, moving closer.

"Or ye're afraid the water's too cold," Morag teased.

"Cold?" Colin lunged forward suddenly, sending a splash of water her way. "Daes that feel cold tae ye?"

Morag shrieked and splashed him back. "Ye're terrible! I was being perfectly civilized!"

"Civilized is overrated," Colin said, grinning as he moved through the water toward her with easy strokes. "Besides, I thought ye wanted tae see me swimmin’ technique."

"This is technique?" Morag asked, dodging another splash. "It looks more like the flailin’ of a drowning man."

"Drownin’?" Colin caught her easily as she tried to swim away, his arms coming around her waist. "I'll show ye drownin’, lass."

But instead of dunking her as threatened, he simply held her there in the water, both of them suddenly aware of how close they were.

"It's perfect," Morag said softly, floating on her back with her eyes closed. "I can see why ye love this place."

Ye' re perfect .