Page 56 of The Icy Highlander's Virgin

"Me wife finds me amusin’, apparently."

Duncan froze before hurrying to catch up with Lachlan’s long strides. He stared at him as they reached the great hall, clearly trying to process this information. "Yer wife?"

"Aye. I look forward to havin’ a meal with ye again," Lachlan said, settling into his chair at the high table. "I'll introduce ye to her at supper."

"I..." Duncan scrambled to follow, his boots loud on the stone floor. "When did this happen?"

“When what happened?”

"Yer marriage! I left barely a fortnight ago and ye showed nay signs of courtin' anyone." Duncan's voice rose with bewilderment. "Who is she? Where did she come from?"

Lachlan descended the stairs with measured steps. "Apparently, I was betrothed when I was younger. While ye were gone, events precipitated a swift marriage and we both decided to honor our parents' wishes."

Duncan's steps faltered. "Betrothed?" He caught up, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Ye would never honor any wish yer parents had. What's really goin' on here?"

The questioning of his motives brought out something dangerous in Lachlan's expression. When he turned to face his cousin at the bottom of the stairs, there was nothing left of the contented husband and everything of the Highland laird who'd earned his position through blood.

"Ye dare to question me motives in gettin' wed?" His voice was deadly quiet, the kind of tone that had made grown warriors step back in fear. "Ye forget yerself, cousin."

Duncan paled but held his ground. "I just meant?—"

"Now prepare yerself to be courteous to me wife, Lady Kinnaird, at supper tonight." Lachlan's eyes were ice-cold as he stared down his cousin.

From the corner of his eye, Lachlan caught the slight tightening around Duncan's mouth, the barely perceptible clench of his jaw as he processed the warning.

But when Duncan spoke, his voice was carefully controlled, diplomatic. "Of course, cousin. Forgive me—the journey was long, and I misspoke." He managed what might have passed for a smile. "Congratulations on yer marriage. I'm sure Lady Kinnaird is... everythin’ ye could have hoped for."

"She is," Lachlan replied curtly, not bothering to soften the hard edge in his voice.

Duncan nodded, then took a step back. "If ye'll excuse me, I find meself rather tired from the road. Perhaps I should rest a bit before the evenin’ meal? I'd hate to make a poor impression on yer new wife."

"Aye," Lachlan said, though his eyes never left Duncan's face. "Rest well."

He watched his cousin retreat up the stairs, noting the stiffness in Duncan's shoulders, the way his hands had clenched briefly at his sides before he'd forced them to relax.

Whatever game Duncan thought he was playing, Lachlan had made his position clear. Lady Kinnaird was under his protection now, and anyone—blood relation or not—who thought to challenge that would find themselves facing the full wrath of a Highland laird who had already proven he wasn't afraid to spill family blood when necessary.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Erica stretched luxuriously across the bed, her body still humming with contentment from Lachlan's earlier attentions. The silk sheets felt decadent against her bare skin, and she couldn't help but smile at the memory of his playful kisses.

A soft knock interrupted her reverie. "Come in," she called, pulling the sheet higher.

Ada bustled through the door with her usual efficiency, but stopped short when she saw Erica's face.

"Well now," Ada said, her weathered features creasing into a knowing smile. "Someone's lookin' particularly radiant this mornin'."

"Am I?" Erica asked innocently, though she could feel heat rising in her cheeks.

"Och, aye. Practically glowin', ye are." Ada moved to the washbasin, preparing fresh water. "I'd say married life is agreein' with ye quite well."

"Ada," Erica warned, but there was no real reproach in her voice.

"What? I'm just sayin' what I see." Ada's eyes sparkled with mischief as she approached the bed. "And what I see is a woman who's been thoroughly... appreciated."

"Ada!"

"Could be ye'll have news for me soon," Ada continued, completely unrepentant. "A wee bairn, perhaps?"