“What the hell do you want?” Colin railed at him.
“I didn’t realize how late it was,” Broc shouted in apology.
His tone seemed overly somber, and Seana knew something must be wrong.
“I figured you’d had more than enough time with Seana, you damned heathen, and I wanted to ask you about the search efforts.”
“I’llneverhave enough of my wife,” Colin assured, and that, too, brought a smile to Seana’s lips. “Find yourself a good woman and quit sleeping with mangy hounds, then you’ll understand what I mean.”
Seana could hear Broc’s husky laughter drift up through their window, but it was strained and lacked his usual fervor. She wondered what had brought him here so late.
“Och, but ’tis a mean blow,” Broc proclaimed, “as I have no more dog, no woman, and no longer any friend since he’s gone and gotten himself a wife!”
“Bluidy right, you sorry bastard! Come calling whenthat bright yellow sphere is high in the sky, and I might not be so ornery!”
“You’re always ornery,” Broc argued.
Seana rose from the bed, adjusting her skirts, giving her husband a warm glance. She could still scarce believe he was her husband now. “I’ll go see if Alison has ale on hand.”
Colin turned to wink at her. “I love you, wench.”
A secret smile turned the corners of her mouth. “I know.”
He laughed, and then pointed a finger at her accusingly and said, “Dinna even think you’ll come back up and go to sleep without me, wife. I intend to make you sit right at my side.”
“Who, me?” she asked immodestly and lifted her skirt playfully, teasing him with a glimpse of what he could not have at that instant. “Never!” she proclaimed, and hurried to the door, giggling, when he took a step toward her.
“Wicked wench,” he muttered, and turned again to the window as she left the room. “I’ll be down in a damned moment!” he told his long time friend. “To strangle you with my bare hands!”
CHAPTER 15
Colin knew something was wrong.
It wasn’t like Broc just to show up and throw stones at his window. In fact, he didn’t think either of them had done any such thing since they had been children together. He hurried down the stairs and opened the door, allowing Broc entrance. He looked weary and apprehensive, almost as though he regretted his visit.
“Seana’s gone after ale. So tell me quickly, what brings you here so late, my friend?”
Broc scraped his boots on the doorsill before entering, leaving behind a thick sheet of peat and mud. “I heard the rumors upon my return... about the Sassenach wench gone missing. I came to see what you knew.”
Broc closed the door behind him, and Colin led the way into the hall, talking as he went. “Not verra much,” he said. “She’s a distant cousin of Piers, though it seems he didn’t even realize she was coming. He was furious she crossed the border with such inadequate escort.”
The restrained anger in Broc’s voice was unmistakable. “I, too, wondered why the bluidy hell they sent a woman essentially alone and unprotected!”
Colin lifted his brows at the fervent declaration. “Apparently her father feared Montgomerie would turndown his request to take them into his wardship and didn’t wish to give Piers the opportunity. He sent the girl along with her brother, escorted by his brother-in-law and three men in hopes that he would see her and not be able to send her away. Come, sit down,” he commanded his friend.
Broc hesitated, and Colin turned to face him. “Will Seana blast my arse?”
Colin chuckled with genuine good humor. “Now you think to ask?” He reached out and slapped Broc upon the back. “Come in and stay a while.” Without another word, he led the way to the high table and took his seat, offering Broc the one next to him.
“So how is wedded life?”
Colin’s grin widened. “I wouldn’t know yet—thanks to missing wenches and ill-mannered friends.”
Broc seemed to sober at that remark.
“I was only jesting,” Colin assured him.
Broc nodded. It was unlike him to be so staid, and Colin leaned forward in his chair, resting his elbows upon the table as he regarded his friend.
