“Do not call me that.” She closed her eyes, regretting the outburst that gave her sister-in-law the upper hand. The woman knew well enough how to make her cower.
“But it is what ye are. Little. Of no consequence.” Each word brought the woman closer.
Malcolm, a disgusted expression, kept his gaze leveled on Ethne. He’d be taking his wife’s side. As always. The three seasoned warriors would surely have witnessed far worse than a woman screaming in her upset, but they exchanged surprised glances. Or was that only her imagination?
The heat of embarrassment at her own shrew-like behavior lingered despite the little voice in her head telling her she’d every right to be upset. “I will gut him in his sleep.”
“Ye will not!”
Domelch flew at her, her hand poised for a hard slap, but Ethne was done with this belittling treatment. She grabbed the larger woman’s wrist and shook her hard. Ethne was no longer a weak child but a strong woman, and she was more than willing to show Domelch that.
“Do. Not. Touch. Me. Again,” Ethne said. Tears thickened her voice, but she gritted her teeth. Damn emotions! She’d be breaking down at any moment. Then Domelch would laugh at her as she always did. Uradech would take that as encouragement to do whatever he wanted. And her brother, Malcolm, would just sit there and expect his sister to submit.
Her gaze bore into Domelch’s face, her hand squeezing the woman’s wrist. When her arm began to shake, Ethne knew she was about to break. Something moved beyond Domelch. Ethne caught a glimpse of Lachlann.
He stood near the entryway behind everyone else, watching the scene unfold. He crossed his arms about his broad chest, his gaze intent on her. He winked.
Her breath caught in her throat.
He smiled, followed by a slightest dip of his head.
He was encouraging her?
She turned her focus back to Domelch and threw the woman’s hand down so hard that the she stepped back in fear.
“Now, sit back down so that I can finish my work.”
Uradech’s mouth hung open.
Seeing that, Ethne added, “And keep yer puppy at yer side.”
She reached toward Finn, and he took her hand, his mouth agape as well. Together, they went out of the cave. No one spoke behind them. Not even Malcolm.
Chapter 15
Lachlann remained at the cave entrance. Guarding the lass. Ethne needed some time to herself and he would insist if needs be. Niall and Aldred proved to be most entertaining, taking Domelch’s attention off her sister-in-law’s rebellion.
When Ethne finally returned, there were no tears in sight. She resumed her duties, and no one said a word. Not a word of reprimand, warning, or concern. In fact, no one said a thing.
Lachlann gathered from Uradech’s downtrodden expression that he expected any marriage plans might be forestalled because of the woman’s obvious dislike of him, or until they were able to coerce her. Even though Lachlann had only the slightest knowledge of Ethne, he was fairly certain coercion would not be a simple task.
Seeing her standing up to that bully had been amazing to watch. Her proud demeanor, a vision to behold. It set Lachlann’s heart afire. She was like a captured animal breaking free of its binding, racing across the open glen. Or some hawk’s prey that managed to work its way out of the deadly talons to live another day.
Breathtaking.
Now, he had a hard time taking his eyes off her at all. When she removed the loaves from the iron pans, he was right there to offer her a cloth to protect her hand. And when she lifted the fifth bucket of boiling water into the tub, he helped her to lift it that last little bit to empty it just as her arm gave out. She looked exhausted. They worked her hard.
He didn’t notice Niall taking the few steps closer to him until his friend spoke.
“Ye best not be following in Aldred’s footsteps.” Niall’s low voice was intended for his ears only. Niall’s eyes looked about as if he wasn’t speaking to him.
Lachlann merely glanced his way. “What are ye on about?”
Ethne beat the cream in the deep clay jar, her entire body moving with the motion. Lachlann licked his lower lip.
“That.” Niall was staring at him now, piercing him with widened eyes and raised brows.
“Ye are speaking gibberish.” Lachlann glanced back at Ethne, who wiped her hair from her face.
