But then his gaze swept the interior and landed on Tobias, who'd risen from the small table, a honey cake halfway to his mouth.
Boyd's momentary confusion evaporated in a surge of pure, possessive fury.A low growl rumbled from his chest.
Tobias's eyes widened.Then, instinctively, he moved to place himself between Bella and Boyd.
That protective movement infuriated Boyd.
"Get away from my wife!"he snarled.
Tobias raised a brow."I will when ye calm down."
The cocky son of a bitch wasn't even afraid.Instead, Tobias shoved the honey cake into his mouth, chewed, swallowed, and crossed his arms over his chest.
That caused Boyd to fume even more.
"Ye better leave before I gut ye like a fish."Boyd's voice was low, dangerous.
Bella's smile vanished.She put down the water pot."Boyd!That is no way to talk to Tobias.He is a guest."
"A guest?"Boyd's laugh was harsh."Alone.In a secluded cottage.How convenient."
Bella flinched as if he'd struck her."What are ye saying?"
"I'm saying my wife should not entertain a male guest she meets in secret!"he roared.
Bella gasped in shock.
Tobias lowered his arms, his hands clenching into fists."How dare ye insult yer wife like that," he said, his voice shaking with barely controlled fury."She has been nothing but kind, and she would never be unfaithful to ye."
Boyd flinched at his words, but Tobias wasn't finished."But if ye must ken, laird, there are many men, me included, who would happily call yer wife their own.She could easily find comfort elsewhere.Heaven kens she deserves it after the way ye've treated her.But there is no way in hell yer wife would do that, because she doesn't have a cheating bone in her body!"
The silence that followed was deafening.
Boyd's jaw clenched when he replied, "How.Dare.Ye.Who are ye to talk to me about my relationship with my wife?"
"What relationship, Boyd?"
The quiet question came from Bella, and it was louder than any shout.
Boyd turned to her, and the look in her eyes, pain and anger and bitter resignation, made his chest constrict.
"What relationship?"Bella repeated, her voice stronger now."Ye come here making accusations, but where have ye been spending all yer nights, husband?With whom?Perhaps 'tis I who should be angry at ye."
Boyd remained silent, unsure how to respond.
Tobias shook his head slowly, relaxing his stance as he looked between them."I think 'tis best I leave," he said quietly."I can see despite yer husband being an arrogant horse's arse, ye both still love each other."
Tobias moved toward the door, paused, then turned back to the table and took the entire trencher of honey cakes.He winked at Bella."No point having these go to waste."
Then he brushed past Boyd, giving him the evil eye on the way out, and left.
It took all of Boyd's self-control not to smash Tobias in the face.But he couldn't do it.Despite the circumstances, he respected a man who wasn't afraid to call out his bad behavior for Bella's sake.That was rare indeed.It made Boyd realize the level of loyalty his wife had garnered from members of his clan in such a short time.He was both proud of her and annoyed.It seemed everywhere he turned he was being reprimanded for neglecting his wife.
And rightly so.
The silence stretched between them after Tobias left.
Boyd turned to find Gilroy and Darach in the doorway, drawn by the commotion.
