Page 28 of Never Kiss a Highlander

Although he knew that was part of the marriage agreement he and The Mackay had worked out, he still found it hard to believe he was the third son of his clan, hired here as the second-in-command and now had a much different life awaiting him.

As well as a wife who was determined to put herself in danger in the name of independence. He’d known her brothers Bryan and William. He also knew The Mackay for all his life, and was certain among the three men Alison would never have the type of independence she expected.

The best way to keep the lass close to home was to get her with a bairn. If she had one or two clinging to her skirts she would no’ have the time to get into trouble.

Once they finished their meal, he leaned back on his chair and said, “What say ye we travel to the village this afternoon?”

Her face lit up, making him feel a tad guilty for refusing to let her ride earlier in the morning. Making concessions was a part of marriage, so mayhap he could take a morning or two and go with her for her ride. James and Albert could certainly handle the training.

“I would love that,” Alison said.

He congratulated himself for thinking of a way to calm his wife down and maintain control. If anyone had the ability to have him lose control it was his wife. He had already felt the pull between them and had no intention of letting it go any further.

He’d thought once he’d bedded her, he would feel satisfied and be able to concentrate on more important matters than keeping a woman happy outside the bedroom.

That hadn’t happened. If anything, he craved her more. A voice inside said that was not a good thing to let his wife know.

They walked side-by-side to the stable. He’d sent word to Old Kilmead to have their horses tacked and ready to go. Once they reached the horses’ sides, he lifted Alison to Bonnie-Bay and then jumped on Morag.

Alison had already reached the drawbridge when he joined her. They trotted out, horse hooves clattering on the wooden bridge as they rode away.

Once they reached the bottom of the hill surrounding Castle Varrich, they gave their horses their heads and raced along. He looked over at Alison who looked back at him.

Her bright smile almost caused him to tumble from his horse. Her plaited hair had blown free and she held her body in tense concentration.

Memories of the night before warmed his body and had a part of his body growing, almost making the ride uncomfortable.

The Village Tongue sat only a short distance from the castle, so they didn’t really give their horses a full run. But they were still breathless when they guided their mounts to the stable.

Finn lifted Alison from her horse and placed his hand on her lower back as they headed to the green where vendors had set up for the day.

He reached over and pulled her closer, linking their fingers together. It appeared Alison knew every vendor in the green.

Including the men.

Not that he cared, of course. She was just a friendly lass and everyone seemed to like her.

Including the men.

“Lady Alison!” A large man, long, flowing, red curly hair, a bright smile on his face strode up to her. He threw his arms around Alison and pulled her into a ferocious hug.

Bells went off in Finn’s head and he closed and opened his fists as he studied them.

“Brendan, I am so happy to see you. It’s been so long.” Alison grinned at the man, raising Finn’s irritation.

“And I am happy to see ye, lass. I thought ye’d be gone by now to Sinclair Grinigoe.”

Alison flinched and said, “Nay. I dinna end up marrying Archie Sinclair.”

The man spending too much time clasping his wife said, “Then ye are free? I put my name in to be chosen as yer husband.”

Finn had heard enough. He pushed his way between his wife and the man. “Lady Alison is no’ free, and I would appreciate yer taking yer hands offmy wife.”

The man looked at him with raised eyebrows. “Yer wife? Are ye saying this lovely lass that I’ve had my eyes on for years is yers?”

“Aye. And step back if ye doona wish to lose a few of yer teeth.”

The man raised his hands and stepped back. “‘Tis sorry, I am. Lady Alison and I have been friends for many years. When I left to visit my family last month she was betrothed to that bastard, Sinclair. As much as I am sorry to find her married, ‘tis glad I am she escaped that fate.”