Page 23 of The Laird’s Wrong Wife

Ceana stepped across the boundary marking the ring. One warrior moved as if to warn her, then stopped when Oscar allowed her to continue.

“They are lonely,” she said.

Oscar handed the practice blade to Lennan without taking his eyes off her. His man-at-arms accepted it and stepped away.

“Me children have everythin’ they need.”

“They have food and enough guards to defend a small village. Those things cannae perform every duty of kin.”

Oscar snatched a cloth from the rail and wiped the sweat from his neck. Ceana forced her eyes to remain on his face as the cloth traveled across his chest and down his side.

“They have tutors and servants,” he added. “Paisley receives every instruction suitable for her position, and clearly, Tommy has freedom enough to terrorize half the castle.”

“Ye daenae understand, do ye?”

Oscar narrowed his eyes. “Understand what?”

“Tommy wants attention because he doesnae get it from ye. He risks his neck because mischief guarantees someone will look at him. Paisley behaves so perfectly that everyone forgets she needs company as much as he does.”

Oscar’s shoulders stiffened, and his hand closed around the cloth.

Ceana knew she had hit a sore spot. The children mattered more than the pride that could be seen hardening his expression.

“A servant can supervise lessons,” she continued. “And sure, guards can protect them, but neither can replace time at their faither’s table. They need to ken that clan business hasnae displaced them.”

Oscar made a small motion with two fingers. The warriors obeyed without question, gathering weapons and moving to the far side of the grounds. Lennan directed them beyond the next ring, creating more distance than Oscar had requested.

Ceana saw movement behind a stone arch near the stables. Tommy peered around its edge until Paisley caught his sleeve and pulled him back. Both children remained close enough to watch.

“Once we marry,” Ceana said, “the four of us will spend one hour together every day.”

Oscar lowered the cloth. “Ye have spent one mornin’ in me castle.”

“One mornin’ showed me what the contract failed to mention.”

“And, let me guess, now ye intend to restructure me family?”

“I intend to perform the duties ye asked me to accept. We can share a meal, walk, tell stories, or speak without half yer warriors waitin’ at the door.”

Oscar stepped closer. Without the other men between them, the heat of his skin reached her. His sweat darkened the waistband of his trousers, and his breathing remained steady despite the exertion.

“Ye ken what, I changed me mind. We must start tonight. We cannae afford to waste any more time.”

Oscar scoffed. “Anyone ever tell ye that ye bargain like a raider?”

Ceana raised her chin. “I learned from the man who stole me.”

His gaze remained on her face, though it dropped briefly to her mouth. Then he closed more of the distance. He could have removed her from the ring with little effort, but his hands remained at his sides.

“Ye willnae contradict or command me in front of me warriors,” he warned, lowering his voice.

“Ye announced before the household that I will become Lady MacKane. Ye cannae demand I carry the title while forbiddin’ me to speak about the family attached to it.”

“That is nae the point.”

Ceana glanced toward the men now training beyond the second ring. “I see I may have chosen the location poorly.”

Oscar’s jaw tightened. He stood close enough that the hem of her gown nearly brushed his bare feet. She could see his pulse in the damp skin at his throat. Her eyes dropped once to the dark line disappearing beneath his waistband before she forced them back to his face.