Page 31 of The Highlander’s Iron Hold

"The loch near our castle," Morag said immediately. "Me faither used tae take us there fer picnics when we were small. I'd spend hours swimming while me maither fretted about me getting too cold." Her expression grew wistful. "I always felt most like meself there, in the water."

"Most like yerself?" Colin asked, genuinely curious.

"Free," she said simply. "Not the laird's daughter who had tae behave properly, or the sister who had tae live up tae Sorcha's example, or the political pawn tae be married off. Just... me."

Colin felt something shift in his chest at her words. "And what are ye here? In this moment?"

Morag looked around the secluded glen, then back at him, her blue eyes bright with hope. "I dinnae ken yet. But maybe that's nae such a terrible thing tae figure out."

"Would ye..." he paused, knowing he rarely showed this side of himself. "Would ye like tae go fer a swim?"

Morag's eyes widened, then a spark of mischief lit them. "A swim? How scandalous of ye, husband. What would yer clan think of their Iron Laird suggesting such impropriety?"

"They'd think I've finally lost me mind," Colin admitted with a rare grin. "Is that a yes or nae?"

Morag's eyes widened. ""That depends. Is it safe?"

"Aye," Colin assured her. "Nay one comes here but me. We'll hear anyone approaching long before they can see us."

She was quiet for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Very well then," Morag said decisively. "But ye'll need tae turn around."

Colin's mouth went dry at the request.

"Turn around?" Colin asked, raising an eyebrow.

Dinnea think about it, he commanded himself, even as his imagination supplied vivid images of what she might look like.

"Because I intend tae undress," she said matter-of-factly, as if explaining something obvious.

"I am yer husband," Colin pointed out, his voice dropping to a lower register.

"Aye, and a husband who hasn't properly seen his wife yet," Morag shot back, her cheeks pinking but her tone remaining bold. "I'm nae about tae give ye that privilege while standin’ here like some nervous maiden."

"Nervous maiden?" Colin's lips twitched. "Ye're many things, lass, but nervous isnae one of them."

"Exactly. So turn around," she commanded with mock authority.

"And if I refuse?" Colin asked, clearly enjoying himself now.

"Then ye'll be swimmin’ alone while I sit here fully clothed, judgin’ yer technique," Morag replied smartly.

One brow lifted. "Me technique?"

"Aye. And ye better nae still be fully clothed. What kind of gentleman makes a lady undress first?" Came her voice, accompanied by the rustle of fabric.

"I’m enjoying the anticipation," Colin said, his voice rougher now as he heard more rustling behind him.

"Enjoyin’ yerself, are ye?" Morag's voice was closer to the water now. "Well, ye can enjoy it facing the trees. And nay peekin’!" she added. "I may be yer wife, but I'm nae fool enough tae trust ye completely yet."

"Ye wound me deeply," Colin said, fighting the urge to glance over his shoulder. "Here I thought we were building trust."

"We are. But trust has limits, and those limits include not turnin’ around until I'm safely in the water."

The soft splash that followed nearly undid Colin's resolve entirely.

"Ye can turn around now," Morag called, her voice slightly breathless. "Though if ye stare too much, I might just disappear beneath the surface."

"Is that a threat?" Colin asked as he began to turn.