Page 48 of Under the Laird’s Promise

"What ye did in the training yard was out of line." His voice carried an edge she hadn't heard before.

Heat flared through her chest. "Out of line? That warrior was accusing ye of daein’ what Sinclair is daein’. I defended me betrothed."

"Ye made me look weak." Tavish moved closer, lowering his voice to something rough and angry. "Stood there in front of everyone and fought me battles like I'm some helpless bairn who cannae handle himself."

"That's nae what happened."

"Isn't it? Because from where I was standing, ye rushed in tae save me before I'd even opened me mouth tae respond."

Maighread's hands fisted in her skirts. "He was calling ye a traitor. Suggesting ye were betraying us tae Sinclair. I wasnae goin’ tae stand there and let him spread poison."

"I can defend meself against accusations." His eyes blazed with something between fury and hurt. "I've been daein’ it me whole bloody life without ye swooping in tae rescue me."

"This is different."

"How? How is this different from any other time I've had tae prove meself?" He stepped closer still. "Because we're betrothed now? Because ye think that gives ye the right tae speak fer me in public?"

The words hit harder than she'd expected. "I was trying tae help."

"I didn't ask fer yer help. Didnae need it either." He ran a hand through his hair, frustration radiating from every tense muscle. "That warrior was spoiling fer a fight, aye. But I've handled worse than him. Could've managed it without ye charging in like I'm incapable of basic defense."

"So, what was I supposed tae dae? Stand there and let him call ye a traitor?"

"Aye! Let him say whatever poison he wanted, then let me shut him down meself." Tavish's jaw clenched. "Because when I respond, it's me defending meself. When ye respond, it looks like I need me betrothed tae fight me battles."

"I didnae think of it that way."

"Clearly."

Silence pressed between them, heavy and uncomfortable. Maighread's anger warred with the growing realization that maybe, possibly, he had a point. She'd acted on instinct, seen someone threatening what was hers and responded without considering how it might look to observers.

Without considering how it might make Tavish feel.

"I was wrong," she said finally, forcing the admission past pride that wanted tae argue further. "Ye're right. I should've let ye handle it."

"Aye, ye should have." But some of the anger had drained from his voice. "I ken ye were trying tae help. I appreciate the impulse even if the execution was awful."

"Awful?"

"Absolutely terrible. Timing, delivery, everything." His mouth quirked despite the lingering tension. "Though watching ye tear intae that warrior was fairly impressive."

"Was it?"

"Aye. Terrifying and impressive in equal measure." He shifted his weight, still standing too close fer comfort or propriety. "But next time, let me handle me own fights unless I actually ask fer backup."

She nodded, the promise feeling easier than she'd expected. "Agreed."

The following days passed in careful preparation. Tavish spent hours studying maps and documents, familiarizing himself with MacEwan holdings and the complexities of inheritance law. Maighread coordinated with Malcolm, ensuring supplies were gathered without drawing unwanted attention.

When she finally found him in the solar on the third morning, he was bent over a map of MacEwan lands with the kind of focus that suggested he'd been at it since dawn. Morning light streamed through the narrow windows, turning his hair to burnished gold and making the blue-green of his eyes even more striking when he glanced up at her approach.

"Ye wanted tae talk about inheritance laws," he said without preamble. "So let's talk."

Maighread closed the door behind her, appreciating the directness even as nerves fluttered in her stomach. This conversation had been postponed too long already, delayed by pride and fear and the residual tension from their corridor argument.

"Aye." She moved tae the opposite side of the table, using the map as a buffer between them. "Ye need tae understand what happens when me faither dies."

"He daesnae have a male heir. The Council will push fer ye tae marry quickly so yer husband can take over as laird." Tavish's tone suggested he'd already pieced together most of it. "That's why Keir's been circling like a vulture."