There was something in his voice, a strange satisfaction that made her look at him sharply.But his expression was carefully neutral, concerned and protective as always.
"What do ye mean?"
"I ken ye dinnae love yer husband.I see how unhappy he makes ye.If ye ever need ...a change.I can help."
Fiona’s back stiffened when she replied, "Horas, with respect, my marriage is none of yer concern.I am well pleased with my husband and I dinnae need to explain it to anyone."
"I did not mean anything disrespectful by it.We’re old friends are we not?Ye ken I would never harm ye?"
Fiona sighed and nodded in acknowledgement.Still, she hastened her steps to reach the keep faster.They hurried back in silence, but Fiona found herself thinking about his words, about the way he'd appeared so suddenly by the loch.About how often he'd been appearing lately, always focused on her injury.
***
THAT EVENING, CONNORreturned from a long day of settling disputes among the tenants to find Horas once again in corridor outside their chambers', engaged in quiet conversation with Fiona.Something about the sight—the way he leaned in close, the familiar way he spoke to her—made Connor's vision go red around the edges.
This was the breaking point.For weeks, he'd watched the man insert himself into Fiona's daily routine.Always solicitous, always concerned, always finding excuses to touch her arm or check on her welfare.And Fiona, sweet and trusting as she was, seemed oblivious to how inappropriate it appeared.
Even Ewan had started giving him pointed looks, raising eyebrows when Horas interrupted their meals or appeared uninvited at gatherings.The man was overstepping boundaries that should have been clear to any loyal guardsman.
"Horas!"Connor's voice cut across the corridor like the crack of a whip.
Both Fiona and Horas turned, and Connor saw his wife's face brighten at the sight of him.It was a reaction that both warmed his heart and fed his fury.She was happy to see him, yet she allowed this man to hover around her like a lovesick pup.
"Connor," she smiled, moving toward him."Horas was just telling me—"
"I'm sure he was," Connor interrupted, his gaze fixed on the other man."Dinnae ye have duties elsewhere?"
Horas straightened, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly."I was simply ensuring Mrs.MacNeil's comfort after her walk.I worry about her tiring herself."
"How thoughtful," Connor replied, his tone suggesting it was anything but."In future, such concerns can be directed to me.I am, after all, her husband."
The emphasis on the last word was unmistakable, and Fiona's eyes widened at the barely controlled anger in his voice.Around them, several clan members had paused in their tasks, sensing the tension crackling between the two men.
"Of course," Horas replied, but his eyes held a challenge that made Connor's hands itch for his sword."I simply feel responsible for her welfare, given our...long friendship.Her father entrusted her care to me when he returned to Finnigan Keep."
"My wife’s care, ismyconcern not yers," Connor said quietly."Yer role is to serve Clan MacNeil.Nothing more."
The dismissal was so pointed that even Fiona flinched.Horas bowed stiffly, his face flushed with humiliation."I apologise," he said then stormed away.
The moment Horas was out of earshot, Fiona rounded on her husband."What in heaven’s name was that about?"
Connor's jaw was tight, a muscle jumping in his cheek."Nothing that concerns ye."
"Nothing that—" Fiona's voice rose before she caught herself, aware of the curious stares around them."We will discuss this privately."
Without waiting for his response, she marched toward their chamber, her spine rigid with indignation.Connor followed, his boots heavy on the stone steps.
The moment their door closed behind them, Fiona whirled to face him."How dare ye humiliate Horas like that!He's done nothing but serve loyally, and ye treated him like a common cur!"
"Did I?"Connor's voice was deceptively calm, but she could see the storm building in his eyes."And what, exactly, was so important that ye needed to stand in the corridor whispering with him like...like..."
"Like what?"she demanded when he didn't finish.
"Like he has any right to be so familiar with ye!"The words exploded out of him, weeks of festering irritation finally breaking free."Damn it, Fiona, the man can barely let ye out of his sight!Every meal, every gathering, every bloody moment of our lives, there he is, hovering around ye like he owns ye."
Fiona stared at him, shocked by the vehemence in his voice."He's a friend!A reminder of home!"
"He's a man who looks at my wife like he wants to bed her!"Connor shouted, past caring who might hear."And ye're so bloody naive ye can't even see it!"
