She arched her eyebrows at him.“None of them? Ever?”
He started to say no but stoppedhimself. “My brothers and Rory Mac,” he admitted. “But they never challenge myorders in public. Only in private.”
She grinned. “Then if I everchallenge one of your orders, may I do so in private, as well?”
He liked very much how sweetlyshe’d asked and had not demanded it. “Aye,” he agreed easily. “But,” hecontinued, wanting to make sure she understood, “I may nae concur with yerargument, and if that’s the case, ye’ll simply have to accept my choice, as doall my brothers and Rory Mac. I dunnae give orders without great thought,Marion, and today’s order to tell ye to stay in yer bedchamber was for yersafety.”
She inhaled a shaky breath. “Iknow, and I’m sorry.”
He kissed her on her forehead. “I’msorry, too.”
“Thank you,” she burst out andcircled his waist once more to hug him.
He grinned down at the top of herhead. His wife was very affectionate, and he liked it very much, and he’d likeit even more when they were alone. With that thought in mind, he unwound herarms, took her hand, and opened the bedchamber door. The maid, who had beensitting doing embroidery, hurried to her feet, her eyes wide. “My lord, I—”
He held up his hand. “I ken ye werecommanded to feign being in here. The matter has been settled to mysatisfaction, and I dunnae blame ye. Ye may go.”
The woman did not hesitate. Sherushed past them, nearly tripping in her haste to get out the door. When thedoor shut, Marion giggled. “I feel awful for causing her worry,” she said,contradicting her laughter.
“Ye dunnae seem to feel awful.”
“I do,” she said, smotheringanother laugh. “But when she looked like a fearful child, I could not help butthink of how silly I must have looked trying to hide from you in thecourtyard.”
Iain chuckled. “Aye, ye did looksilly when ye knew I’d seen ye.”
“I was afraid,” she admitted.
“Why?” he asked, turning her towardhim and threading his hands into her hair. “Would yer father’s consequenceshave been great?”
“Yes,” she whispered, her eyestaking on a faraway look.
“Marion, I will never hurt ye.”
She nodded quickly, but her eyesstill appeared haunted. He wanted to wipe away those bad memories and replacethem with new, happy ones. Hopefully, they could start now. “I want ye in mybed and my arms tonight, but if ye’re too sore from last night or today—”
“I want to be in your bedchambertonight, Iain,” Marion said in a shy whisper. Iain’s heart jolted as desireovercame him.
He gazed at his beautiful, batteredwife. “I suppose I should keep ye near me to keep ye out of trouble.”
She grinned at his words. “Isuppose you should.” Her voice was full of contentment, which pleased himmightily. They quickly left her bedchamber, and as he opened the door to hisown, she said, “I always knew following my own mind would have benefitssomeday.”
He started to reply when a throatwas cleared behind him. He turned to find a young maid. She curtsied. “My lord,the MacLean bid meseeif ye needed anything.He thought ye might be alone and need help bathing yer back,” she said, battingher eyelashes at Iain.
Marion stiffened beside him. Hefought the desire to grin. He liked that his wife was jealous. He liked it verymuch, indeed. It showed she cared for him, though he didn’t care for thethought that she would believe he’d ever be untrue to her. “My wife will bathemy back,” he said gently, so as not to embarrass the girl for simply followingAlex’s orders.
Marion plunked her hands on herhips. “You can let all the maids know that I’ll be the only one to ever bathethe MacLeod’s back again.” She glared at him, as if he’d implied otherwise.Then she whipped her gaze back to the stunned maid. “And make sure to tell yourlaird, as well,” Marion snapped.
The woman’s face went pale. “Yes,my lady.”
Marion offered her a sweet smile.“I’m not angry with you, so please do not be worried. Truly, I’m a nice person.I really don’t even have a temper.”
“Yes, my lady,” the maid said again,giving Marion a dubious look.
Iain’s side ached with the desire tolaugh. He cleared his throat. “It seems I cause it in her. She’s verra jealousof me,” he said to the young woman as she backed out the door. He shut itbehind her, and when he turned around, Marion was frowning at him.
“Why did you have to tell her thatI’m jealous of you?”
He did laugh then as he reached outand pulled Marion against the length of his body. He brushed a bit of her loosehair out of her eyes. “Because ye are. And she’ll forgive jealousy but naemeanness.”
