Marion choked out a laugh. “Wespoke of this before, Iain. It does not work that way.”
“It does in the clan, Marion. Ye’lllearn.”
She refused to argue. She knew he’ddone it out of concern for her, and that part made her happy.
He leaned in and kissed her full onthe mouth. “Now we need to discuss Froste. Did ye see anyone or hear anythingwhen ye were by the water?”
She nodded, anxiety twisting in herstomach. “I saw two of his men, and I heard them talking. I was attempting toescape their attention when I fell and hit my head, and when I awoke, I saw thetorches and presumed more of them had arrived. I didn’t know it was you andyour men, so I tried to run back to the castle to warn you.”
“I thought as much,” he said, hismouth setting in a hard, angry line.
A sudden chill took her at thememory, and she rubbed her hands up and down her arms. “They were sent to finda way into the castle.”
“Oh, aye? So as to kill me firstwhen they attack,” he said, matter-of-fact.
She took a quick, sharp breath.“How did you know that?”
“I’m laird, Marion. ’Tis my duty token my enemies. Beyond that, it makes sense. Even if they take ye against mywill, they need me dead so Froste can marry ye. I think their aim on Alex’sland was to get ye back before the marriage was consummated, and now”—hegrinned—“they rightly suppose it has been. Now they must get ye back and killme.”
She studied him, trying todetermine what he was thinking, but he’d lowered the mask he so often wore.“Are you not worried?”
“Nay. Froste should be, though.When he comes for me, I’ll be waiting. And ready.”
Menace wrapped around his words andmade her shudder. “What will you do?”
“Kill him,” he replied, as if itwould be so simple and not dangerous for him at all.
Iain stood, stretched, and startedtoward the door. Marion clamped her jaw shut as she watched him until he turnedthe door handle and her mind registered that he was actually leaving the room.“Where are you going?”
He faced her. “To ready my men,” hesaid, as if it were obvious. He studied her long and hard. “Go back to sleep.”
“I’m not tired,” she protested.
“Ye are. There are dark smudgesunder yer eyes.”
“They are under yours, as well.Perchance you should come to bed with me?”
A smile tugged at his lips. “Averra tempting suggestion, but I’ve yet to deal with the watchman who fellasleep and failed to sight Froste’s ship.”
Worry quickened her breath. “Whatwill you do to him?”
“His error almost cost ye yer life.He’ll go.”
She frowned. “Go where?”
“Out of the clan, Marion.”
“What?” She scrambled out of thebed and nearly tripped into Iain’s arms. “Do you always banish men from yourclan when they do something wrong?”
“Nay, but no one has ever doneanything that almost cost me ye. I kinnae forgive it.”
Her heart swelled that she meant somuch to him, but he was being unreasonable. She had to make him see it.“Please, Iain.” She ran her hand lightly down his chest. “Be kind and patientwith him. For me?”
“What would ye have me do?” heasked, his voice pitching low with what she now knew was desire.
That was a good question. Her mindraced to come up with an answer he’d accept. “Remove him from his post and puthim in a lesser position.”
“Such as?” He quirked his eyebrowsat her. “I kinnae trust him.”
