A Perfect Wife(47)

“Now that we have exchanged pleasantries, I wish to have my wife.”

“You will come forward and I will give you your wife.”

“She is to be brought onto the land first. Carefully.”

Ross smirked. “What, ye dinna trust me?”

“In a word, nay.”

“Put her up there,” said Ross to his guard, who picked her up as if she weighed nothing.

She made no sound as she was carried out of the boat and set on shore. He pointed, motioning for her to walk. She hurried as far up the beach as she could before the trees while he returned to his position. She clasped her hands in front of her trembling body as Ramsay approached her. His face and body were relaxed, hands low with fingers spread, palms down. As Malcolm turned back to Ross he thought perhaps the keeper did it to prove he wouldn’t slap or punch her.

“You have your wife, Laird Kinrowan.” Ross spoke the title as if it were a curse. “Now I will have you.”

He beckoned for Malcolm to move forward. Malcolm let his hands fall into the open pouches of his plaid but didn’t move his feet.

“Come here so my man can bind your hands,” ordered Ross.

“Ramsay, show her face.” Malcolm watched Ross, not the keeper. All three men, Ross, his guard, and the man in the boat, gaped in shock.

“Aye, she is not Kiera MacKenzie,” said Malcolm without looking at her. “We got her back safely while ye were still in yer bed, drunk as a sot. So I willna be going with ye.”

“Seize him!”

Malcolm dipped his hands and pulled out his whips. Keeping his body relaxed, he put himself into the throw from his feet on the sand, through his body to his arms rising over his head as the whips uncurled. Before Ross could do more than open his eyes in fear the cracker popped against the hollow under his left cheekbone. Blood spurted as a piece of flesh exploded. Seconds later the right side of his face matched. Malcolm continued the flow, cracking his whips behind him and forward again.

Ross screamed and fell to his knees. Once more the whips struck, popping like a bullet shot to either side of his head.

His guard hauled his sword and rushed forward with a bellow. Malcolm heard the swish of the Kinrowan’s keeper’s knife pass him before it embedded itself into the guard, who collapsed on the sand.

Ross scrabbled backward on his hands and knees before rising and stumbling to the boat, which was already being shoved into the water by the wide-eyed rower.

Malcolm, calm and relaxed, followed them, whips still snapping. He set one to touch Ross’s arse in encouragement. Another scream showed he’d hit his mark. The thick plaid meant there’d likely be no wound, but he’d feel the welt for days.

Ross staggered to the boat. Knee-deep in water, he fell more than climbed in. The man left his laird where he'd fallen and frantically rowed. His oars skipped a few times in his panic, splashing the laird, who howled in outrage and pain.

“You’ll be scarred for what is left of yer miserable life,” yelled Malcolm, whips still snapping around him like lightning. “All will ken those marks and see a coward. And if ye come near my wife or my clan again, I’ll find ye and cut chunks of flesh from yer cock same as I did yer face!”

With Ross gone he made a show of his battle technique, popping the tips in a circle all around him. As each was six feet long his safe zone was an eighteen foot wide circle. He showed his accuracy by touching on stones that shot toward the retreating boat.

Ross found his seat. He pressed a hand to each cheek. “King James will hear of this!” he shrieked.

“Aye, for I’ll be sending him a note myself, as will the Lord of Kintail. Ye’ll soon be back in Tantallon Castle, a guest of the Douglas!”

It was no idle boast. King James had been furious at Ross’s violence and lack of scruples, forcing his clansmen to fight with no regard for the law. James had finally released him with the agreement he would live peacefully. Kidnapping Kiera proved Ross had no intention of doing so.

Point made, Malcolm let his whips fall behind him. He left them hanging over his shoulders and dropped his head.

It was over.

He shook, an aftermath of his fear of losing Kiera, lack of sleep, and getting the revenge he so desperately wanted.

Kiera was safe, as was the boy. Ross would, no doubt, continue to harass Clan MacKenzie, but he would not attack Kinrowan again. Malcolm could return to Kiera. Now that she was safe and Ross banished, he had a few things to say to his wife.

“I told Kiera to be careful,” he growled at the keeper.

“Aye, but ye didna wish to worry her on the first day ye let her out.” Ramsay sent a glare after Ross. “Mayhaps if ye told her of the danger from boats this wouldna have happened.”