She looked at him startled. “You should be. Many times friendly clans turn unfriendly and when strangers linger in the area or stranger after stranger show up, then it should be an alert that someone is scouting your home for a possible attack.”
“A good point,” Artair admitted. “Tell us more.”
“My wife needs to rest,” Lachlan said.
“This is important, Alyce,” Cavan said. “I would prefer to discuss it now, but if you are too tired—”
“You’re right, it is important,” she agreed. “It needs to be discussed now.”
Lachlan was about to object when he saw his wife’s face brighten with delight. He could see how excited she was that Cavan actually respected her opinion and he himself was proud of her.
“I feel fine, Lachlan, so no need to worry,” Alyce said and then returned her attention to the display table.
Lachlan stood speechless. He had not expected his wife to consider what he thought. Yet she took a moment to assure him, knowing he would be concerned. She had considered him and that not only stunned him, but pleased him.
He, his brothers, and his wife were soon converged over the table, listening and sharing opinions with Alyce’s suggestions making the most sense. Soon the stones and pebbles were rearranged and the three men nodded their approval.
“You’re right,” Artair said. “That is a much better plan of defense and attack if necessary.”
“I also suggest you change your sentry stations,” Alyce said and detailed where and why.
Cavan continued nodding. “You make good points. I’ll see to those changes immediately.”
“You are a remarkable strategist,” Artair said. “I’d be interested in discussing more with you.”
“Another time,” Lachlan said, slipping up behind his wife and wrapping his arms around her waist. “She needs to rest.” He was prepared for her to protest, since she appeared to be enjoying herself, but she surprised him.
“My husband is right,” Alyce said, caressing her protruding stomach. “His son grows restless, which means he wishes me to rest. Besides I wish to be refreshed for our guests tonight.”
“Septimus and his men will be welcomed as your friend,” Cavan assured her.
“I know,” she said. “If I doubted your intentions I would have never showed you the error of your battle tactics against him.”
Lachlan gently urged her away from the table, feeling enough had been said on the matter. But after only a few feet he was surprised when she stopped and turned around.
“Another thing you should be aware of, Cavan. The men you sent to trail me lack in skill, but don’t feel bad, Septimus’s men weren’t much better.”
Lachlan scooped up his wife in his arms and hurried from the room before another rousing debate could start between the pair.
Chapter 33
“Don’t waste your time arguing or chastising me for my actions,” Alyce said, slipping her arms around Lachlan’s neck after he deposited her feet on the floor in his bedchamber. She favored the feel of the strong corded muscles in his neck and often allowed her fingers to linger there.
“And why is that?” he asked, resting his hands at the curve of her hip.
His simple touch felt more intimate, or perhaps that is what she wanted from him…intimacy. Lovemaking with her husband was something she thoroughly enjoyed and something they did often. It had not suffered because of disagreements. Rather it had grown stronger bonding them more closely than ever.
When they made love, nothing came between them. They simply surrendered to each other, and Alyce had never felt so safe and secure than at those moments. It was then she knew how very much he loved her and always would.
“Because it will do you no good,” she said and tenderly pressed her lips to his and sighed with pleasure.
“Keep that up and you know what will happen.”
“I’m counting on it,” she whispered before kissing him with a firmness that left no doubt she wanted more from him.
“You need to rest,” he said, concerned after ending the fiery kiss.
“I will sleep better if you make love to me and—” Her hand drifted beneath his plaid, settling around his hardness, and she smiled. “It’s obvious you want me.”
“I always want you, you witch,” he said teasingly. “I look at you and I grow hard.”
“And you touch me and I grow wet,” she murmured and stroked the length of him.
“Damn,” he muttered. “You make me lose my senses.”
“I’d rather you lose control.”
“It’s not nice to challenge me.”