“Aye, lass?”
“I would like your promise,” she said.
He cocked his head to the side. “What are you wanting me to promise?”
“I realize we’re newly married and I don’t fully know the way of things, but I’ve discovered I’m a very possessive woman. I want your promise that you’ll be faithful. I know ’tis common for some men to keep a leman—”
She was interrupted by Ewan’s scowl. Then he sighed.
“Lass, you’ve just thoroughly worn me out. Do you mind telling me how on earth I’d have the energy to bed another woman?”
She frowned. That wasn’t what she’d wanted to hear.
He sighed again. “Mairin, I took vows. I didn’t take them lightly. As long as you prove a good and faithful wife, there’s no reason for me to seek out another woman. I wouldn’t dishonor you or myself that way. Your loyalty is to me, aye, but my loyalty is to you and any children you bear me. I take my responsibilities very seriously.”
Tears crowded her eyes and she leaned down until their foreheads touched. “I’ll be faithful to you as well, Ewan.”
“You damned well better,” he growled. “I’ll kill any man who touches you.”
“Did you like me kissing you … down there …?”
He grinned and raised his lips to smooch hers. “I liked it very much. I may require you to kiss me there every single night before we retire.”
She frowned and punched him in the gut. He laughed and sucked inward in mock agony. He grabbed her wrists and rolled, careful not to jar her side. When they were on their sides, locked together, their faces so close she could feel his breath, he touched her cheek and rubbed with the back of his knuckle.
“And now, lass, I’m thinking I have some kissing of my own to do. Complete with tongue.”
She sucked in her breath until she saw spots dancing in her vision. “Tongue? Have I told you lately how indecent your tongue is, Laird?”
“It can’t get any more indecent than yours just got,” he said.
Then he proceeded to show her that indeed, he was far, far more indecent than she could ever dream of being.
CHAPTER 23
Ewan woke to a heavy pounding on his chamber door. Before he could rouse himself enough to answer the summons, the door burst open. Ewan was out of bed in the next instant, his hand on the floor and around the hilt of his sword.
“Jesu, Ewan, ’tis just me,” Caelen said. “You were sleeping the sleep of the dead.”
Ewan sat back on the bed and first pulled the furs up to shield Mairin’s nudity and then to shield his own. “Get the hell out of here,” he said irritably.
“If my presence offends your maidenly modesty, I’ll turn my back until you dress,” Caelen said.
“ ’Tis not mine I’m worried over,” Ewan snarled.
“Well, hell, Ewan, I can’t see the lass, nor am I looking. ’Tis important or I wouldn’t have breached your chamber.”
“Ewan?”
Mairin’s sleepy voice rose from the covers, and her head poked out. Her hair was all rumpled, her eyes droopy, and yet somehow she still managed to look adorable. Even though Caelen claimed not to be looking, Ewan caught his brother glancing Mairin’s way.
Ewan leaned over and brushed the hair from her face and then kissed her on the forehead. “Listen to me, sweeting. I want you to go back to sleep. You need your rest.”
She murmured something he couldn’t hear and snuggled back underneath the blankets. He touched her cheek one last time and then rolled out of bed to pull his clothing on.
He ordered Caelen into the hall until he was finished and then put on his boots and picked up his sword. With one final look in Mairin’s direction, he strode into the hall where Caelen fell into step with him.
“Sweeting? You need your sleep?” Caelen mimicked. “I think you’re missing your scrotum, brother.”
Ewan balled his fist and slammed it into Caelen’s jaw. Caelen went reeling and had to catch himself on the wall to keep from falling down the stairs.
“Well damn, Ewan. I have to say marriage doesn’t agree with you,” Caelen said, as he rubbed his jaw.
“I think it agrees with me just fine.”
As they entered the hall, Ewan saw Alaric stride in, his clothing dusty and lines of fatigue creasing his face.
“You dragged me from a warm bed for Alaric’s arrival?” Ewan asked.
“He said ’twas important. He sent a messenger ahead to summon you to meet him,” Caelen defended.
“Ewan,” Alaric called as he strode forward.
“What’s so urgent that you sent a messenger ahead of you?”