Chapter 2

Marcus stared, unseeing, at the troop reports in front of him. He’d offered to look over them for Darren, and now he was here, and he couldn’t focus on the words. He couldn’t stop thinking about Erin MacDougall.

He’d scarcely seen her, save at Keegan’s wedding, and now everything teased his memories of the past they shared, from the fire in the hearth, to the worn furniture of Darren’s study and the glass of scotch on the table in front of him.

Especially the scotch. The scent of it reminded him of the night out in the moonlight, when she’d knocked him on his back and lectured him after making it quite clear that she’d never consider him a potential partner for even a casual roll in the hay, let alone anything more.

It was the same night he’d realized that she was more interested in his brother than she would ever be in him, and that he would never want to seek out a partner for himself.

For a time, he’d been angry at her, but he’d come to realize she had been right. He couldn’t be angry at her for speaking the truth. Or for keeping him from making the same mistake his father had made. Since that night, he’d been careful to never drink more than two glasses of scotch or whiskey in an evening, less if he’d had a large amount of mead or beer with dinner. He hadn’t been drunk for seven years.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts and he lifted his head. “Come in.”

The door opened to reveal Erin, divested of armor, and wearing only a thin shirt and kilt. “Laird MacLean, I was wanting tae talk tae ye…” The words trailed off, and her cheeks turned crimson as she saw him. “Och, gods, I apologize. I thought this was the laird’s study…”

“It is. But I was after working over some o’ the reports for Darren.” Marcus waved her in. “And why were ye looking fer me brother?”

“’Tis nae important.” She shook her head. “But since ye’re here, there’s something I’ve been thinking tae say tae ye.” She took a deep breath. “I’ve been wanting tae apologize tae ye fer the things I said tae ye, out by the firth that one night. I wasnae happy, and I was fair embarrassed that ye saw me watching yer brother, but that was nae reason tae say the things I did tae ye.”

Her blush deepened. “Nor aye was there any call fer me tae be knocking ye ontae yer back like that. I kent ye werenae in the best o’ shape to stop me.”

Marcus blinked. Of all the things he’d expected, an apology wasn’t one of them. Then he realized that she was waiting for his answer. “Yer apology is accepted, but ye didnae need tae say it.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Ye were right. I was after being a drunkard, and acting like a fool. Ye set me straight.”

She smiled shyly. “Ye were acting a fool all right. And I can see ye’re still drinking.”

“Nae more than a glass or two.” Marcus felt a smile on his face, and offered her a glass. “There’s more in the bottle, if ye’d care tae join me.”

“I wouldnae like tae encourage yer bad behavior.”

“I ken that well enough, but if it was encouragement I wanted, I’d have already sought out a bit o’ company tae share me bed and taken meself tae it.”

“Och, well then... I wouldnae mind a dram.”

Marcus moved over to the side of the room and poured a second glass for her. When he turned back around, he was surprised to see that she’d relaxed, and was peering at the troop reports on the desk with cautious interest.

Was she worried that I was holding a grudge against her fer what she had said that night? I didnae realize. Well, ‘tis a burden I’m happy enough tae lift fer her.

He came back to stand beside her. Erin blushed again. “I didnae mean tae pry…”

“It isnae anything sensitive. And it might be o’ import tae ye. Darren and I were thinking o’ what sort o’ plans tae make in regards tae supporting yer clan. ‘Tis nae just the troops we have tae think o’ or managing the defense o’ MacLean Keep. Our biggest concern is getting them all across the firth without alerting Laird McCorcouodale.”

“Ye can bring them straight tae the harbor o’ MacDougall.” She found a map and drew a line from the harbor on MacLean lands to the corresponding one for her clan.

“Aye. But that willnae keep a watcher from seeing them coming, and even if we’re nae flying our colors, he may ken that there’s something being planned.” Marcus pointed a thin line. “Is this still the boundary o’ yer lands with the McCorcouodale territory?”

“Aye, though Laird Coire wishes it werenae. He’s been after the lands we hold fer a fair long time.”

It was as good a time as any to bring up what he’d noticed at dinner. “Is that why ye were after me brother’s attention?”

Erin flushed a color that would rival a rose. “Ye’re a right bastard.”

Marcus smirked at her. “Aye, I might well be, but I’m also the man who kens me brother best. I ken what he likes, and what he doesnae. I ken how tae gain his attention, and how tae hold it.”

Erin blinked at him, her rage faltering. “What are ye saying?”

“I’m saying that I may nae be a lass, but I ken a thing or two about seduction, wooing, and Darren. So, if ye’re true set on making me brother fall fer ye, so ye can marry him for a stronger alliance between our clans, then I can help ye succeed.”

She stared at him. “Ye’d help me seduce yer brother?”

“Aye. He could use a good woman in his life, and I ken full well that ye’re strong enough to stand beside him.” Erin didn’t need to know that helping her would be the death of his own dreams for courting her. Or that the idea of helping her fall in love with his brother was like a dagger to his heart. But it was true–he wanted Darren to be happy, so it would be better to put his childish dreams about Erin to sleep.

Erin looked away first. “I’m nae exactly the sort o’ woman who does a lot o’ courting, or seducing.”

Marcus swallowed hard and forced himself to adopt his normal lazy smile. “Doesnae matter, I’ve plenty o’ experience fer us both.”

Erin stared at Marcus, feeling slightly bewildered. The last thing she’d expected, when she’d realized it was Marcus instead of Darren in the study, was an offer of help in seducing the MacLean Laird. Her first thought was to dismiss the offer. But then she remembered her efforts at seduction at the dinner table.

I dae need the help, dinnae I?

She was no sort of seductress, and had no idea how to catch a man’s eye, for all that she was always being told she was beautiful. But Marcus was a well-known womanizer, with a reputation for being silver-tongued and skilled in all manner of courting techniques. He was also a man who knew how to seek and offer pleasure – things she knew nothing of, and information she would need if she was to truly succeed in her plans.

She might not want to ask him to give her training in the physical aspects of seduction, but whatever teaching he could impart, she knew it would aid her efforts.

She swallowed her pride, and her embarrassment. “Och, I suppose ye’d ken more on the matter o’ catching someone’s eye than I would. I’ve nae done much in that regard – too busy training tae be a warrior.”

He nodded agreeably. “’Tis an excellent skill tae have.”

Despite knowing she needed his help, she couldn’t help needling him a bit, looking for a bit of verbal sparring to ease her own discomfort. “I suppose ye’ve been training yer skills as a seducer. Yer reputation certainly gives that impression.”

He tipped his head, clear eyed and considering. “I suppose it would, at that. But there’s nae harm tae it, and I’ve never taken an unwilling lass tae me bed.”

“And ye dinnae worry about the reputation ye’ve gained as a rake? ‘Tis nae the most honorable o’ positions tae be in, and ‘tis nae going tae help ye if ye ever decide tae court a wife o’ yer own.” His easy relaxation and confidence were grating to her nerves.

Marcus frowned slightly, then dismissed her words with an easy shrug. “Ye’re nae wrong, but I’ve nae intention o’ seeking a wife any time in the near future, so ‘tis nae a particular problem. I’ll be happy enough tae see me brother well-settled with a lass who can care fer his needs, respect his wishes, and stand beside him. Better still if there’s affection between them, but then, ye’ve got that covered on yer side. And with me help, ye’ll have little trouble in earning his regard in turn.”

Erin fought the urge to grind her teeth, or throw something. She almost missed the man she’d so easily bested years ago. This sober, calm and controlled man she spoke to now was exasperating.

She noted his glass was empty, and reached for it. She was no kind of seductress, but she could at least pour a man a drink without spilling it and making a fool of herself.

To her surprise, he shook his head and moved the glass away. “Pour yerself a dram if ye like, but I’m done fer the night.”

“I dinnae recall ye being so restrained with yer liquor, or is it just that ye’ve learned tae hold it better?” She blinked at him. It was obvious he wasn’t drunk.

“Och, I ken well enough what ye recall o’ me. But these days, I dinnae drink more than two glasses o’ scotch between dinner and bed, and nae that much if I’ve had more tae drink in the course o’ the day.”

It was a rare man who exercised such self-control, and a far cry from the man she’d known seven years ago. “I’m surprised. What brought ye tae exercise such self-control?”

Marcus gave her a soft, slightly bitter smile. “’Tis me business tae ken, tae be aware o’ of our battle plans and yer plans tae win me brother’s heart.”

She couldn’t help the growl that escaped her throat. “Ye’re a fair exasperating man, Marcus MacLean, and I swear I dinnae ken whether I ought tae slap ye or thank ye... or dump the bottle over yer head.”

Marcus laughed. “I ken, but even so, we’re allies. And mayhap that’s enough tae be getting on with?” He shrugged. “We’ll be fighting taegether and planning taegether, lass, nae reason we cannae make that and our mutual tendency tae argue intae a friendship o’ a kind.”

“Friendship?”

“Aye.” Marcus rolled his shoulders and rose to stretch, showing off his lean frame with a casual grace she wished she could emulate when she was flirting with a man. “If ye’re tae try and wed me brother, then we’ll be kin-by-marriage, and I’d prefer tae maintain an amiable relationship with me kinfolk. I’ve had plenty o’ time seeing what enmity can do among kinfolk, whether ‘tis blood or other bonds that bring them taegether.”

There was a story there, and she recalled hearing a rumor that his younger brother had disappeared for some years, only to return and reconcile with Darren and Marcus shortly before the end of their feud with Ranald Clan and Keegan MacLean’s marriage to the Stewart lass.

She also realized, with a start, that for all she liked arguing with Marcus and felt continually exasperated by him, she also felt more comfortable with him than she did with many of her own clan. He gave her none of the judging looks she was used to seeing from men who thought she should know her place and behave more like a lass than a warrior. More than that, he listened to her, and made her feel as if her opinions were actually being heard and valued.

Her father had never forbidden her a warrior’s training, knowing he had Rowan and Lyla to secure alliances and make good marriages for. But neither had he encouraged her, or treated her like a proper warrior of his clan.

Marcus made her feel comfortable in her own skin. And that, oddly enough, was what was setting her on edge.

He was still waiting for her response. She nodded. “Mayhap ye’re right. But for now, ‘tis best we both be getting some rest. There’s work tae be done taemorrow, and we’ll be better served tae have clear heads.”

“Aye. Especially if we’re makin’ plans fer ye tae seduce me brother.” He smirked at her. She gave him a dirty look and turned on her heel.

And if she lingered in the hallway to let the cooler air chase the heat from her cheeks... well, that was no business of Marcus MacLean’s.