Chapter 16

“We can only pray for their safe return,” Catreena said, a line forming between her brows.

“What I would nae have given tae have had Evander and Dunn fightin’ beside us last night,” Bran confided. “But as it was, we did very well with our new, wee warrior here.” He beamed at Kira, who felt her cheeks blushing as four sets of eyes turned to her. “She’s a grand fighter all right; she put down two of those men hersel’. I was right proud tae fight alongside her, and I’m prouder still tae call her sister.”

“Och, thank ye, Bran, but will ye stop? Ye’re embarrassin’ me,” Kira complained with a chuckle. “I’m a lassie, ’tis true, but I’m trained tae fight just like ye and Alec. Of course, I was nae gonnae turn tail and run at the prospect of a wee fight now, was I? At any rate, ’tis me duty as Lady Mackintosh tae dae all I can tae protect all members of me new clan. Even ye.”

They all burst out laughing at that, including Bran. “I’m only tellin’ the truth; ye’re a grand wee warrior, Kira,” he declared, delighting her by leaning over to plant a kiss on her cheek. “I hope we’ll fight together again sometime, once me arm gets back intae shape, eh? I really want tae thank ye fer all ye did last night tae aid us.”

“Hold on there just a wee minute, braither,” Alec protested, clearly suppressing a grin. “’Tis all very well thankin’ the lady here, but what about me, yer own braither? D’ye nae think I deserve some praise and thanks as well fer savin’ yer skin?”

“Aye, I suppose ye were of some use,” Bran retorted laughingly, “but as ye’re me braither and therefore bound tae help me, excuse me if I’m more impressed by yer wife’s fighting abilities.”

“I’m nae havin’ that,” Alec declared with false umbrage. “Are ye sayin’ that this wee lassie here,” he glanced at Kira, “is better in a fight then me?”

“Och, please, dinnae dae it, Alec,” Kira moaned, putting her face in her hands, guessing what he was angling for at once. To her chagrin, the others seemed to find her reaction hilarious. All except her husband, who, when she looked up, was looking at her with a challenging glint in his eyes.

“Ye said it, nae me, Alec,” Bran replied, chortling, clearly enjoying himself. “But if ye choose tae take offence over it, then ye’d best dae roposing’ tae prove ye can best the little spitfire ye married.”

“Ach, he’ll nae best me,” Kira said firmly, Alec’s challenging look awaking her competitive spirit.

“I’ll remind ye of the last time we had a fight,” Alec told her. “Who won then, eh?”

“I admit ye won that round, but ye were nae fighting in a dress and stays, which gave ye a natural advantage.”

The others laughed.

“I’m nae proposin’ on a dress and stays tae fight ye if that’s what ye’re proposin’,” Alec rejoindered.

“I’d love tae see Alec caperin’ about in one of Kira’s gowns,” Catreena said as she and Ilyssa giggled at the idea.

“Aye, it would be the funniest thing all year!” Ilyssa cried, snorting with laughter. “He’d be bustin’ out all over the place.”

“Nay, that would be truly terrifyin’, and he looks scary enough already,” Kira joked, unable to stop herself from joining in their giggling when she saw the look of pretend fury on Alec’s face.

“Ach, he’s nae scary at all,” Bran declared, shaking his head at Alec. “Now, Kira, if ye want tae see which of us Mackintosh braithers is the most terrifyin’, then ye need tae see our Evander. On the battlefield, there have been enemies that have taken one look at him, dropped their weapons, and run fer home.”

“I look forward tae meetin’ him,” Kira said, truthfully, curious about this monstrous Mackintosh she had yet to meet.

“Evander is a freak of nature,” Alec put in, clearly having a hard job suppressing his mirth, unlike the others. “I dinnae compare meself tae him. Bairns dinnae run away when they see me comin’.” He winked at Kira as he said it, making her surer than ever that he was up to something. “Kira kens who’d win in any fight with me.”

There it was: the challenge. And Kira could not resist rising to it. “Be it on yer own head, Alec Mackintosh. If ye wantae be beaten fair and square in yer own hall, by yer own wife, ye’re goin’ the right way about it. But let me remind ye, ye have a bad injury. It wouldnae be a fair fight because I’d be bound tae win.”

“That injury is nae but a scratch,” Alec declared with mock affront. “I’d beat ye any way.”

Kira stared at him, but he only grinned at her. “Well, seein’ as ye’re so cocky, I’d hate tae disappoint ye. I accept yer challenge,” she told him, hands on hips.

The table erupted into applause and hoots of excitement, while Alec rubbed his hands in obvious glee.

“Clear a space, there’s a fight tae be had!” he shouted with enthusiasm, getting up from the table and helping Kira from her chair. The other diners below paused to watch the proceedings with interest as Alec instructed the servants to move some of the tables and make room for him and Kira to take each other on.

When a clear space about ten feet square had been cleared, the pair stepped into it, eyeing each other. Gripped by excitement and the determination to win this time, Kira took a deep breath and kilted up her skirts, flashing a good deal of stockinged leg. This brought cheers from among the company, some of whom were leaving their tables and gathering around to watch the spectacle of the laird fighting his wife.

“She’s cheatin’ already!” Alec accused, pointing at her legs and laughing. “She’s tryin’ tae distract me with her ankles.” His claim elicited gales of laughter from all who could see.

“What are we fightin’ fer?” Kira asked. “There should be a prize of some sort.”

“Good question. What are we fightin’ fer?” Alec replied, rubbing his stubbled chin thoughtfully.

“Why nae make a wager?” Catreena suggested gaily from the sidelines. “How about ye spar, and whoever puts the other down first wins, and the winner gets one wish the other must grant.”

“Perfect. I agree tae the terms,” Alec said, grinning at Kira so wolfishly, she immediately divined the saucy nature of his wish should he beat her. Tingles ran down her spine at the thought. Still, she had a few ideas of her own regarding what she might demand of him, and it made her all the more determined to beat him.

“That’s fair. All right,” she said to general expressions of delight.

The opponents shook hands, dropped into their defensive stances, and Bran, the self-appointed referee, declared the fight was on!

“Come on, Kira, put him on the floor. Ye have tae beat him so ye can make him wear yer dress as yer wish!” Ilyssa shouted encouragingly from her position at Bran’s side.

Quiet fell over the hall as Kira and Alec began circling each other. Kira felt calm and determined, with the will to win strong inside her as she faced her husband. She watched him carefully, knowing that, just like her, Alec was looking for an inroad, any slight weakness that could be exploited. He would try to knock her off balance and get her down on the floor as soon as he could.

At lightning speed, he lunged at her, but she skipped aside, elbowing him in the kidneys on the way through.

“Ach, nae so hard, woman, yer fightin’ an injured man, remember!” Alec cried out, laughing and clutching his kidneys in pretend agony. His arm darted out again, as if he would grab her by the waist. Once again, making a minimal movement aside, she avoided his grasp, but the slight blow she aimed at his belly was turned aside by his free arm. Perspiration broke out on her forehead as she sprang backwards a few paces, knowing that if he got hold of her, she was finished.

“Come on then, husband, I thought we were supposed tae be fightin’ nae dancin’,” she taunted him playfully, avoiding another of his feints, blocking his arm with her own before dropping low and trying to kick his leg out from under him with her own.

He laughed as the spectators roared their approval, which spurred her on. Again and again, Alec’s arms came snaking out, snatching at her, but each time she danced aside, managing to stay out of his reach. The lascivious gleam in his eyes intensified as they continued to circle each other warily, making Kira hotter still as she imagined the forfeit he might have in store for her.

She thought she saw her opportunity to shake him when Alec’s left arm arced above her in what she imagined was a feint, while he grabbed at her with his right, leaving a small opening for her to slip into. Reacting on instinct, Kira skillfully blocked his left arm, pushing her weight against it to drive Alec backwards and make him lose his balance.

In a split second, she darted in beneath his arm, knocking the other aside with her body and landing a fast, winding punch to his belly, hoping she was fast enough that he would be so winded, he would be unable to catch her with his free arm before she was gone.

The crowd roared their approval as she breezed beneath his arm and hit him hard in the back with the point of her elbow before emerging behind him, spinning on her toes, poised to attack again. She smiled, thinking she had gotten away with it.

But suddenly, an iron hand that seemed to come out of nowhere gripped her right wrist. Before she could react other than to try to get free, she found herself being helplessly jerked backwards. Then, she found herself staring into Alec’s animated, sweat-sheened face… before he landed a resounding kiss on her lips.

Laughter and hooting from the spectators rang in her ears. Disoriented by the kiss, she could do nothing to prevent it when she felt Alec’s leg whip around hers and sweep it from beneath her. With a small scream, grabbing at him, she tumbled to the floor.

Alec tumbled after her and pinned her down, laughing delightedly as he scattered kisses over her face. The crowd cheered and clapped all around them, and Kira glimpsed Catreena, Ilyssa, and Bran, all laughing with tears of mirth running down their cheeks.

“That was cheatin’,” she cried accusingly at Alec, slightly mortified by his ruse yet amused, nevertheless.

“Was it? Nae more than ye flashin’ yer legs at me. Besides, I never promised tae play by the book,” he whispered in her ear, his warm breath sending shivers down her spine.

“I have nae choice but tae declare the laird the winner, by foul means rather than fair,” Bran roared to the excited gathering.

Alec got to his feet and helped Kira up as well before taking her in his arms and swinging her around. She could not help laughing at his exuberance despite his cheating.

“So, ye’ve won the wager. What are you gonnae wish fer?” she asked him so no one else could hear.

He pinned her with a heated gaze. “I’m thinkin’ about it,” he murmured mysteriously. “I’ll let ye ken when I’ve decided.”

“Ach, ye’re nae gonnae leave me on tenterhooks like this! Ye’ve already cheated, and now ye want tae keep me in suspense. ’Tis nae fair.” Kira batted at him with her hand, laughing yet tense with anticipation at what he might ask of her.

“But that’s half the fun,” he whispered and kissed her again.

The diners returned, entertained, to their dinners, and the rest of the evening passed very pleasantly at the laird’s table. Kira received many congratulations on her fighting abilities and laughing commiserations for being beaten by such a low ruse. Ilyssa professed to be very disappointed that Alec had won by cheating and would not, therefore, be made to dress up in one of Kira’s gowns for their entertainment. Alec shrugged off all criticism, apparently tickled by his own ingenuity.

His high spirits were infectious, and Kira was in a happy mood when they all decided to retire for the evening and headed off to their respective chambers. She and Alec mounted the staircase along with Catreena, Ilyssa, and Bran.

“I dinnae care how much ale ye’ve had,” Ilyssa was playfully scolding Bran, “ye’re drinkin’ yer willow bark tea whether ye like it or nae.”

“I’ll help ye hold him down if ye like, Ilyssa,” Catreena offered, giggling.

“Alec, will ye nae come and help yer poor, injured braither? These wee vixens are runnin’ me ragged,” Bran complained.

“Ye’ll be lucky, man,” Alec told him, putting up his hands defensively. “I’m nae messin’ with those two. I’ve got enough on me hands. Ye’ll just have tae dae as ye’re told until ye’re strong enough tae fight them off.”

“Dinnae look tae him fer help,” Kira told Bran. “He’s gonnae be drinkin’ his own cup of willow tea in a minute as well.” She cackled at Alec’s expression of horror.

“I’ll nae drink any more of that muck,” Alec protested, taking her in his arms as they walked along. Kira put her arms around his waist and squeezed him tightly, overflowing with adoration for her husband.

“We’ll see about that,” she replied.

Suddenly, she felt Alec’s breath tickling her ear, and he whispered, “D’ye ken, me wee hinny… if our family were nae here right now and couldnae see us, I’d rip off every stitch of clothin’ ye’re wearin’ and have me wicked way with ye here in the hallway?”

A quiver of exquisite excitement shot through Kira’s body like quicksilver at the thought of him ravishing her in the hallway. In addition, the way he had said ‘our family’ made her insides glow with warmth and love for him.

“Good night, everybody, sleep well,” she said loudly, steering Alec bodily into their chambers even before the others had even finished saying their good nights.