He wanted to say fabulously annoyed, but seeing the level of delight in her face, he realized his carefully prepared lecture would have little effect. “I am well, milady, though somewhat troubled that you left the keep without letting Brodie or me know.”
Makenna blushed at the light censure. “My apologies. It was not at all intentional, I assure you. I had a matter of some import with Camus this morning, and I totally forgot to let you know where I was going. However, I would like to make it up to you.”
Gorten snorted and crossed his arms. She was playing her bewitching games again, and this time with full force. He had half a mind to order her back to the solar and have Brodie fetch the laird. The other half of his mind was curious to know her proposal.
His mouth moved only slightly, but it was enough for Makenna to know she had some room to influence the stern guardsman. “Let me go fetch my Secret, and I shall meet you at the stables. How would you like to spar with me on this fine and glorious day!”
Gorten hated to admit it, and would never do so aloud, but he had missed training with Makenna. She was not a strong opponent, but she was skilled and sneaky with a sword. Sparring with her improved his speed and his ability to think and predict movements. “I shall escort you to the tower and then to the stables,” Gorten answered gruffly.
Makenna did not mind; she knew Gorten was as eager as she was to partake in her version of a relaxing and fulfilling day.
“You missed!” Makenna teased as she dodged yet another strike of his sword.
At first Gorten had decided to engage her lightly, believing time might have slowed her reflexes and ability to fight. He had been wrong. They both knew he was the stronger of the two, but Makenna’s ability to think and outstrategize made her a tough opponent.
Colin watched from afar as the two circled around each other fighting for supremacy. He had never actually observed Makenna spar with anyone before. Soon after he arrived at Lochlen, he had heard of her peculiar interest and her purported talent and immediately ordered his men to end all activity involving Makenna and any lethal object. It seemed she had secretly recruited a few to continue her training, and now he could see why. Never did he dream his wife could wield a claymore with such dexterity. Most women could not even lift one let alone hold and battle with it for long periods.
Gorten was an excellent soldier. One of Colin’s best. Not only was he skilled at riding and fighting, but he was not easily swayed. Once Gorten made a decision, he never deterred from it. It was for those reasons he had been selected to protect Makenna from harm.
Makenna’s laughter drifted to the lone cluster of trees hiding Colin from her view. The sound haunted him; filling him with a physical hunger he thought to have assuaged that morning.
Swords clanked. Makenna turned, easily maintaining her balance where larger men might have fallen. She was self-assured in her abilities, but not overconfident. Her verbal banter was partially a ploy to throw off her opponent and catch him unawares. This was obviously not the first time Gorten had clashed swords with his wife, for he seemed to understand her tactics and countered them. Gorten was also tiring faster than Makenna.
Colin watched his guard advance, deflect, attack, and then retreat. Protecting Makenna had actually improved Gorten’s cunning, but it had seriously reduced his stamina for swordplay. Gorten most likely could still outfight most of his men, but that fact would not remain true if he didn’t have the opportunity to rebuild his strength. Makenna could keep Gorten’s agility alive, but she could not improve his power.
Another crash of metal echoed throughout the hills. Makenna deflected a strike and then spun around, sending dust flying into the air as she aimed for Gorten’s side. He jumped out of the way, slicing her sword down and kicking up further dirt. Then she did something unexpected. Instead of stepping back to ensure that she remained steady, she moved forward, twisting her arms back up. It threw Gorten off balance. Somehow, their limbs hooked together, and Makenna came crashing down with Gorten falling full length on top of her. Dust flew up into the air and took its time settling back to the ground.
Colin could see nothing but a cloud of dirt for a moment, but he heard their laughter. They were practically in hysterics. Makenna sounded so happy, so at ease. And though he knew it to be irrational, he wanted to be the cause behind her free, jubilant laugh.
Colin moved toward them, deciding the one-on-one session was over. When he was halfway across the clearing, the dust had settled enough to reveal their positions. Raw fury exploded.
Jealousy, hot and dark, pumped through him, racing over his nerve endings. Makenna was his. No man was ever to know what it felt like to have her beneath him. They belonged to each other and no one else.
Makenna’s eyes widened in surprise upon seeing Colin. She was about to shout a greeting when her eyes locked with his. Fear rushed through her. Colin looked ready to kill.
“Gorten, I think you better get up,” she murmured, never taking her eyes off of Colin. His expression was dark and stone-hard.
Gorten smiled, still recovering from his fit of laughter. “I suppose you are right. This new move of yours still needs work.”
Gorten was still talking when he felt someone grab him by the shoulders and throw him aside as if he weighed nothing. Reaching for his sword to attack the unknown assailant, Gorten felt a sheathed foot slam down hard on his hand. He looked up and realized who and why he had been assaulted.
“Laird, I did not hear you approach,” he managed to say, trying hard to keep his voice level. He had disgraced himself enough already this day. He would not show pain to his laird.
“I believe you were too busy rolling on the ground with my wife.” There was no mistaking the wrath about to be unleashed on Gorten.
Makenna quickly stood and tried to deflect Colin’s attention off her guard, who feared to move or even stand. “Take your anger out on me, Colin McTiernay. Gorten has been a loyal soldier to you. We were only sparring. Nothing more.”
He knew she spoke the truth. He had witnessed it. But he could not erase the vision of Gorten lying on top of her…laughing. “I saw how he has been loyal to me.”
Gorten remained motionless. One word spoken out of place, and his life would end. Makenna must have sensed that as well.
“How dare you!” Makenna admonished through her teeth. She struggled for composure. Adrenaline pumped through her, and she began to tremble violently.
Colin took a step back. Blue pools of fury shifted from Gorten back to her. “How dare I?”
Gorten took the chance to stand.
Without even looking in his direction, Makenna ordered, “Leave now, Gorten. I am about to fight with my husband and would like to do so in private. Please make sure no one comes within hearing distance of this clearing.” Makenna’s chin came up angrily, her green eyes sparkling with equal intensity, daring him to counter her order.
“Gorten!” Colin yelled without removing his eyes from Makenna. Very carefully, fully aware of his tightly leashed anger and its absurdity, he called out, “Leave, and do your lady’s bidding.” Then much more quietly Colin added, “For she is right. We are about to fight,” he growled through compressed lips.
With Gorten gone, Makenna hoped Colin would calm and become more rational. He looked both menacing—and thoroughly male. She wanted the chance to explain her innocence and then throw herself into his arms and kiss all his doubts away.
Her hope died a quick death.
Gorten might be gone, but their quarrel was not over. Colin’s pride had been injured just as deeply as a sword could do to the flesh. It would not be mended with the mere disappearance of one man.
“So this is what you have been doing while I was away. I am surprised you had the energy for me upon my return. Or maybe I should consider myself fortunate to have a wife with such stamina.”