Saving Grace

"I was helping Auggie dig holes."

"I do not want my wife to dirty her hands."

He sounded as though he was giving her an important commandment. Her husband appeared to be more than just a little irritated with her.

"But I have just explained…"

"My wife does not do common tasks."

She was exasperated. "Have you more than one, m'lord?"

"More than one what?"

"Wife."

"Of course not."

"Then it would appear that your wife does indeed get her hands dirty," she said. "I'm sorry if that displeases you, though I really can't imagine why it does. I can tell you I'm certain to get them dirty again."

She'd tried to use logic to soothe him, but he wasn't in the mood to be reasonable. He shook his head and scowled at her. "You will not," he commanded. "You're mistress here, Joha

She didn't know if she should laugh or frown. She settled on a sigh instead. The man had the oddest notions.

He seemed to want some sort of answer. She decided to try to placate him. "As you wish, m'lord," she whispered, determined not to let her sudden irritation show.

She was trying to be submissive, Gabriel decided. He thought it was probably killing her. She had a murderous look in her eyes, but she held onto her serene smile, and her voice sounded humble.

Joha

"There's a well behind the keep, m'lady, but most bathe in Rush Creek."

Calum was going to escort her. Gabriel took over the task. He grabbed hold of her hand and pulled her along.

"In future, water will be carried to you," he said.

"In future, I would appreciate it if you didn't treat me like a child."

He couldn't believe the anger he heard in her voice. Joha

"I would also appreciate it if you didn't berate me in front of your soldiers."

He nodded. His quick agreement eased her irritation. Her husband had a long-legged stride. They rounded the corner and started down the slope. Huts lined the hill, and more were clustered in a wide circle at the base. The well was in the center. Several of the Maclaurin women were standing in line with their buckets, waiting their turn to fetch fresh water. Several called out greetings to their laird. He nodded and continued on.

The wall was just beyond the line of huts. Joha

Joha

Rush Creek was a wide, deep stream. It ran the length of the mountain, her husband explained, from the top to a pool at the bottom where their land bordered with the Gillevrey territory. Trees lined the sides of the waterway, and wildflowers were so abundant they seemed to be growing out of the water as well as along the banks. The area was breathtakingly beautiful.

Joha

The creek was much deeper than she'd judged it to be. She would have gone in headfirst if her husband hadn't grabbed hold of her and hauled her back.

"It's usual to take your clothes off before you bathe," he said dryly.

She laughed. "I lost my balance. I was trying to get a stone that caught my eye. Will you fetch it for me?"

He leaned forward to look. "There are at least a hundred stones, wife. Which do you fancy?" She pointed. "The perfectly round one," she replied. Gabriel reached down, lifted the stone, and handed it to her. She smiled in appreciation. "Auggie will like this one," she a

Joha

"Scotland is very beautiful," she said. He shook his head. "Not Scotland," he corrected. "The Highlands are beautiful."

Gabriel didn't seem inclined to hurry back to his duties. He leaned his back against the trunk of a pine tree, crossed one ankle over the other, and adjusted the sword at his side so it wouldn't be scratched. His dog moved to his other side and stretched out next to him.

Joha

"Aye, they are foolish thoughts." She didn't take exception to his agreement. His slow grin told her he was teasing. Gabriel looked very content with his eyes closed and the soft smile on his face. He really was a dashing man.

Joha

Her husband wasn't such a worry to her any longer. Not only could he control his temper, but he also had a gentle streak in his nature. The way his hound responded to him told her that much about his character.

Gabriel caught her staring at him. She blushed with embarrassment and turned her gaze to her lap. She didn't want to leave just yet. She was enjoying this peaceful interlude with her husband. She decided to draw him into further conversation before he could suggest they go back.

"Aren't Scotland and the Highlands the same, m'lord?"

"They are and they aren't," he answered. "We don't consider ourselves Scots as you English are so inclined to call us. We're either Highlanders or Lowlanders."

"From the tone of your voice when you said Lowlanders, I assume you don't particularly like those people."

"Nay, I don't like them."

"Why?"

"They've forgotten who they are," he explained.

"They've become English."

"I'm English." She blurted out the reminder before she could stop herself.

She sounded worried. He smiled. "I'm aware of that fact."

"Yes, of course you are," she agreed. "Perhaps, in time, you'll forget."

"'Tis highly doubtful."

She didn't know if he was jesting with her or not. She decided to turn the topic to a less sensitive one.

"Auggie isn't daft."

"No, he isn't. The Maclaurins believe that nonsense, not the MacBains."

"He's actually very clever, husband. The game he made up is most amusing. You must try it sometime. It requires skill."

He nodded agreement just to placate her. He found her defense of the old man admirable. "Auggie didn't invent the game. It's been around for long years. In the old days, stones were used, but the men also carved balls out of wooden blocks. Some even fashioned leather balls and filled them with wet feathers."