Free Caelen's Wife - the Complete Collection by Suzan Tisdale Page B

stopped behind him, Brodie turned to face them. “What be the matter lads?”
    Obert, one of Caelen’s many cousins, swallowed hard before answering. “Yer women are wearin’ trews!” he whispered, as if Brodie didn’t realize that fact. “And armor!”
    Brodie smiled at the young man. “Well, now, ’twould be rather difficult for them to train whilst wearin’ arisaids or skirts.”
    Obert and the other men continued to stare in wide-eyed bewilderment.
    Caelen, however, had eyes for only one of the women.
----
    H e would be able to pick Fiona McPherson out of a crowd of a thousand women.
    There she was, on the training fields, a wooden knife in her hand, practicing with what he could only assume was another woman. Silently, he watched as Fiona and the woman spun, lunged, and swiped at each other. He was unclear just how he knew the taller woman was Fiona McPherson, but he had no doubt in his mind it was her. There was a gracefulness to her, the way she moved so elegantly, as if she were dancing with a lover. Astonishing.
    ’Twas far different than when men sparred. These women were laughing and chatting away as if they were sitting near the hearth mending torn trews. Astonishing indeed.
    Brodie called out to his sister. “Fi!” he shouted. “We have guests!”
    The two women stopped and turned to face him. The woman Fiona had been sparring with removed her helm and tucked it under one arm. She was a stunning woman, with hair black as night plaited about her head and a mirthful smile on her lips. As beautiful as thatwoman was, Fiona’s beauty rivaled in comparison.
    Long moments passed by before Fiona removed her helm. An odd, indescribable expression washed over her face before she gave a nod of recognition.
    His manhood did what it did best in her presence; it twitched and came to life. Caelen imagined that if the thing had a face, it would be leering with elation right then. Damn. Damn. Damn.

Chapter Ten
    F iona believed it was far better to have Caelen McDunnah as an ally than enemy. Still, she did not know the man well enough yet to feel comfortable enough to call him friend. Only time, she decided, would tell, but spending time with the man could prove to be quite dangerous. She knew it the moment she looked up and saw him.
    Dark trews fit snugly over his well-muscled thighs and his boots looked near to bursting as they were wrapped around thick calves. Today, he wore a moss-green tunic and the McDunnah plaid draped across one shoulder and cinched about his waist.
    One look at the man and she was suddenly overcome with the confusing urge to either fling herself into his arms or run as fast as she could in the opposite direction. ’Twas too odd to figure out at the moment, but something about this man made her feel things she was not used to feeling. Urges. Desire. Longing.
    Damn him, she cursed silently. Those were all dangerous and unneeded feelings.
    When she began to feel Bridgett staring at her, Fiona was finally able to pull her eyes from Caelen.
    “He’s a fine lookin’ man,” Bridgett whispered. “No wonder ye let him kiss ye.”
    Fiona tried to pretend she hadn’t heard her. “I’ll be sure to introduce ye to him,” she said as she headed toward him. Bridgett scurried along beside her.
    Fiona had neither the time nor inclination to get involved with any man, especially one as dangerous as Caelen McDunnah. But the nearer she got to the man, the more unsettledand undesirable she felt. Even if she were interested in Caelen — and she would rather have her arms ripped from their sockets than ever admit to such — there was absolutely no chance he would ever reciprocate. He was, after all, still mourning the loss of his beloved first wife and their child. If he hadn’t moved forward after all these many years, he never would.
    Willing her insides to settle down, Fiona walked directly to her brother and Caelen. “Good day, McDunnah.”
    Caelen smiled and bowed slightly toward her. “And