Free Seducing Her Laird by Hildie McQueen

 
     
    Chapter One
     
     
     
    Meagan McDougall rolled over to find she was alone in bed yet again. Her husband entered from the adjoining bedroom and went directly to the basin. Water splashed as the laird washed his face then grabbed a cloth and dried it. Completely nude, he dipped the cloth in the water and ran it over his body.
    Calum McDougall was magnificent. At over six feet tall, broad shoulders, midnight black hair, and cobalt blue eyes, the laird stood out amongst most of his clansmen. His biceps bulged when he continued washing with quick motions oblivious to the fact she watched his every move.
    When he began to wrap the clan tartan about his large body, Meagan lifted up and ran her fingers through her tangled tresses. He looked over at her, his face expressionless. "The games are at hand, it will be a busy day. Horsemen approach from the north. Soon the keep will be overrun with people. You will have plenty of company with all the women who come with their men.”
    "Aye , and my hands full too.  There is much to be done."  She stretched, not in a hurry to leave the warm of the bed coverings.
    Calum grunted and once again became engrossed in dressing, bending to put on his boots while her gaze feasted on his form, never tiring of the sight of him. Calum straightened and left the bedroom without another word to her.
    So it was every day, sh e not more than a fixture in their chambers. Meagan fell back onto the bed with a deep breath. Today she would not start the day by crying or feeling despair at the lack of love in her marriage. She refused to do it.
    Yet another night had gone by without Calum's touch. She'd been hopeful when he'd come early to their bed the night before. But with barely a grunt in a way of wishing her a good night, he'd gone to his adjoining bedchamber alone.
    A fter a curt knock, Cailyn McDougall, her sister-in-law, strolled into the bedroom. With her pretty flushed face and sparkling blue eyes, her sister-in-law was ravishing. She'd recently married a half English captain and from the looks of it, was enjoying his attentions with frequency. At the pang of jealousy, tears sprung and she brushed them off with the back of her hand, pretending to wipe sleep away.
    Cailyn peered at her. "Good morning, Meagan. Our cousins are arriving and so have the musicians." Her sister-in-law rushed to the window and peered down at the courtyard. "I can't wait to see who wins the saber toss this year. Calum and Dugan are always the best," she said referring to her brother and cousin Dugan.
    "Yes, I suppose I should get dressed, there is much to do," Meagan replied not moving.
    Cailyn placed her hands on her hips and studied her with narrowed eyes. "I must ask you something."
    Meagan raised an eyebrow. "Yes, of course, what is it?"
    " Why are you so unhappy? You rarely smile and act as if every day is a chore. You have a place of honor here as the laird's wife. I hope you will make more of an effort with the visiting clansmen, for Calum's sake."
    "I am not sure what you speak of ." She slumped and heaved a heavy sigh. Of course she knew. But could she bring herself to share with Cailyn? An errant tear rolled down her cheek and she gave up the pretense. "I cannot smile and be as cheerful as you, Cailyn. I do not have what you do."
    "What do I have that you do not? I fail to understand you." Cailyn neared the bed, her brows drawn together.
    "A happy marriage. I can finally share with you since you're now married and know what transpires between a man and woman in the marriage bed." Meagan swallowed past the lump that formed in her throat. "Your brother abhors being married to me. He barely notices me and it is rare that he seeks me to join with. Most nights Calum sleeps in there." She pointed at the doorway to the adjoining bedchamber. "I only saw him bare this morning because he came to wash up. I suppose his man must have slept in. Or is busy with preparations."
    With the admission she began to cry , not