Free A Perfect Wife [Highland Menage 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Reece Butler Page B

useless. Luckily Niall, his twin, is easier to be with.”
    “Yer father can laugh with his men, flirt with the women, and cuddle a bairn, yet acts with deadly force when he must. I wish to be like that.”
    “Bessie said you already showed both sides of being a laird. What did she mean?”
    “A woman had brought forward the charge of rape against one of the more prosperous men in the village,” said Duff. “The man said he’d paid her before and expected the same services. She said she’d only accepted coin when her children were starving in the late winter and tried to fight him off. Others heard and came, but ’ twas too late.”
    “They were witnesses to the act, but not the reason,” said Kiera. She waited to hear what Malcolm had ordered done. It would say so much about him as a laird, a man, and a husband.
    “I sentenced him to ten lashes and said he must provide her with enough coin to buy peat for the winter,” said Malcolm. “He would pay double for what he’d taken, but as a fine to help her little ones get through the coming winter.”
    Kiera shivered at the thought of the whip. It only happened once. She had scars, though they were light. She never wished to see a whip in use again, though she agreed with the punishment.
    “She wouldna have taken the coin otherwise,” she said.
    “He complained that a whipping would injure him too much and so would take food from the mouths of his own bairns. His wife just birthed his seventh daughter, which is why he couldn’t demand his marital rights,” said Duff. “His words, not mine. Mistress Hetty said there were whispers he’d done it afore but none came forward, as they, too, had been forced to take money here and there.”
    “So all he lost was some coin.”
    Duff’s chuckle made her bounce on his chest. “Not at all. Malcolm took the lash to him. He can make a man scream in pain without cutting his back to ribbands. His body was punished yet he could still work.”
    “And the woman? Are the villagers angry with her?”
    “Nay doubt, but one of yer father’s guards asked if she and her bairns could return to Castle Leod with them. Laird MacKenzie liked that she spoke well, stood up for herself, and didna ask for too much.”
    “I carried her wee lassie on my horse most of the way to Castle Leod,” said Malcolm softly. “I’ve not seen many bairns, and she made me think of the babe ye be carrying.”
    “You wish for a son, aye?”
    “Yer father wishes for a son. I’d like a wee lassie with yer eyes and smile.”
    She lifted her head, smiling at the praise.
    “See, Duff. I told ye Kiera’s smile lights up the room more than a fire.”
    The bolt struck her heart, and she knew.
    During the day Malcolm seemed harsh and unyielding. He needed to be. But in here he showed his true self, one that understood why a woman could be forced to act the whore to save her children, and not judge her harshly for it. A man who could carry a little one on his saddle for days and find joy in it was one to love.
    She laid her head on Duff’s chest and closed her eyes. She couldn’t tell them, or let them know she loved them both. They’d made it clear they knew nothing of love. What her father and mother had was unusual, though she doubted either of them had ever spoken of it.
    She would be the perfect dutiful wife in public. Modest, obedient, and calm. In this chamber she would be as she chose, which was a totally different person. If the three of them could get along well, respecting and caring for one another, it would be enough.
    No, it wouldn’t. But it would have to be.

Chapter Nine

    “I am glad to have a day of rain to sit and mend.” Bessie sighed in contentment. “ ’ Tis so peaceful here in yer solar. Ye can barely hear the noise of the bailey.”
    “ ’ Tis glad I am to sit!” Kiera settled on her padded chair and picked up Malcolm’s old shirt. “I’m wondering if ’ twould be best to turn this to another use.” She held up the