Free Highland Warrior Woman (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Becca van

looked so embarrassed and contrite when he heard how Maeghan had been supporting herself, he knew it was unnecessary to berate him anymore. In part it had also been Maeghan’s fault. She could have gone to her laird at any time and asked for help, but she was a stubborn little thing and had just continued on as usual.
    Maeghan was going to have to get used to taking and following orders, but he thought she would stand up to him if she thought he was wrong. That was the sort of woman he and his brothers had been waiting for, someone who would challenge them and not just obey every command without question. Of course he expected his orders to be obeyed, but he and his brothers needed to be questioned from time to time to make them stop and think. The only person who’d ever had the initiative to do so was Gerty and their most seasoned warriors and now Maeghan.
    Pushing his thoughts aside as he watched his warriors train, he began planning retribution on the MacLeod Laird and his second-in-command. No man should be allowed to attack an innocent, gentle woman and get away with it. He’d sent some of his warriors to keep watch on the MacLeod clan, but nothing nefarious had been reported back and MacLeod hadn’t left his land since attacking Maeghan. Calum didn’t plan on killing the laird even though he had every right, but he did intend to give the bastard and his henchman a beating they would never forget. He wanted to capture the MacLeod Laird and his commander and get them away from his warriors. Calum didn’t intend for any of his men to suffer an injury because he was hell-bent on revenge. Thus the handful of men sent to watch the bastards and hopefully take them unaware.
    He gave his orders, but he wanted to finish his duty and then find Maeghan. He had seen her walking about the bailey, enjoying the sunshine and talking to his people. She’d won his clan over in a matter of days with her praise for the loom weavers, the ale maker, and practically every person in his clan.
    Calum and his brothers hadn’t mentioned their betrothal again, and neither had Maeghan. He wondered what she thought about him and his brothers being given leave by the MacTavish Laird to court her. She hadn’t been too happy about the situation, but, given time, he hoped to win her over. Even though she hadn’t answered him in regards to a betrothal, custom dictated she do as her laird commanded, and he was now her laird. Not that he would force her to wed them. Calum wanted to ask her for her answer before now, but he feared she would reject him. Now he had no more time—he had to ask her today. But he remained optimistic, so the plans for the ceremony were going ahead without Maeghan’s knowledge.
    He pushed his thoughts aside when one of the younger men nearly took a sword to the side and began to instruct him on how to block such a forceful blow.
    Alistair came rushing up to him and stood by his side, and after finishing up his instructions on how to wield a sword to one of his warriors he turned to the lad.
    “What is it, lad?”
    “Ye have to come see. I’ve no’ seen the likes ever before,” Alistair said excitedly, prancing from foot to foot.
    “What are ye talking aboot?”
    “Ye wouldnae believe me. Just hurry.”
    Alistair tugged on Calum’s hand, and since his curiosity was piqued, he followed. The lad led him to the top of the hill as the bailey gave way to numerous sod-and-wood shacks that his people lived in. There was a crowd of women, children, and the elderly seated along the hill. A few of them clapped and cheered, and Alistair pointed off to the left at the base of the hummock. What Calum saw caused a lump of fear to form in his chest. His heart pounded against his ribs and he struggled to draw breath.
    Maeghan was riding his destrier without a saddle. Her long hair flew out in a stream behind her, and she had a look of such joy on her face. She nudged his horse from a canter into a gallop and held on to his