Page 91 of The Laird's Masked Passion

Elspeth’s triumph faltered. “Why?”

Colin kept his eyes on the councilmen. “Because I have business.”

“With whom?”

He looked at her then, and softened his voice only enough for her to hear. “Nae with ye.”

Her gaze searched his. She knew something had changed, though not why. Before she could argue, Breac stepped forward with cheerful urgency.

“Come, me lady. There is a song ye must hear before old Tormod forgets the words and invents worse ones.”

Elspeth allowed herself to be led away, but she looked back twice. Colin waited until she was out of earshot. Then he turned. The councilmen had ceased smiling.

Good.

Colin walked toward them with no haste at all. Haste gave men hope that anger might pass quickly. He preferred them to see it coming and understand they had nowhere to go.

The man who had spoken swallowed. “Me laird?—”

“Be silent.”

The words cut through the space so cleanly that nearby conversation faltered.

Colin stopped before them. “Did ye think I wouldnae hear?”

No one answered.

“Or did ye think,” he continued in a low voice, “that because she is a woman, because she came tae us through bargain and blooddebt, because she is new tae this clan and too proud tae plead for kindness, that she stands here unprotected?”

The older councilman’s face had gone grey. “Nay insult was intended.”

Colin smiled. It made the man step back.

“Nay insult?” Colin said softly. “Ye called me wife a bought bride and spoke of her place.”

The meadow nearest them had grown quiet now. Breac, at a distance, positioned himself near Elspeth and was speaking loudly enough to keep her attention turned away. Murdoch stood a few paces off, with one hand resting near his belt, not to restrain Colin, but to make certain no fool interfered.

The councilman’s mouth opened, then closed. Colin stepped nearer.

“I will tell ye her place.”

The wind moved through the grass. Somewhere beyond them, a fiddle played on uncertainly, unaware the feast had found a colder music.

“Her place isbesideme.Beforethis clan.Aboveevery man here who forgets his respect. When she speaks, ye will listen. When she walks among ye, ye will bow if courtesy demands it and stand aside if safety does. If she challenges ye, ye may answer with honor or keep yer mouth shut.”

His gaze moved over each of them.

“And if I ever hear any one of ye speak of her with contempt again, I will take it as contempt for me.”

The first man found his courage too late. “Me laird, surely a few words?—”

Colin seized him by the front of his tunic and dragged him close enough that only those nearest could hear the final promise.

“A few words can cost a tongue.”

The man went rigid.

Colin’s voice dropped to something almost gentle. “And if those words are against me wife, they may cost far more. Dinnae test which part of ye I am most willing tae lose on yer behalf.”