Page 44 of Highlander’s Sweet Poison

Alexina’s eyes sparkled. “That sounds lovely. I shall get my cloak.”

“Nay.” Tearloch stepped in between them and stared down at his wife. “Nay, ye wilnae. ‘Tis not safe around Jillian.”

“All the more reason to join her and ensure that nothing unsafe happens,” Alexina said briefly as she darted from the doorway. A moment later, she returned with her cloak and stared up at her husband. “Are ye going to step aside?”

“I am ordering ye to stay.”

“And I am disobeying. Since ye cannae keep an eye on both yer mistress and yer wife unless we are together, I am betting that I am going to win this argument.” Deftly, she stepped around Tearloch and joined Jillian. “This is going to be fun.”

If Tearloch was in a bad mood when they started out, he was in an even worse one as he trudged behind them. Although Jillian wanted to spend some time with Alexina, she also knew that if the couple stood a chance at finding happiness, they would need to spend more time with each other.

This was the perfect solution, even if the stubborn guard didn’t think so.

“Do ye know Kylie?”

Behind them, Tearloch grunted and muttered something under his breath.

Alexina stopped. “I dinnae, but I believe my husband had something to say about the matter.”

“I said that ye two should like her well enough since she is just as difficult as...Jillian,” he said, catching himself before he added his wife into that group. Alexina smiled and turned with Jillian before Tearloch could see them smile in amusement.

He was learning.

“What do ye know of her, Tearloch?” Jillian asked over her shoulder.

“She wasnae born here. A cousin took her in when she was just a wee lass, but he is gone now. His wife still looks after her, but she is anxious to see the lass wed. I speak for Graeme and all of the guards when I say that we are all anxious to see her wed. She is a beauty, but she refuses all suitors.”

Jillian liked the girl already. It seemed they would have quite a bit in common.

They arrived at Kylie’s house just in time to see a lovely raven-haired lass trying to get between two men who were scuffling on the ground. Behind them, an older woman was screaming, but not at the two men. Rather, she was screaming at Kylie. A crowd had gathered around, adding fuel to the chaos.

“Enough!” Tearloch roared as he pushed through and separated the two men. “Ye are given audience of yer mistress. Do try and act like highlanders rather than like children!”

A hush fell over the crowd, and even Jillian was impressed. It almost sounded like Tearloch believed she deserved respect.

The older woman pushed forward and planted her hands on her hips. “And where is the laird now? I want this child to wed and be gone. “

Jillian did not like the temper in the woman’s voice. “What is yer name?”

“Margaret.”

“And Kylie is yer ward?”

“Aye.”

“Well, Margaret, my husband has charged me with settling this dispute. As Kylie is an adult, yer input isnae necessary unless she wants me to consider it.” Jillian turned to Kylie. “Do ye?”

The woman’s eyes widened, and she shook her head.

“Excellent. First, I intend to deal with the men who were fighting. Please step forward.”

Eagerly, they hopped in front of her. “Yer names?”

“Horace.”

“Lyle.”

Both of them looked to be about the same age, maybe a little older than Kylie herself. She doubted either of them were in Graeme’s guard for he would not put up with antics like that.