Page 55 of The Laird who Craved her

"Have ye ever tried reasonin' with a Highland cow, Finn?" Ewan asked, trying to pull him in.

"Nay," Finn said, not looking at him.

"Stubborn beasts, they are."

"I can imagine," Claire smiled, sipping her cider.

"Almost as stubborn as a MacRae," Ewan said, winking at her.

"I believe that." She glanced sideways at Finn, amused, and missed the way his jaw had gone tight enough to ache.

"Does he ever speak at supper?" Ewan whispered loudly, leaning in.

"Only to give orders," Claire whispered back, a smile tugging at her mouth.

"Terribly exhausting."

"It is."

"Perhaps I should teach him a joke or two. I once taught a hound to dance."

Finn felt his control fraying, one thread at a time, with every easy laugh that passed between them.

"Tell me another," Claire said.

"Did I ever tell ye about the time I fell through the ice on the loch?" Ewan launched into it before she could answer, arms wide, describing how he'd lost both boots in the freezing water and walked three miles home in wet socks trying to impress a girl who only laughed at him from the bank.

"I cannae blame her," Claire said, laughing so hard she had to set her cup down.

"A tragic day for me pride."

"But a fine one for a story."

"Exactly. Pride's temporary. A good story lasts forever."

"Ye're a philosopher as well as a storyteller."

"I've hidden talents, me lady." His voice dropped, just slightly, into something warmer.

Finn's hand closed around the edge of the table hard enough that the wood bit into his palm.

Mine!Something low and possessive snarled in his chest, drowning out every reasonable thought he tried to summon in its place.

"D'ye play the fiddle, Ewan?" Claire asked.

"I attempt to. I sound like a dyin' cat."

"I could teach you sometime, if ye like."

"I'd be honored, me lady." Ewan inclined his head politely.

Something hot and violent moved through Finn's chest, fast enough to steal his breath.

"We could practice after supper," Ewan said, leaving his hand where it was.

"I would be delighted." Her eyes were bright, delighted, unaware of the man beside her going rigid as stone.

"I'll warn the men to cover their ears," Ewan joked, and Claire laughed again, the sound clean and sweet, cutting through the noise of the hall and landing somewhere in Finn like a blade finding a gap in armor.