Page 28 of Deception

He shifted and she tensed when he pressed his mouth to her ear and whispered, “Mayhap we will have to start from the beginning?”

His warm breath washed over her ear. She shivered but managed a, “Mayhap.”

Jacob drew her into his arms, threw back his head and laughed. The deep rich sound reverberated through her. He bent his head and surprised her with a quick, hard kiss. Cheers went up in the room and he grinned down at her, clearly pleased with himself.

“Laird.”

He looked past her as two men reached them.

The taller one bowed. “My lady.”

The other grinned, then said, “Forgive us, but we must borrow your husband for a moment.”

“Lads,” Jacob began, but the men laughed and clasped his shoulders.

Linnae watched as the warriors pulled him to one of the tables halfway across the room, shoved him down onto the bench, and filled a mug with ale. The shorter of the two—who wasn’t all that short—clapped him on the back and they all drained their mugs in three big gulps. She grimaced. Her husband would soon be drunk.

She recalled the warrior’s words last night, “If he’s too drunk to satisfy ye, lass, I can take his place.” Would he be too drunk to satisfy her?

She realized the minstrel had stopped playing and glanced down at him. He stared up at her, one brow lifted. Embarrassment washed over her. Surely, he couldn’t read her mind?

The postern door opened and from the corner of her eye, Linnae glimpsed a too-familiar figure. She yanked her gaze onto the three men who stood near the door. Her heart pounded as Malcolm Donald scanned the room. He had come. He had actually come. That had to mean he was responsible for Lady Alison’s death.