Read Adrienne Basso for Free Online Page B

much seeing Brian lightened his dark mood.
    “I’ve a warm hearth, plenty of ale, and a hearty meal to bid ye welcome,” Brian said as they entered the great hall.
    “It sounds heavenly, but I need to ask if yer wife knows that it’s me who’s come calling.”
    The question stopped Brian in his tracks. “I’d forgotten that ye’re acquainted with my Aileen.”
    “I’d hardly call it an acquaintance, dear husband.” Aileen Sinclair McKenna emerged from the shadows, bristling with indignation. “Sir Ewan and I spent a most unpleasant afternoon together a very long time ago.”
    Brian’s puzzled frown slowly cleared as comprehension dawned. “Aye, that’s right. I’d forgotten that as a wild young lad ye kidnapped my wife.”
    “I haven’t forgotten,” Aileen bit out, coming to stand toe-to-toe with her unexpected guest.
    Ewan barely managed to keep from fidgeting. It had been nearly eight years since he had last seen her, but time had been kind to Aileen. Her features were still as pretty, her complexion just as fair, her hair an enticing shade of red. Even heavy with child, she had a fresh, girlish way about her. Well, except for the sparkling eyes that were now shooting daggers at him.
    “’Tis a delight to see ye, Lady Aileen,” Ewan drawled. “May I say ye are looking just as beautiful and radiant as I remember?”
    “Ye may say whatever ye wish, but dinnae think yer winsome smile and blatant flattery will change my mind about ye, Ewan Gilroy. Ye’re a scoundrel and a rogue from the top of yer head to the tip of yer toes.”
    For a moment Ewan didn’t reply. Then he took a step closer and cleared his throat. “Guilty as charged, milady. Yet ye must admit that ye came to no real harm when ye were in my uhm . . . care. In fact, one could say ye have me to thank fer yer current happy circumstance. Ye might very well have ended up married to my half brother if not fer my timely intervention.”
    “Och, now dinnae be getting all full of yerself,” Aileen scoffed, returning his stare without flinching. “I’ve the brains and courage to find my own path in life and that never included being the wife of the Earl of Kirkland.”
    Time, it appeared, had not dulled any of Lady Aileen’s spirit. Remembering all too well the experience of witnessing her temper, Ewan strove to change the direction of their conversation. “Aye, the McKenna are lucky indeed to have ye as their lady. While on campaign, Brian was near pitiful, complaining constantly of missing his beautiful wife.”
    The edge of a smile crept onto Aileen’s face, though she tried to hide it. Seizing the moment, Ewan reached for her hand. Raising the back to his lips, he pressed against her knuckles in a courtly gesture of honor and respect.
    “Ewan speaks the truth,” Brian said cheerfully, as he pointedly maneuvered himself between Ewan and his wife, effectively breaking their physical contact. “Though there were some who thought it unmanly to hear me pine fer my bride so openly, none dared to challenge the depth of my discomfort.”
    Aileen raised a disbelieving eyebrow. “Enough. Both of ye. Sir Ewan is welcome in our home as long as he gives his word he will act with knightly honor.”
    Ewan held up his hand. “I shall.”
    “And I will make certain that he does,” Brian said as he put his arm around his wife.
    Aileen’s expression softened and she leaned back into her husband’s embrace. He whispered something in her ear and she shook her head, then lowered her chin. Knowing Brian’s bawdy nature, along with the telltale blush on Aileen’s cheeks, left little doubt in Ewan’s mind that the comment had been sexual in nature. And most likely inappropriate.
    Still blushing, Aileen left, promising to send in refreshments. At Brian’s urging, they climbed the dais and sat at the long wooden table. Though they had not seen each other for over a year, it took no time at all to reestablish their friendship. They spoke of shared