“Nay!” Ewan gasped as he turned to face Braden. “Can it be Braden’s made it a whole hour without a woman? Quick, Lochlan, send for a healer afore he collapses from the stress of celibacy.”
Braden clucked his tongue. “Now that’s no joking matter. It’s not good for a man to go too long without a woman. His juices back up and before you know it, he turns into a soured, ill-tempered beastie.” His eyes widened as he regarded Ewan. “So, that’s what happened to you! Come,” he said, draping an arm over Ewan’s shoulders. “We’d best find you a woman quickly before you get any worse.”
His lips curling into a grimace, Ewan knocked Braden’s arm off his shoulder. “Would you stop with your foolishness?” He turned to Sin. “You’d best take him back to England before I run him through.”
Lochlan ignored their almost routine bantering. Ewan and Braden couldn’t communicate with each other unless they were exchanging insults.
And many times … blows.
Lochlan looked to Sin. “I’m glad you came home. ‘Tis been far too long since you last ventured to the Highlands.”
Sin nodded. “You, Kieran, Braden and Ewan are all I ever missed from this godforsaken place. No offense, but I much prefer English luxury to this rough existence.”
“Spoken like a true Sassenach.” Ewan curled his lip in repugnance.
Sin’s eyes narrowed at the insult.
“Enough,” Lochlan intervened before Sin could respond. Sin had never been the type one taunted with impunity, and the last thing he wanted was any more blood spilled between his brothers.
Regardless of the past, and all the words spoken in anger, Sin was always welcome in his home.
“There will be no insults here,” Lochlan said to Ewan, his voice stern. “At least not against Sin. Braden, on the other hand, you may feel free to attack.”
“Och now,” Braden bristled, “where’s your brotherly love?”
Lochlan smiled devilishly. “That is my brotherly love. Notice I have yet to taunt you.”
“Aye, but I’m sure it’s nothing more than an oversight.” Braden turned and looked expectantly about the hall.
Even before Braden spoke the words, Lochlan knew what was on his mind. This was the only time in his memory that Braden had returned home without an entire army of women running out to greet him, elbowing each other in an effort to gift his younger brother with food, and other things they were only too happy to offer.
“Where are the serving maids with something for us to eat?” Braden asked.
Lochlan opened his mouth to explain, but Ewan stopped him.
“Nay, please let me be the one who tells him.” Ewan’s blue eyes twinkled in rare humor.
“Very well.” Lochlan gestured at Braden. “If it gives you pleasure.”
“Aye, that it surely does.” Beaming in satisfaction, Ewan turned to Braden. “You remember Anghus and Aidan’s little sister, Maggie ingen Blar?”
Braden frowned. “The little hellion with red hair, freckles and buck teeth? How could I ever forget her?”
The harsh words set Lochlan aback. He’d never in his life heard his brother describe a woman as anything save beautiful, and Maggie was anything other than buck-toothed.
Hellion on the other hand, he would gladly concede.
“I don’t recall her having buck teeth,” Lochlan said.
“That’s because she never bit you with them.” Braden visibly shivered. “Me, on the other hand, she seemed to love to attack. Never knew why.”
“Must have been your charming personality,” Sin said drily.
Ewan threw his hands up and stepped in front of Braden. “Do you mind? I’d like to stay on the point.” He glared meaningfully first at Lochlan, then to Sin.
“Seize the moment,” Lochlan said.
“Thank you.” Ewan placed a hand on each of Braden’s shoulders so as to savor his reaction. “Anyway, Maggie, whether she has buck teeth or not—” He glared at Lochlan in warning, before turning back to face Braden. “—Has led all the lasses into hiding.”
