"A small knife." He handed her the sheathed weapon attached to a strap with a buckle. "Wear it at all times to defend yourself." He headed toward the exit. "Have a care and bar the door behind me."
Alarm resounded through her. "What are you going to do?"
"Oust him from our home."
"Wait." She caught his arm. "He threatened to kill Finch. He could try to kill you too."
"He can try." Gavin scowled. "But he will regret all he has done here this day."
She slid her arms around his neck. "Please be careful."
When he bent, she gave him a kiss. He leaned into her, turning the kiss far more delicious, like a midnight snack of hot fudge cake and ice cream, a treat that had to be savored slowly.
He growled Gaelic words and pulled away. "You're as dangerous as a siren, stealing my wits. I'll be back forthwith." He exited, then stuck his head back in to whisper. "When I return, I expect you to unbar the door for me wearing naught."
"Dream on." She winked and smiled at his formidable glare that promised sexy retribution. "More importantly, be safe."
"Aye. Have nay worries."
Praying Gavin would be unharmed by his vile cousin, she barred the door.
An alarming thought occurred to her… was Lunn all right? Alpin wouldn't harm his mentally ill uncle, would he?
∞∞∞
"What are you doing here?" After exiting the stairwell into the great hall, Gavin glowered at his cousin.
Alpin sat by the hearth, his straw-colored hair pulled back in a queue. His two armed guards stood on either side of Ewan and Finch, at the opposite end of the massive room. Finch was still bound, and Ewan appeared unarmed.
"Paying my dear cousin a visit. Are you going to offer me a dram of whisky?" Alpin's smirk and cajoling tone fueled Gavin's fury.
He placed his hand upon the hilt of the sheathed sword he had retrieved from the armory on the way down. "Since you ambushed my friends and me a year ago, we're no longer family. Why did you take my guard hostage?" He nodded to Finch.
"Why not? He rode alone and was easy prey. I knew he would help me gain entrance." Alpin grinned. "Lady MacRae sent me to fetch her keek-stane."
"What are you talking about?" So, the witch knew Gavin had taken the evil object.
"She said you would ken."
"I have nay keek-stane, hers nor anyone else's. Do you always do her bidding like a wee obedient pup?"
Alpin's jaw clenched. "She's a powerful ally."
"You fear what she will do to you if you disobey her." Gavin loved getting his cousin riled up.
"Of course not!"
Gavin smirked. "She might turn you into a toad or a worm."
Alpin gave a fake chuckle. "Lady MacRae said the lass is a scullery maid, but now I find you've married her."
"She's a lady, you whoreson!" Gavin would not put up with anyone disrespecting her. "My wife is nay your concern."
"The MacRae chief lied." Alpin smiled.
"About what?"
"He is nay the one who sent the lass."
