Page 40 of Secrets of a Kilted Seduction

“But she’s a born lady, and he’s a nonentity,” his neighbor declared, also pointing a disparaging finger at Tadhg. Now we’re gettin’ near the truth of the matter, Tadhg thought to himself, his anger starting to boil in his gut.

“He may be a nobody, but he’s still married tae her!” Huston shouted, growing red in the face. Tadhg noticed how Blaine did nothing to control the situation or put a stop to the gross insults being heaped on his head. A nonentity, am I? A nobody, nae fit tae be wed tae Alana.

It took everyone by surprise, including Tadhg, when Alana suddenly stood up, banged her palm loudly on the stable, and shouted, “Be quiet, all of ye!”

All eyes swiveled in her direction, accompanied by expressions of shock. Tadhg recognized the fury flashing in her eyes and wondered what was coming.

“How dare ye speak about me husband that way when we are both right here in the room? ’Tis appalling that ye should be so rude. I’ll nae have it, I tell ye.” As if to emphasize her words, she put a hand on Tadhg’s shoulder, surprising him yet again.

“Tadhg is me husband, and nae matter what ye say, he’s the best husband a woman could have. Better than any woman could dream of. He’s far better a man than any of ye in this room!”

Tadhg was stunned and deeply touched that she would defend him so vociferously. His heart swelled in his chest, and he could not resist a small smile as he met the councilors eyes.

“Ye say ye want our help with findin’ the laird and the future of the clan. Well, insultin’ me husband is nae the way tae go about gettin’ it. Is that understood?” Tadhg felt proud of her as she glared around at all the faces with a haughty expression.

“Aye, we understand, me lady. I apologize tae ye and Mr. MacTavish on behalf of the council fer speakin’ out of turn,” Roger Huston said eventually in a placating tone.

“Good. I wish tae hear nae more of such disrespectful talk,” Alana said imperiously, earning Tadhg’s further admiration and gratitude. “I dinnae see that our presence is needed any longer at this meetin’. Me husband and I shall take our leave now. Good day tae ye, gentlemen.” She pronounced the final word scathingly.

Tadhg stood up and offered her his arm.

“Thank ye, dearest,” she said, sticking her nose in the air and sweeping the council with a dark glance as she and Tadhg made for the door. Tadhg ushered her out before him. It was when he went to close the door behind them that he briefly glimpsed Blaine’s expression. The man was frowning, his lips a thin line of disapproval, and he was drumming his fingers on the table as he cast black looks at his advisors.

“I dinnae think Blaine liked that,” Tadgh murmured to Alana as they retraced their steps along the hallway. “He looked downright annoyed just then.”

“I dinnae care how annoyed he is,” Alana shot back, her eyes flashing with anger. “He’ll nae make a good laird if he lets his council treat guests with such disrespect. I’m so sorry ye had tae put up with that, Tadhg,” she told him apologetically, gazing up at him as they walked.

But his hopes that she was thawing towards him were dashed when he found himself sleeping on the floor again that night.