A Perfect Wife [Highland Menage 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Reece Butler Read Free Book Online Page B

fierce. “Dinna harm my wee sister, or when I’m the Lord of Kintail I’ll—”
    “Dinna fash,” said Duff. “We like Kiera too much to harm her. Now, spanking’s a different matter. Ye have heard the best way to do that, aye?” He put his arm around Colin. “Let’s get an ale, and we’ll tell ye all about it.”

Chapter Six

    Kiera knew Cromarty Firth was downhill to her left. On a clear day no doubt it would be a pretty sight. Now all she cared about was going home, for the first time. She focused on that wonderful thought rather than the rain. It was to be expected this time of year but she was cold, wet, and sore from riding. Riding her men as well as her horse. A flash of heat at what they’d done the last few nights momentarily warmed her.
    Soon.
    Perfect wives did not complain. Malcolm wanted to be the perfect laird and Duff wished to be the best steward ever, even if neither had done the job before. As their wife, and Lady of Kinrowan, it was her duty to help them any way she could. That meant giving advice in private, usually when asked, and creating a welcoming, comfortable home.
    She would show them all! No one would ever connect her with the mean-spirited woman she’d been for a while at Castle Leod.
    “Please let it be over this hill,” she murmured while shifting in the saddle once more. If she could see it through the rain her pain might vanish. A horse stepped aside from the plodding column in front of her. She couldn’t be sure who as they were all hooded. He waited until she caught up, and then joined her. He pushed back his hood enough for her to see Duff’s wet leather mask.
    “This is not weather to welcome a lady to her home,” he said wryly. “’Twas far more pleasant when Malcolm and I rode up. It is a far different country than near Duncladach. There is rolling land to grow crops, not rocks and a sea’s vicious winds. We will do well here.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes, but he tried. “Once it stops raining.”
    “I will soon be home at Kinrowan Castle. ’Tis all that matters.” She wiped rain from her face and forced her own attempt at a smile. “I think ’tis easing now.”
    “I sent a rider ahead. There’ll be a hot bath, a fire, and food waiting in our chamber for ye.”
    The thought of warmth made her shiver anew. “Thank you, Duff. It sounds wonderful.”
    “My duty is to make all well for the laird. It is my joy to make ye smile.”
    “You willna join me?”
    “Laird Kinrowan and I will have much to do. Playing with our wife must wait. By then ye’ll be dry, warm, full, and rested.”
    “What of you? I’m not the only one cold and wet.”
    “Ah, but my lady, yer very presence heats my blood.”
    She rolled her eyes at him. “You’ve been listening to my father’s bard. He has a way with words.”
    “Seeing ye makes my heart speed up and my cock harden.”
    “Gillebride the Bard never said that!”
    He leaned closer. “I promised ye truth when we swam and played chess at the sheiling, aye?”
    “So you did.”
    She thought back to those warm days and eager nights. He was right. Being near him did warm her. Not her toes and fingers, but certainly the parts between her saddle and her chin.
    He squeezed her hand. “Are ye ready? The rain eased just in time. Take a look at yer new home, Lady Kiera of Kinrowan.”
    She realized they’d topped the rise as they spoke. Fallow fields and wooded areas rolled down to the sea on all sides. Cromarty was on a point with a headland to the east and another across a narrow strait half as wide as Loch Ness. Before it, on a rise, was a great tower, rising six stories. Round turrets with conical roofs marked the corners of the parapet. A straight section the same height went off to the right. The bailey's walls were far higher than a man’s head. Kinrowan was magnificent, far more grand than her father’s castle.
    “Oh, my! ’Tis bigger than Castle Leod.”
    Duff’s bark of laughter took her by surprise.