Never Seduce a Scot (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs, #1)

by Maya Banks

If they wanted madness, she’d give it to them. She rushed to the fireplace, rose up on tiptoe, and yanked at the sword, praying it would come free and then praying that it didn’t weigh so much that she couldn’t even lift it. The grip was old and worn and the blade not as thick or as large as the ones her kin carried or even those she’d seen the Montgomery warriors carry. The sword came away without protest, and anger fueled her strength as she wobbled under the weight. She turned back to the women who now stared at her with unease. She charged forward, holding the blade high, and bellowed, without worry over how loudly her words came forth. She cared not if the rafters rang with it. The word—the one word—that she was able to articulate billowed from her chest and squeezed out her throat with all the force she could muster. “O-O-OUT!!”

Graeme frowned when Eveline rose after having finished her meal. He’d fully intended to address the matter of her duties. “A moment please, Eveline,” he said when he was sure he had her attention. “Oh, I’m sorry, Graeme. I don’t have time right now. There are duties to attend and I’m sure you must be busy with the men. We’ll discuss what it is you have on your mind at the evening meal.” With that she smiled and kissed him full on the lips in front of the entire hall. Then she patted his cheek and cheerfully went on by. She walked out of the hall at a fast clip, leaving Graeme completely befuddled. It wasn’t until a moment later that he realized he was still frozen to his chair, the imprint of her mouth still tingling on his lips. There were snickers and guffaws all around, but he paid them no heed. His gaze was riveted to the soft swing of his wife’s bottom as she exited the hall.

“I will not tolerate the mistreatment that has been handed to my wife. I am done trying to coddle you and to understand your feelings of outrage and hatred over having to accept an Armstrong in our midst. She has acted with dignity and grace and has afforded you nothing but courtesy. She’s had a smile for everyone who crosses her path. In return you’ve maligned her, made her feel miserable and unwelcome. You’ve manipulated her and used her eagerness to earn a place in our clan to further humiliate her.”

“I love you, Eveline,” he whispered, though he knew she could not hear him. “Somehow, I’ll make you hear me and you’ll know that I love you as fiercely as it’s possible for a man to love a woman.”