Some Like it Scot (Scandalous Highlanders Book 4) Read Free Page A

and wives at Glengask all seemed so … domestic. Two years ago the MacLawrys had been the strongest, fiercest, most progress-minded clan in the Highlands. This morning, though, he could swear he’d heard Ranulf singing to his seven-month-old son and heir, William. Ranulf, whose glare had caused more than one man to piss himself.
    At least Munro had been able to go out hunting, however poorly that had ended. The rest of them, though, were definitely not about to frighten any stray Gerdenses or Campbells into surrendering. Not any longer. Not with bairns tucked against their breasts, wives on their arms, and lullabies on their lips.
    After he’d bathed and changed into a clean kilt and shirt and his old boots, he went and tracked down Ranulf. The head of clan MacLawry leaned against the door frame of the nursery, gazing at the loud, crawling chaos of babies and their mamas inside. And damn it all, he was smiling.
    â€œRan?”
    The marquis straightened, turning to face him. “That was good of ye, to give over half the buck to the widow woman. They’ve more need of it than we do.”
    Of course Ranulf would have heard the tale already. There wasn’t much that happened in the Highlands without his knowledge. “I—”
    â€œAnd the next time ye go off by yerself to hunt, I’ll set my hounds after ye.” He indicated the two large deerhounds lying close to the wall in the hallway and likely attempting to escape the notice of the babies. “Peace with the Campbells or nae, ye’d still be a prize kill fer some.”
    Munro nodded. He could argue the point, but he would lose. It was easier to simply agree and then ignore the warning. “I went by Haldane Abbey,” he said, instead of conceding. “The whole south wing’s gone now.”
    â€œI havenae even thought aboot the abbey fer years.” The marquis tilted his head. “What sent ye that far south on foot?”
    â€œYe didnae give it over to anyone, did ye? Some cotter and his kin? I thought I saw footprints aboot it. Old ones, but it made me curious.”
    â€œNae. I’d nae risk anyone there, even fer a single night.” Ranulf gazed at him. “Do ye ken it means trouble?”
    Bloody wonderful . The last thing he wanted was to send lads out there to hear from the trouser lass that she’d already leveled a gun on him. “I think it’s more likely some of the village lads looking fer spirits over the summer. We used to do it.” He shrugged. “The next time I head oot that way I’ll take a closer look to be certain.”
    â€œThe next time ye head oot that way with Debny or some of the other lads to keep ye company,” Ranulf amended, squatting to pick up a black-haired bairn crawling for the dogs. “Dunnae take unnecessary risks, bràthair. I’m nae jesting with ye.”
    For a moment Munro divided his attention between the Marquis of Glengask and his seven-month-old son. The next marquis, the next head of clan MacLawry, presently trying to eat his father’s fine white shirt. “It seems to me, bràthair, ” he returned, reaching out to run a forefinger carefully along the wee bairn’s ear, “that I’m the only MacLawry who can take risks, these days. And ye need a man who can.”
    â€œBear, ye—”
    â€œYe ken that’s true, Ran. Ye may be civilized now, but the Highlands arenae. I dunnae mean to fling myself off a cliff, but I’m nae domesticated. And if I choose to go oot hunting from time to time, I’m seven-and-twenty. I reckon that’s old enough to be able to decide fer myself what I’m willing to risk.”
    The marquis eyed him. “Then perhaps it’s time I find ye a wife to settle ye doon.”
    â€œHm.” Tired with being threatened today, Munro turned on his heel. “I suggest ye dunnae, if ye ever want to see me again. If I want a wife, I’ll find one fer