a mind to your own bed rather to that of the merry widow, Lady Helen just might birth the son you’ve a yen for.”
Gnashing his teeth, Aleck drew his fist back. But Eoin was faster. Before MacIain could follow through, Eoin clamped his fingers at the base of Aleck’s neck—a maneuver he’d learned from the Black Knight—one that would cause excruciating pain.
MacIain grimaced and tried to twist away, but Eoin held the miserable buffoon in a viselike grip. “The king has ordered us together whether you like it or nay,” he growled through clenched teeth. “I will see to the safety of this keep and the women and children within regardless of your bull-brained overconfidence.”
Aleck dropped to his knees, sweat beading his brow.
Eoin tightened his fingers. “The next time we’re in public together you will give me due respect, just as I pay to you.”
With a push, he released his hold and strode out of the solar without a backward glance.
Chapter Nine
Eoin stood beside Fergus while they supervised the construction of the platform on the Ardnamurchan galley. His men, Samuel and Willy walked past, carrying a stack of wooden planks.
“How much more timber do we need?” Eoin asked.
“I reckon one more load ought to do it,” Samuel said, as he and Willy continued up the ramp of the MacIain galley.
“Look at us working like servants for bloody MacIain.” Fergus folded his arms and spat. “I still think we should climb aboard our boat and head for home.”
Eoin could barely hear him over the hammering. “I must admit the thought has crossed my mind more than once.”
“Then why are we still here while the Lord of Glenorchy and the others rally their armies at Dunstaffnage? My oath, our men are doing the lion’s share of the work.”
“We’ll be on our way soon enough. Just set your mind to the task at hand and remember we’re fighting for the king, not the mule-brained Chieftain of Ardnamurchan.”
“What’s that you say, MacGregor?” Aleck grumbled from behind. If nothing else, MacIain had impeccable timing.
Eoin bristled and faced the cur. “Fergus and I were just discussing how nice it would be if your men joined us whilst we build the platform on your galley.”
The laggard planted his fists on his hips like he owned all of Scotland. “You’d best not be doing anything to make her less seaworthy. That boat has sailed up and down the west coast of the Highlands with nary an issue.”
“Aye,” Eoin cocked his head and made a show of examining at the galley’s hull. “By the looks of the mollusks adhered to your timbers, I’d say she’s well past due for a refit. If you don’t clean her up, you’ll be lucky not to sink the next time you take her out, and the new cannon platform will not be the cause.”
Aleck stepped closer to the boat and squinted. “There’s nothing wrong with her.”
Eoin shrugged. “She’s your vessel.”
“When will the deck be ready to mount the cannon?”
Och aye, the lazy scoundrel would be interested once the hard labor is completed. “Today with luck.”
“Send someone to fetch me when she’s aboard.” He pointed up the curtain wall. “In the meantime, I’ll be training my men to fire the big gun atop the battlements.”
Eoin glanced up to the black cannon sticking though the crenel notch directly above them. “Just ensure you don’t misfire that damned thing and hit one of us—or my galley.”
Aleck stepped a wee bit too close. “Boar’s ballocks, do you think I’m incompetent?”
Aye, I ken you are. Not about to be intimidated, Eoin leaned in. “If you’ve any experience with those newfangled guns, you’ll know that they can misfire. Aim your sights out to the open sea and no one will end up dead.”
“Bloody insolent milksop,” Aleck grumbled as he turned and marched toward the keep.
“MacIain,” Eoin called after him.
The man stopped and turned his ear.
“If you hit my galley, I’ll expect you to pay for the reparations.”
One of Helen’s favorite pastimes was collecting shells along the Mingary beach. The melodic sound of waves rolling to and from shore soothed her. And as of late, her mind had been troubled. Aleck’s clear disdain for her had grown much worse since Maggie’s birth. Worse, his open affection for Mary was an affront that insulted Helen to her very core. The tactics she’d used in the past to seek congenial ground and subdue Aleck’s temper seemed to be no longer effective. He’d grown more belligerent, negative and spiteful. She had no idea