Highland Courage (Highland Brides) by Ceci Giltenan

could dare to hope for.”
    Still in the haze of their lovemaking, she answered, “I’m rather impressed with ye as well.”
    At that moment, the door to the room swung open and the chambermaid, Meriel, strode in with a stack of linen towels followed by a manservant carrying a tub.
    ~ * ~
    Tadhg flew off the bed and roared, “Get out! How dare ye enter unbidden?”
    Mairead grabbed at the plaid, which lay under them, scrambling unsuccessfully to cover herself.
    The stunned manservant stared at them momentarily before rushing out of the room.
    Meriel didn’t appear to be as shocked. “Laird, I’m terribly sorry, I didn’t know ye were in here. I was told that ye wanted to have a bath after—”
    “There is no excuse. Ye would have known if ye had but knocked. Remove yourself now! ” he roared again.
    “Aye, Laird.” She calmly placed the towels on the table before leaving.
    Tadhg turned to Mairead, expecting to see her embarrassed, blushing. She was, however, not blushing; she was ashen. Her knees were drawn to her chest, and she clutched the edge of her plaid in front of her.
    “Mairead, I am sorry. I asked for a bath to be prepared for after supper. They never should have entered unannounced, whether they thought the room was empty or not.” He tried to comfort her, putting his arms around her. She leaned her forehead against him, but didn’t return his embrace, continuing to clutch her plaid. God’s teeth, could anything worse have happened?
    Mairead said nothing. She simply sat within his arms, looking horror-struck.
    “Are ye all right, little one?” Tadhg asked gently.
    “Aye,” said Mairead weakly. She pulled away from him and climbed off the bed. “The evening meal will be served soon, we should get dressed.” Looking at the clothing strewn around the room, she blushed and muttered, “This must have been a pretty picture.” Frowning, she gathered up her garments and dressed.
    It was painful to see her so distressed. He was furious. Growling, he pulled on his own clothes. “If ye are sure ye’ll be fine, I need to go downstairs and mete out some justice.”
    Mairead became very still. “What will ye do?”
    “I have never used a whip as punishment for anyone, but tonight I would like to thrash both of them.” At the look of dismay on Mairead’s face, he said more gently, “Don’t worry, little one, I wouldn’t beat them. However, after I give them a lesson in courtesy, I will dismiss them both.”
    “Tadhg, perhaps they truly misunderstood?”
    “That doesn’t excuse their failure to knock.”
    “Nay, it doesn’t. But I suspect it was just an error in judgment—a mistake. I’m sure it wasn’t done intentionally. Besides, isn’t Meriel David’s daughter and don’t they live in the keep?”
    “Aye.” He pressed two fingers to the bridge of his nose.
    “I suspect it would be very awkward for ye to dismiss her.”
    “Ye are right. But neither can I tolerate that level of disrespect, particularly not from clansmen and women who serve in this keep.” Still Mairead was right, what would this do to David?
    “Then perhaps ye could reassign them to another position. The choice to accept or leave would be theirs. Ye will not have thrown them out.”
    Tadhg thought about this a moment then began to chuckle. “David won’t let Meriel choose dismissal. Ye’re sure this is acceptable to ye? Many men would say even dismissal would be too lenient a punishment.”
    Mairead sighed. “If ye think it would be seen as a sign of weakness, then ye must do what ye think is best. I’m sure once the issue is addressed it isn’t likely to happen again. I don’t want to be the reason for two of your staff to be dismissed within days of my becoming Lady Matheson.”
    He put his arms around her. “Mairead, ye are not the reason. Ye are right. It was a terrible error in judgment and it will never happen again. They entered their laird’s chamber without gaining permission or ensuring it was