The man was up at once, ready to defend himself. But he lowered his fists in confusion when he saw through his rage that his assailant was Duncan.

“Me laird?” was all he managed to ask before Duncan plowed his fist into the fellow’s face.

Muttering under her breath, Iliana gathered her skirts closer and hurried forward again. By the time she had reached the practice area, the men had formed a circle around the two combatants, their expressions a combination of curiosity and excitement as Duncan yelled at Willie Dunbar.

Iliana had to push her way between and around the larger bodies to reach the inner fringe. She paused there, worrying her lip anxiously as she saw Willie rise again, only to be knocked down once more. It was the gasp behind her that made her look to see that Janna, Mavis, and the other women had followed her through the crowd and were even now being joined by Elgin, Lord Angus, and Seonaid.

“Get up! Get up and fight like a man, ye coward!”

Duncan’s bellow drew Iliana’s gaze back around.

“What be the matter, me laird?” Willie was asking as he got warily back to his feet. “I don’t ken—” His words broke off when Duncan snatched him by the collar and drew him close.

“Ye’ve been raisin’ yer fists to Mavis. A woman half yer size and less than that in strength.” Willie speared his wife with accusing eyes and Duncan gave him a shake. “She didn’t tell me. I overheard it.”

His words had little effect on Willie’s venomous glare, so Duncan shook him again. “And ye’ll not be punishing her fer me kenning. Fer every blow ye dare to give her, I’ll be giving ye ten o’ these.” With that, he released the man’s collar and smashed a fist into his face again. This time, Willie was prepared for the blow. He stumbled backward but did not fall. He even managed to bring his fists up and get in a retaliatory blow before Duncan backhanded him, then punched him in the stomach.

Iliana winced at the whoosh of air Willie expelled as he stumbled backward, then grimaced as Duncan slammed his fist into his jaw with enough force to knock the man senseless. He stood there for a moment, panting over the unconscious man, then turned to glare at the others gathered around.

“Any one o’ ye who raises a fist to a woman’ll receive the same and well ye’ll deserve it, fer only a coward beats on someone so much weaker than himself.” His gaze landed on Iliana then, and his mouth tightened briefly before he turned away and pushed through the crowd, headed for the stables.

Iliana started after him, only to be held back by Angus.