Page 17 of A Highland Bride Taken

He pulled back slightly to pin her with a look.

“Ye should be more careful with yer words, lass,” he grunted, taking a step back. “Ye may nae always meet a man in control of himself.”

He could feel his cock straining against his kilt, and he knew he would be going for a swim in the loch when she finally left his study, but there were important things they needed to discuss first.

She swallowed and cleared her throat, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Her face was red, and she had trouble meeting his eyes. Her innocence was so beautiful to behold.

“We shall be married soon, then,” he declared. “I will inform yer parents when they arrive.”

“Ye want to marry me?”

He nodded casually. “I will need a wife anyway, and ye are good with the bairns,” he answered. “If ye werenae, I wouldnae consider it. ‘Tis a good plan, is it nae? This way, ye can keep yer promise to yer friend.”

She nodded, and the bright smile that spread across her face stunned him. “I dinnae ken what to say.”

“Dinnae think that it will be a normal match,” he added. “I am only marrying ye for the bairns and nothing more. They are me heirs, and I expect ye to treat them as such.”

“I ken. ‘Tis me reason for marrying ye as well,” she told him, elated that she would get her wish of caring for the boys.

“Dinnae expect love from me.”

She frowned but nodded.

He hadn’t needed to add that part. She wasn’t so misguided as to assume that love would ever grow between the two of them, but she had hoped for cordiality, since she would at least help him with his heirs.

“Ye should prepare to convince yer parents.”

It wasn’t until morning the next day that Mabel realized the extent of what had happened the night before between her and the Laird. She had a hard time falling asleep, her mind replaying the moment he had been so close that she could almost taste the whiskey on his tongue.

Had he really wanted to kiss her?

She tossed and turned in bed, unwilling to start her day. How would she face her soon-to-be husband, whom she had almost kissed before their wedding?

As far as proposals went, his was not at all one for the books. He hadn’t even given her a ring, but she still flushed when she thought about it.

She was marrying Laird Muir, the Beastly Laird her mother had talked about.

It frightened her to imagine what her parents would think when he finally told them. Her father had been afraid at the mere mention of his name; she couldn’t imagine his shock when he would see the letter bearing Laird Muir’s seal and, what was worse, an invitation to collect their daughter, who had strayed to his clan.

She knew they would scold her endlessly for her foolishness in sneaking out of the castle, but hopefully, the news of her upcoming nuptials would be sufficient to appease them. If they agreed to the match, that was.

She couldn’t imagine whether her mother would be glad for it or would have a fit, fearing for her life.

When she remembered the reason the Laird had proposed in the first place, she rose quickly, pulling on her dress after doing her morning ablutions. She pulled her hair into a knot and walked out of her room, hoping she would still find the Laird in the main hall.

“Me Lady?” a maid called to her. “Where are ye going?”

“I am looking for the hall. Is the Laird still there?”

“Aye, Me Lady.”

“Please take me to him.”

Mabel walked behind the maid, ignoring her curious stares.

When she stepped into the hall, conversation died down as the men noticed the stranger in their midst. Soon, she would be their lady.

The thought had her lowering her head.