Page 65 of Taken By the Highland Villain

He stepped closer. “I told ye that I would offer a claim to yer kinfolk, if ye asked it of me. Now I will say this—I am here to ask for yer hand, here and now, and I ask ye to accept me. Laird MacKane, I am late, and I am sorry, but I would like to ask ye to consider me as a candidate for yer sister-in-law’s hand.”

Valerie turned to look at Conall hopefully.

Laird MacKane studied them for a long moment, then dipped his head in acknowledgment. “I accept, but ye must ken that the choice is Valerie’s.”

Jude nodded and turned back to Valerie. “Valerie Blackwood…” He held out his hands. “As I promised ye afore, I promise ye again. I am yers, all of me, if ye will have me.”

Valerie gasped, the sound a half-sob, a half-cry of relief, and started toward him. One step, two, and then she was running, flinging herself into his arms once again and leaning up to kiss him with every ounce of strength she had.

They broke apart when they were both breathless and the onlookers were snickering.

Jude gave her a faint, self-deprecating smile. “Do ye have somewhere…?”

Valerie smiled, her heart singing and her spirit so light that she wouldn’t have been surprised if she’d started to float away. “Aye. Come with me, and I’ll show yemyfavorite place in the castle.”

CHAPTER 28

His muscles ached,and the injuries he’d sustained during the fight stung, light as they were, but Jude was more than willing to follow Valerie as she took his hand and led him further into the castle.

A part of him wondered what her sisters and Laird MacKane were thinking and saying, but he couldn’t bring himself to care.

He was still surprised when Valerie led him to a bedroom and closed the door behind them.

His eyes darted around, seeing little personal touches that indicated whose room it was.

“Valerie…”

That was all he could say before she spun around and flung herself into his arms. Jude staggered, then wrapped her in an embrace as she stretched up to claim his lips in another kiss.

Her eyes were sparkling with joy. “Ye came.”

“I came.” Jude nodded.

“And ye meant what ye said?”

“Every word.”

A part of him was still twisting in fear, but he’d had the entirety of the wild ride across the moors to consider the matter.

A year was long enough to linger in fear and doubt, unable to risk his heart or even face the world. It was long enough—beyond long enough—to hide in his castle and play the wounded recluse. And Valerie was…

Valerie was strong. Watching the way she’d freed herself from Nathan’s grasp had only confirmed the conclusion he’d come to while riding across the moors.

She’s strong. She doesnae need me to protect her. Nae the way I’m so afraid of her needing me. Valerie is strong enough to stand beside me, and I care enough for her that I can find the strength to stand beside her as well.

“I said what I meant, Valerie. I’m here, and I’m yers—all of me—if ye will have me.”

The way she kissed him left no doubt as to her response.

The next few minutes were a blur of kissing, hands undoing laces as shirts, kilts, trews, and finally Valerie’s dress and chemise were loosened or tossed aside.

Valerie pulled back, her eyes searching his face. “Ye’ve offered yerself to me… Will ye claim me as well?”

Jude reached up to cup her cheek, a smile on his face. “Aye, if that’s what ye want.”

“It is what I want.” Valerie pulled him closer, her body molding to his.

The two of them stumbled and staggered to the bed, then tumbled into the soft mattress amid the pillows. For several moments, they tangled together, kissing, caressing, and murmuring to each other until both of them were breathless.