Page 3 of Taken By the Vicious Highlander

“I have another match in mind,” he added, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather.

Lilith’s relief evaporated, replaced by tension. “Another match?” she echoed sharply.

He stepped closer, the intensity of his presence overwhelming. “Aye.”

“I dinnae have any other prospects. Magnus?—”

“I ken well enough what yer braither was and wasnae capable of.”

Irritated once more by his presumptuous attitude, she replied swiftly while keeping a distance from him in case he moved to strike, “Well, I was just sayin’—before ye cut me off—that the only clan remotely interested in making an alliance with us was Clan MacMillan.”

He scoffed, “Clan MacMillan? Surely ye must ken that they werenae theonlyclan interested.”

“The Highland clans were made aware of the scandal between yer braither and me sister. Ye can thank me braither for that word spreading, may he rest in peace.”

“Och, is it a scandal now? Me sister was kidnapped by yer braither, and yers by mine. That seems like normal clanbusiness, does it nae? Why does it matter anyway? Keegan and Willow are married now.”

“Well, for all they ken, it was a scandal! It’s nae like they invitedanyof them to the celebration. That’s what—” Lilith’s resolve hardened.

Even if she sounded like Magnus, she would say anything to get out of another arrangement.

Damon’s eyes danced. “That’s what yer braither put into yer head, did he nae?”

Lilith’s silence seemed to give him leave to press her harder for more details. “And what else do ye ken?”

Unbidden, her thoughts ran out of her like a waterfall. “I ken ye are mighty confident that ye can step right into this clan and take over without any sort of argument. Magnus, for all his faults, kenned this clan—it’s in our blood. So, before ye go and start makin’ changes to suit the comforts ye were afforded in Clan Brahanne, make sure ye understand the consequences. This clan, while handed to ye, are a strong and loyal lot, and they ken thatIam the only one left.”

Her eyes grew wide with realization. She had crossed a line, and would surely pay for it.

What will he do? Magnus would have—I wouldnae have been able to get all of that out if me braither was still here…

Damon inhaled sharply before pushing off the edge of the desk. Bracing for whatever harm this brute in front of her was going to inflict on her, Lilith tilted her chin up defiantly.

But instead of closing the space between them, he clicked his tongue and then moved around the desk. He silently eased himself into her father’s chair, his eyes locked onto hers as if to watch her reaction. Her brother’s old paperwork rested on the desk in front of him, but he easily swiped it to the side. His eyes drew hers to the large portrait of her mother above the mantel before they connected with her fierce hazel glare once more.

“Marry me.”

Lilith’s heart stuttered. A nervous chuckle escaped her lips, but it died quickly when she realized that he wasn’t joking. His expression was firm, his tone unwavering.

“Ye cannae be serious.That’swhat ye have to say to me?”

Another thing he wants to be handed! The nerve!

“I am always serious, lass,” Damon replied, his voice suddenly growing sharper. “But if ye dinnae want that, then ye can go. I dinnae have time for this—” He gestured toward the door behind her before turning his gaze to the book next to his left arm.

Lilith’s temper flared at his nonchalance as she spun on her heel and stormed toward the door.

What kind of proposal is this? Why would I marry him? Does he somehow have feelings for?—

The realization halted her, the air whooshing out of her lungs as if a horse had kicked her.

With her hand tight around the door handle, Lilith blurted out, “Why?”

Her back to him, she heard him sigh, as if her resistance was an inconvenience. The ensuing silence made every bone in her body want to turn around to face him, but she tightened her grip on the handle and stayed firmly in place. Back straining under the tension, waiting.

Damon’s voice broke through her turmoil, the distance between them had decreased drastically, and she twisted around in surprise. Her back pressed against the cold iron adornments on the study door as she breathed in notes of fresh cedar and vetiver.

“Why what?” he asked simply, his features menacingly dark.