Page 5 of The Icy Highlander's Virgin

"The right to continue leadin’ me clan as I see fit. Nay interference from me husband in McLaren affairs."

Lachlan's eyebrows rose. She wanted autonomy? That was... unexpected.

"And what would I get, besides the obvious?"

"Ye'd seal the alliance with Clan McLaren which our parents proposed to yer father when they betrothed us. Trade advantages like routes and partners. And I'm a wife who willnae bore ye with simperin’ conversation. And when the time comes, I'll cooperate with ye to get the heir ye need."

She said it matter-of-factly, as if she were discussing the weather. But Lachlan caught the slight tightening around her eyes when she mentioned the heir.

"Ye seem to have thought this through," he said slowly. "But I have conditions of me own."

"Such as?"

"If we marry, ye'll keep yer distance unless clan business requires our interaction. I'll nae have a clingy wife followin’ me around like a lost puppy."

Relief flashed across her features so quickly he almost missed it. "That's... acceptable."

Interestin’. Most women would be offended by such a condition. But ye - ye look almost grateful.

"Good. Second condition—we need an heir within a year. The council's been breathin' down me neck about it."

And there it was. The color drained from her face, and her hands clenched into fists at her sides. Fear. Raw, unmistakable fear.

"I... So soon?" She swallowed hard. "I'm nae comfortable with someone I daenae ken touchin' me. Will ye nae give me more time to ken ye better?"

The way she said it—so quietly, so carefully—made something cold settle in Lachlan's stomach. He'd heard that tone before, from women who'd been hurt by men who should have protected them.

"Then we'll remedy that," he said, his voice gentling slightly. "Three outings. Just the two of us. I'll set the terms, and ye'll come willingly."

"What kind of terms?" The question came out sharp, defensive.

"Nothin' that involves me bed, if that's what ye're worried about." He saw her shoulders relax fractionally. "I've nay interest in unwillin' women. But if we're to marry, ye'll need to be comfortable with me touch. And I'll need to ken the woman I'm bindin' meself to."

"And after these three outings?"

"If ye still cannae bear the thought of me touchin’ ye, we'll find another way to make this work." He paused, studying her face. "But I think ye'll find that willnae be a problem."

"Ye seem very confident."

"I am." He stepped closer, close enough she had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. "By the time I'm done with ye, lass, ye'll be cravin’ me touch."

Heat flared in her cheeks, but she didn't back down. "Ye're very sure of yerself."

"I have reason to be."

They stood there for a moment, measuring each other, the air between them crackling with something Lachlan couldn't quite name. Challenge? Attraction? Both?

"So," hesaid finally, "are we agreed? Three outings to get to ken each other better?"

She met his gaze steadily. "We need to marry within a sennight."

A sennight. This woman continues to surprise me.

He tilted his head, studying her face. "Why the hurry? Most women want time to plan their weddin’, to make it perfect."

"Most women arenae facin’ the loss of their birthright if they daenae marry soon."

"Is that so?"