“It dinna go unnoticed that ye and the lass dinna return last night.”
“And?”
“Now the men think the White Witch has cast a spell on ye and ye might not be right in the head.” Duncan took a step back as he said this. Just in case Roderick decided to swing at him.
“By all that’s holy!” Roderick did swing, but his arms flew up instead of at Duncan. “Such nonsense. Do ye not have anythin’ better to do but gossip? I need to find my son, and Lady Siena, if she has any special powers, is going to help.”
“Ye dinna have to shout. I’m standing right in front of ye.”
“Ah, wull, be glad that yer not picking yer arse off the ground.”
“Ouch.” Duncan stood a little straighter. “Someone needs to be telling ye. Ye’ll go back and someone might try and hurt the lass. Do ye want that?”
“They will do no such thing!” Roderick turned back to the cave. “Be off. We will follow shortly.”
Laird Scott didn’t look happy when he came back to where Siena sat. He stood with his hands on his hips, but he didn’t say anything, and she had no idea what he was thinking. Had she crossed some line and was in trouble?
When he didn’t speak, she finally asked, “Is something wrong?”
Roderick appeared to have been in a daze, because his eyes sharpened and now, he was looking at her when he asked, “What makes ye say that?”
“You don’t look exactly happy, and I heard you shout, so I figured I must have done something wrong.”
“Ah, wull not ye, lass.” Roderick shook his head. “’Twas I who forgot ye were a lady.”
“I think you have insulted me, but I’m not sure.”
“Nay,” he said, shaking his head. “But yearea lady and shouldn’t have spent the night with me. Yer reputation is now ruined.”
Siena started laughing. “I hate to tell you, but my reputation wasn’t too good at home, but for a different reason. I’m not sure that I’ve ever been a proper lady because I’ve lived such a sheltered life, but I thank you for your concern.”
Roderick chuckled. “This is different and all my fault. We shall marry.” The words were out of his mouth before he realized that he’d said them. He couldn’t believe what he’d just said, however, the look of astonishment on Siena’s face made Roderick want to smile again. Apparently, he’d shocked her. And he had most certainly shocked himself.
“You want me to marry you?”
“Aye.”
She had a doubtful look in her eyes. “You are not very good at proposing,” Siena told him.
“’Tis not every day that I ask someone to marry me, lass.” Hell, he never thought he would utter those words again in his lifetime.
“But you didn’t ask me.”
“Ye will marry me lass and be under my protection. I command it.”
“You cannot command someone to marry you.”
“Aye, I can.” He looked smug as he rocked back on his heels.
“But we don’t know each other very well.”
“People have started with less.” He extended his hand down to her. “Let’s go back to Black Dawn and make the announcement.”
Siena took his hand and stood. “Are you sure you want to do this?” She saw a sparkle in his eyes, and before she knew what was happening, Roderick had jerked her into his arms and kissed her. Not a gentle kiss. It was more like he was branding her. The demanding kiss robbed Siena of her breath. His tongue sank into her mouth and she felt the intimacy as she returned his kiss. She was so shocked at her own eager response that she couldn’t think, blood pounded in her brain and made her knees tremble. The kiss was exhilarating, making her want to get closer to him.
Suddenly, he lifted her away from him. The cold air quickly replaced the warmth of his body, and she knew she had a startled expression.
“Ye will marry me.”
