Helena silently prayed before steeling herself—she could not let her fear show.
“Nae to worry, Me Laird. I promise ye I’ll fight ye harder than an angry badger should ye attempt to take me captive.” Her eyes gleamed with challenge, accentuated by the firelight.
At her words, Michael spit out the sip of ale he had just taken, while Alexander smirked.
Now that they had all settled around the fire, the MacAllisters sat on one side and Helena sat on the other. The cat returned to settle in her lap.
She pulled out a handful of shortbread from her bag, took one, and passed the remainder to Alexander to split with his man-at-arms.
“I apologize if, God forbid, there are peas in it,” Helena muttered quietly.
The men examined the shortbread, perplexed by her comment.
She took a bite and held the rest of the piece up to show them. “I promise it isnae poisoned.”
She took the opportunity to take the Laird in. He was tall—much taller than her—with broad shoulders and muscular arms. His green and blue tartan was wrapped such that his muscular chest was exposed.
His long black hair was tied back, a scruffy beard of the same shade covering his strong jawline. She noticed a long scar along his left cheekbone nearly hidden by his facial hair.
He caught her looking at him, his hazel eyes locking onto hers. That sent a shiver down her spine, but it also heightened the pulsing sensation she felt in her belly. She could feel herself flushing and looked away quickly.
“So, what is this meeting about, lass? I dinnae have all day,” Alexander asked, staring down at her doubtfully. “Ye’re bold to come so close to MacAllister Castle.”
Oh, Lord.
She could feel a blush blooming on her cheeks at being caught gazing at him, and she chastised herself inwardly.
What would Aunt Sophia say, makin’ eyes at the enemy?
Helena fidgeted beneath his gaze, stroking the cat’s soft fur for comfort. Impatiently, Alexander motioned for her to answer.
“Well, I would like to see an end to this war. Wouldnae ye? I feel like both our clans’ resources are bein’ wasted on an endless pursuit when bigger threats lurk further beyond our borders,” Helena stated. “The Brits, for one, are becomin’ quite troublesome. I fear we are headed for a full-blown rebellion soon.”
“Aye. That still doesnae tell me why ye requested this meetin’, lass.” Alexander crossed his arms again, kicking his legs out in front of him. His irritation permeated the air between them. “I have petitioned yer faither repeatedly for a chance to negotiate a truce for those very reasons. To date, he has rejected me requests.”
“Aye, I ken. Which is why I sent ye the letter requestin’ to meet with ye,” Helena explained, wringing her hands nervously. “I ken how to end the war. A way to force me faither’s hand. A way to initiate a truce he would have to accept.”
“I dinnae follow, lass.” Alexander leaned forward, his eyes boring into hers. “What does this have to do with ye?”
“Well…” Helena looked nervously at her cat, who was purring in her lap as he slept. “That’s why I asked ye to meet us. I’ve come up with a way to end the war between our clans.”
“Aye? What’s that?” Alexander raised an eyebrow, enjoying the way she fidgeted under his gaze.
“Well, I propose that we—as in, ye and I—get married.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Alexander exchanged amused looks with his brother. He had to admit that he admired the lass’s tenacity.
Broderic had spoken affectionately about the feisty maiden on the few occasions that she had been brought up over the years. Alexander had never had the opportunity to meet her until now, though. Chester had made it a point to keep his daughter locked away in MacPherson Castle.
Now, Alexander could understand why. The lass was a bit of a loose cannon, witty and beautiful. What a combination.
Now that I laid me eyes on her, I cannae say I blame the man one bit. She’s the kind that attracts trouble, in so many ways.
His loins tightened as his thoughts ran rampant for a moment.
That’s nae to say she isnae right. What if I took her back with me? What if I made her me wife? Then, I could take me timediscoverin’ exactly what is hidden beneath that arisaid. Over and over again, anytime I like.
