The council memberslooked at each other, clearly unsure how to proceed. They had never seen their laird so determined, so... ruthless.
He stood,his decision made. "Me mind is made up. I'll marry Sophie, and that's the end of it. Any man who objects can take it up with me personally."
The threatin his voice was clear, and not a single councilman dared to speak against him. Kenneth nodded, satisfied. "Now, if there's nothing else, I have a proposal to make."
Without waiting for a response,he strode out of the council chambers, his heart pounding with a mixture of determination and dread. He had no idea how Sophie would react to his decision, but he knew one thing for certain: he wasn't about to let her go without a fight.
As he madehis way through the castle, searching for Sophie, Kenneth's mind raced with all the things he needed to say to her. He had been a fool to push her away, to deny the feelings that had been growing between them since the moment they met. But now, he would make her understand that this was the only way forward.
He foundher in the garden, sitting on a stone bench with a book in her lap. The sight of her took his breath away. The afternoon sun caught the golden highlights in her hair, and her brow was furrowed in concentration as she read.
"Sophie,"he called out, his voice gruff and commanding.
She looked up,startled by his sudden appearance. "Kenneth? I... I didn't expect to see ye here."
He moved closer,his face a mask of stern determination. "We need to talk."
Sophie's expression grew wary."About what?"
Kenneth took a deep breath,steeling himself for what he was about to say. "The council has been pressing me to find ye a husband. They believe it's the only way to secure our position against yer brother's threats."
Sophie's eyes widened."And have ye... have ye chosen someone?"
"Aye,"Kenneth growled. "I have. I've decided to marry ye meself."
Sophie gasped,her book falling forgotten to the ground. "Ye... what?"
"Ye heard me,"Kenneth said, his voice cold and unyielding. "We'll be married as soon as possible. It's the best solution for everyone involved."
Sophie stood,her eyes flashing with anger. "The best solution? Ye cannae just decide this without even asking me! I thought... I thought ye were going to let me choose."
Kenneth's jaw clenched."That was before I realized how dire our situation is. We daenae have the luxury of choice anymore, Sophie. This is about survival - for both of us."
"But what about love?"Sophie asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Daenae I deserve to marry someone who loves me?"
For a moment,Kenneth felt a pang of guilt. But he quickly pushed it aside. "Love is a luxury we cannae afford," he growled. "This is about protection, about securing our future. Ye'll be me wife in name and in deed, but daenae expect anything more than that."
Sophie's eyesfilled with tears, but Kenneth hardened his heart against the sight. He couldn't afford to show weakness, not now.
"Ye cannae do this,"Sophie said, her voice shaking with anger and hurt. "Ye cannae force me to marry ye."
Kenneth's eyesflashed dangerously as he stepped closer to Sophie, his body radiating heat and raw power. He reached out, his calloused hand cupping her cheek with surprising gentleness.
"I can, and I will, Sophie,"he murmured, his breath hot against her ear. "I am the laird of this clan, and me word is law." His thumb traced her lower lip, "Ye'll be me wife, in every way, whether ye like it or not." His eyes, dark with desire, locked onto hers. "And I think ye'll find ye like it very much indeed."
CHAPTER FIVE
How had it come to this? She had thought Kenneth cared for her. But now she saw the truth - she was nothing more than a pawn in his political games, a means to an end.
As the sunbegan to set, casting long shadows across the garden, Sophie's tears finally subsided. In their place, a cold determination took root. If Kenneth wanted a wife in name only, that's exactly what he would get.
With trembling hands,Sophie picked up her fallen book and stood. She had preparations to make, after all. A wedding to plan, a new life to face. And if her heart felt like it was shattering into a thousand pieces, well... that was a luxury she could no longer afford.
Sophie madeher way back to her chambers, her mind racing with the implications of Kenneth's announcement. As she pushed open the heavy oak door, she was surprised to find Arabella waiting for her, a concerned look on her face.
"Sophie!"Arabella exclaimed, rushing to her side. "What's happened? Ye look as though ye've seen a ghost."
Sophie sankonto the edge of her bed, her legs suddenly unable to support her. "Yer brother," she said, her voice hoarse from crying, "has decided that we are to be married."
