She giggled, leaning forward slightly as she said, "You had me believing that my job would be painstakingly difficult."
"Nay, I didnae," Hugh said, unable to hide his smirk. She brought out a playful side of him that he couldn't help but indulge. "Though perhaps this next directive will be a bit harder."
"Is that so?" she asked, cocking her head innocently. "And what is my final rule or… duty?"
"Ye must bear me an heir," he said, letting his tone become serious. "That is the most important of yer duties."
The statement made Anna withdraw into her space. She watched him, as though waiting for him to explain that he was joking. Judging by the way the air bent around her, she likely couldn't believe that he would say something such as that.
She must have known. What other reason would we be wed for? I wouldnae have simply married her for her dowry. Me lineage needs to continue as well.
"I…" she began, her face turning a pretty shade of pink. "Well, I'm not sure I'm quite ready forthatyet."
"I'll give ye time to get comfortable with the idea," he said. Then, because he simply couldn't help himself, he added, "How about ye take a month to think about it? In the meantime, I'll help ye practice."
"Hugh!" she gasped, her cheeks getting red, the flush spreading down to her chest.
She's probably red everywhere. I daenae think anyone's ever spoken to her this way.
"I'm just tryin' to help," he responded, hiding his teasing behind an authoritative tone. "Ye'll only get better at things if ye practice."
Anna considered running, not because she was afraid. No, she thought about retreating because of the intense feelings stirring in her gut. The conversation was getting out of control faster than she could comprehend. She had no idea how to respond, because nothing felt appropriate.
She knew that the longer she waited to speak, the more unpredictable the situation would become. Though she was sure that he was only teasing her. Since they were married, she was the only woman he was allowed to speak to in this way.
"Well," she said, her voice coming out high-pitched and strained. Forcefully, she cleared her throat, attempting to gain control of herself once again. "Are you truly pleased with me?"
The smirk Hugh was wearing melted away. He answered slowly, as if he wasn't quite sure he'd heard the question. "Pleased with ye? Of course I am. Why wouldnae I be?"
"I'm sure you could find someone prettier than me," she admitted. While she intended to get the attention off of herself, she realized that she was drawing on old wounds that were still raw. "That's why I ask. Perhaps there's someone who could please you more."
Hugh scoffed, pushing himself to his feet. With a solemn sense of purpose, he stepped in front of Anna, kneeling so the two of them were at eye level. The conviction in his voice was so overwhelming that she found herself grateful to be sitting rather than standing.
My legs would collapse below me otherwise.
"Nay, Anna," he said, whiskey-smooth and deadly. "I'm nae interested in anyone but ye. And I willnae stop until ye believe it."
"But…" she began again, trailing off as she struggled to find an argument he wouldn't dispute.
"There's nay 'but'," he said, his strong hands landing on her knees. His focus was locked on her, pressing in on all sides. She couldn't get away, even if she wanted to. "I willnae let ye doubt me devotion. I willnae let the dobbers from yer past make ye feel as though ye arenae worthy."
"Hugh," she breathed, her legs parting as though by instinct.
The moment stretched thin between them, a blazing warmth crackling as they held each other's gaze. Something low in Anna's stomach twisted itself into a knot, begging for Hugh to undo it, to undoher. She swallowed hard, her throat clicking. He tracked the contraction of her neck like a predator stalking prey.
"Ye must be more confident," he said, the lower register of his voice making gooseflesh rise on her forearms. "Ye're Lady McDonald now. That is yer place. With me. Ye understand?"
"Y–yes," she stuttered, her breath coming in harsh gasps. "Yes, I understand."
"That's me girl," he rasped, his hands tightening on her knees, pushing the skirt of her gown up slightly. "Ye're beautiful, and I cannae have ye doubtin' it."
He didn't wait for her to respond, his hands climbing higher, his touch hot against her upper thighs. Her entire body trembled, anticipation making her feel lightheaded. She couldn't look away from him, couldn't bring herself to speak for fear of shattering the fragile balance.
Part of her wanted this moment to break, though. She needed to know where the moment led, how it culminated.
"Perhaps ye need me to prove it to ye," he said, lifting himself just enough that his mouth brushed against hers. "Me actions are more important than me words, Anna."
"Perhaps," she said, finding herself leaning in closer. "Perhaps you should."
