“There are no other terms.”
“The council serves in absence of a leader, does it not?”
“Aye.”
“And you are an unwilling laird.”
“A proxy laird,” Alex corrected.
“But still laird.”
“Yer point?”
“When a man comes into power, whether he wishes it or not, he must examine his conscience, determine what keeps him from his true destiny.”
“Ye know my reasons.”
“I do.”
“Is that not good enough?”
Petro averted his eyes. “I think not.”
“How so?”
Petro turned back to him. “How many people have told you the answer already?’
“It doesna matter what anyone else says. I asked ye.”
The scholar closed the leather-bound manuscript, then stood. “I prefer to answer while standing in front of you.”
“So I can punch ye if yer words offend?”
Petro chuckled. “A risk I’m willing to take.”
Though short, the Italian was muscular and confident. And when necessary, he could swing a sword. Alex waited for him to speak, though he could guess what would be said.
“The woman,” Petro started. “She belongs to you. Not your cousin. Not her father. Not any other man.”
Alex rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. “Keely.”
“Lady Keely,” Petro repeated. “You have theonlyclaim on her. I’ve read your sire’s journals, and your brother’s. Both acknowledged your right to her. Furthermore, you exchanged consents, which in the eyes of the law, means you are already married to the woman.”
“This canna be true. We never…”
“But the promise was made. Was it not?”
“Aye—more than once. In every way possible without having carnal knowledge of her.” Memories burned bright and passionate in Alex’s mind now. The feel of Keely’s plush lips on his, the soft curves of her body, the way she squirmed and bucked underneath him when he nearly claimed her maidenhead—before reason took over. He’d wanted to marry her in the eyes of God before he made love to her. Honor demanded it. But his body disagreed on every level—burning for the dark-haired beauty still.
“Unfortunately, Alex, it is the truth. Your brother’s marriage to Lady Keely was illegitimate. You are her husband.”
“Annulment.”
Petro shook his head. “The very thing you denied her. In order to keep peace with her clan, and to protect your people and assets, you must marry her again, only this time, do it with witnesses. Otherwise, according to the law, she must be returned to her family.”
“I have thought this over—considered every possible argument.”
“Except the finer details of the law. Even canon law.”
