He slowly inclined his head. “It does.”
Her brother was a dead man walking. Orsleeping as it probably was. Victor knew better! What in the nameof God had he been thinking? Ironically, Veronica was angrier withher damned brother than she was with Laird Kong. This newdevelopment was the last thing she had expected to hear. She raiseda dramatic palm to her forehead. “I take it this isourbedroom and not justmybedroom?”
“Aye.”
“But we barely know each other!” she quietlyhissed, not wanting to be overheard. “How am I supposed to sleepnext to you, much less, as you so eloquently called it,consummate?”
“How do brides go aboot it in yourtime?”
“They don’t!” she hysterically informed him.“Marriage happens after a lengthy courtship followed by a proposaland an acceptance of that proposal by the woman!”
“’Tis a pity, that. Leastways, you willfigure out how to accept your fate.”
She blinked. Her jaw fell open. “Well you’vegot that all wrapped up and tied in a neat little bow.”
“Eh?”
“Never mind.” She waved that away. Veronicawas too focused on her deceitful brother and the entire marriageproclamation to give the pending consummation much thought. Sex shecould deal with, but marriage? She had never envisioned herselfliving with a man, much less marrying one, but this was a differentworld. She didn’t know what to think or how to feel. It was all toonew. “Why would Victor agree to this?”
He shrugged. It was an action he did oftenand one that was starting to annoy her somewhat.
“I told him he would go back to the dungeonif he dinna give me his ‘aye’ on your behalf.” Lachlan’s expressionwas matter-of-fact, as if everything he said made sense. “So hegave me and Father Archer your ‘aye.’”
She supposed Father Archer was the name ofthe priest who’d wed them. “I see.” Her eyes narrowed. “You wereactually going to put Victor in a dungeon if he didn’t say yes tothe marriage?”
“Nay. I just told him ‘twas what wouldhappen.”
The man truly had no shame. He’d admit toanything with nary a blink. His naked honesty was slightlyexasperating. Not to mention, she begrudgingly conceded, annoyinglyadmirable. Most men would stand there equivocating; this one ownedup to his misdeeds without hesitation. Though, in all likelihood,the giant probably didn’t view his actions as misdeeds.
Veronica fell back onto the bed as her angertowards Victor began to recede. Her poor brother had probably beenterrified of the fate that he believed awaited him. Victor was anerdy if handsome AI scientist, not a soldier. He wouldn’t havelasted one day in a dark, dreary dungeon. Something Lachlan hadsaid finally penetrated.“I told him he would go back to thedungeon if he dinna give me his ‘aye’ on your behalf.”He wouldgobackto the dungeon?
“You put my brother in a damned dungeonbefore?”
“Aye.”
Her frown was severe. “Why? When? For howlong?”
“I dinna believe his tale of time travelswhen first I found him. He dwelled within the dungeon for somemonths. Leastways, he was well taken care of. He wanted fornothing.”
“He likely needed fresh air andsunlight!”
Lachlan shrugged again—yeah, that reactionwas growing irritating for sure. “His cell was well lit during thedays. Leastways, in my position, what would you have done?”
That took the wind out of her sails.Nothing. She wouldn’t have done anything differently. “I take yourpoint.”
Lost in her thoughts, Veronica was taken bysurprise when the doors to the bedroom opened and female servantswalked in carrying a trencher of food and a jug of presumed drink.She slowly sat back up, careful to maintain her modesty by keepingthe covers over her chemise-clad breasts.
“Milady,” the oldest looking of the servantssaid on a curtsy. “I am Maisie. This here is Isla and Ailsa. We arehonored to make your acquaintance and welcome you to your newhome.”
Uncertain what to say, Veronica hesitantlysmiled. “The honor is mine,” she said dumbly. It didn’t feel likeenough so she scrambled for more words. “I appreciate you bringingme food at this late hour.”
The servants beamed at her faint praise. Shesupposed that was a good thing.
“You will see them again in the morn,”Lachlan finally said, shooing the servants from his bedroom.
His actions were, per usual, high handed,but Veronica said nothing. She was still at her wit’s end trying totake in the totality of what was now her life. From a plaguesurvivor to a hostage bride within the blink of an eye. It was alot. She sighed, knowing there could be worse fates. At least Kongover there was handsome and honest to a fault. At least she waswhatever a lady is and not a servant or peasant. Out of all thewould-be scenarios, her lot wasn’t so bad. Was it? Deep in thought,she almost didn’t notice when Lachlan stood over her holding atrencher of foodstuffs and a goblet of some liquid or another.
“Eat and drink, lady,” the laird orderedher. “’Twill make you feel better.”
