“An heir? That’s the last thing I need,” he snorted. “Can ye imagine it, Laurie thinkin’ she’s goin’ to be replaced? I could never allow that.”
“Does Lauriewantto be laird? And would the people accept a female laird?”
He quirked an eyebrow. “Daenae ye think they should accept a female laird? Do ye think that women are less competent than men?”
Nora gave him a look. “Nobody with sense thinks that. I daenae mean that a womanshouldnaebe laird, I only ask if she’ll be accepted. Nae everybody thinks the same. Why, in England, women do nae inherit titles or estates.”
“Well, that seems like a good way to make sure Lauriedoesinherit—by reminding the people that we are not like the English, and that we do not care to follow their example.”
Nora opened her mouth, fully intending to ask another question. There was more to this story, she was sure of it. Before she could speak, Creighton interjected hastily.
“There’s goin’ to be a part here where I lift ye up, just for a moment. Be ready for it, aye?”
Flustered, Nora’s question faded from her mind. As promised, the dancers swirled together again, then Creighton grabbed her around the waist, effortlessly lifting her off her feet as if she weighed nothing more than a bag of feathers.
The music ended with a flourish. The dance was finished. The dancers staggered to a stop, laughing breathlessly. Nora and Creighton stood still, their eyes locked. She felt as if she could not look away. She could almost feel the warmth of his shoulders beneath her palms, even though they no longer touched.
Chest heaving from the exertion, Creighton took a single step forward. This brought him almost chest to chest with Nora. If she had leaned forward just an inch or two, she could have pressed her nose against his sweat-drenched shoulder.
“I may nae plan to marry, lass,” he said, slowly but carefully, catching her gaze to be sure that every word of his was understood. “But for the duration of our betrothal, ye are mine. Do ye understand that? Mine.”
A shiver rolled down her spine. Heat drenched her, head to foot, and the ache he seemed to inspire so often started up in her gut, threatening to begin its breathless pulsing between her thighs.
Stop it,Nora tried to order her body.I daenae want to feel like this.
Aye, ye do,her body responded, almost amused.
Clearing her throat, she tilted up her chin, refusing to glance away from him even for a moment.
“I see. Thank ye for makin’ that clear, Laird MacColl. If ye will excuse me, though, I am tired, and I’d like to go to bed. Daenae worry about escortin’ me; I’ll find somebody to show me the way. Please make me apologies to Helena and Laird MacCrimmon.”
He gave a tight nod and remained still as Nora pushed past him and left the dance floor. She thought she could feel eyes on her as she walked away, likely Hunter and Helena’s. Turning around seemed risky, so she kept walking, heading toward the castle.
Nobody came after her, not even Creighton.
That was a relief, wasn’t it?
CHAPTER 19
Creighton watched Nora stride away,disappearing into the shadow of the Keep. Shadows grew longer, and the lanterns shone brighter than ever. Night would fall in earnest soon, and the party would reach new heights.
Ordinarily, he would stay and celebrate with them, but tonight felt different. His limbs hung numbly around him, exhaustion resting over his whole frame like a weight. And Nora…
He cut off that thought. Thinking about Nora was a slippery slope. His lungs were full of the sharp scent of herbs, ofher.
Tightening his jaw, he turned on his heel and strode off the dance floor, pushing past new couples eager to claim a spot for the next dance. Crossing the green, he headed to where his cousin and aunt stood on the edge of the terrace. Side by side, they watched him approach impassively. They probably knew what was coming; Aunt Helena, in any case, would. Not much slipped past her sharp, inquisitive stare.
“Aunt,” he said shortly, reaching the terrace. “I’d be obliged if ye did nae interfere in me life again.”
Aunt Helena’s eyebrows flickered. “Are ye referrin’ to me suggestin’ that ye dance with yer betrothed? Come on, lad, there’s nothin’ to complain about.”
Creighton growled, low in his throat. “Ye ken exactly what I am talkin’ about, aunt.”
“I’m sure she does,” Hunter intervened, catching Creighton’s gaze and holding it. Not for the first time, Creighton was struck by the resemblance between himself and his cousin. They might have been brothers, mightn’t they?
It would have been good to have a brother. Someone to share the burden.
Nay,he scolded himself, suddenly angry at the weakness.This is nae a burden to share. A brother would only complicate things.
