“I want ye tae listen,” she interrupted, knowing what he likely was going to say about Remy. “It just happened, Ian. Remy was a perfect gentleman and did nothing wrong. I… ” She paused not knowing how to explain her feelings for Remy. “I love him,” she declared. “I want tae be with him.”
“Gretna,” Ian started again, but she shook her head, silencing him once more.
“Please, donna tell mah who he is,” she replied. “Because tis not who he is to me. Remy Wallace is everything I could want in a Scot, in a husband. All ye need tae do is talk tae him aboot it.”
“Oh, I plan tae,” Ian cut in, his jaw clenching. “Because he was kissing mah sister and that was not part of anything I said tae either of ye.”
“Perhaps not,” Gretna stated, her cheeks heating. “But I did return that kiss and the others between us.”
Her brother groaned. “Gretna, lass, I could have done without that knowledge.”
“I just want ye tae know that this isna a passing fancy,” she answered, letting her heart speak through her words. “If he asks mah tae marry him, I will accept.” This would be her greatest memory tae date.
Ian regarded her for a moment before shaking his head.
“I will speak tae Remy shortly and if he doesna have the same words that ye have.”
“He will,” Gretna said confidently, knowing that Remy loved her. She knew it was difficult for her brother to believe what they were saying given Remy’s history, but Gretna would bet her life on his love for her. Nothing that her brother could say was going to change what they had between them. “And if he does, ye will approve our relationship.”
Ian lifted a brow. “Are ye giving mah demands now?”
Gretna nodded, not afraid of her brother. “Aye, Ian, I am.”
Ian shook his head. “I’ve lost all control of mah own family,” he muttered, pushing himself out of his chair. “Go and make yerself scarce. Tis time that Remy and I have a conversation.”
Gretna stood as well, laying her hand on his arm. “Please, hear him out before ye judge him too rashly.”
“Fine,” he grumbled. “I will try.”
Gretna nodded but inside she felt sick to her stomach now. Ian wouldn’t try to ruin her happiness, would he?
Ian Wallace, leader of the Wallace clan, strode out of his keep like a Scot on a mission, heading to the spot where he knew his closest friend would be. Of all the things he thought he would have to deal with when his sister returned, not once had something like that crossed his mind. Ian didn’t know what todo when he found Remy kissing Gretna and more importantly, what to do as he witnessed his sister thoroughly enjoying it.
It was all rather confusing.
Ian moved toward the sparring ring, his mind in turmoil. His sister had made a convincing argument that what he had seen between them was as true as his love was with Ida, but Ian wasn’t that convinced. He had known Remy all his life and while he didn’t think that his closest friend would have taken advantage of his sister, Remy’s past life was clouding Ian’s judgment right now. He needed to hear it from Remy’s lips that he wanted something more than a rut with Gretna.
He truly hoped he didn’t have to gut his closest friend today.
Remy was in the sparring ring with another one of their warriors as Ian came closer, their swords clanging in the still morning. Remy caught his eye the moment Ian reached the fence and quickly disarmed his opponent with such precision that Ian could only be in awe of the talent. That was why Remy was his captain.
But did he also want the title of brother-in-law as well?
Remy slapped the Scot on the back and rested the point of his sword on the ground. “Mah Laird.”
Ian climbed into the ring and approached Remy, seeing the wary look on his face. Before he realized what he was doing, Ian swung his fist and it collided with Remy’s jaw, causing him to stumble back a few feet in the dust. “Wot was that for?” Remy asked as Ian shook out his stinging hand.
“Ye know exactly wot that is for!” Ian shouted back. “Ye laid a hand on mah sister!”
Remy rubbed his jaw but didn’t retaliate, his shoulders slumping. “Aye, I did.”
Ian’s chest heaved with anger and hurt. “I trusted ye around her. I thought ye would treat her like family.”
“I tried!” Remy shouted back, frustration on his face. “She’s infuriatingly difficult when she wants tae be.” Blowing out a breath, he looked away. “And far more special than I ever thought.”
There was a ring of truth in Remy’s words and Ian felt his anger start to lose its grip on his soul. “Just tell mah wot happened.”
Remy chuckled, picking up his sword out of the dirt and wiping it on his breeks. “I honestly donna know. One minute I wanted tae wrap mah hands around her neck and the next, well, I was losing everything I knew tae her.”
