“Iwillbe safe from Richard, you mean.”
Duncan met her eyes. “Aye, and everything else that is unpleasant in the world. And one day I hope youwilltrust me.”
Trust. The word shook her. One week ago, he had been consumed by only one ambition—tokillRichard Bennett. He wasstillconsumed by the loss of his former betrothed. He could not possibly have been cured of that grief after only one week, just because he desired her physical y and had proposed marriage to strike a bargain of loyalty. And he had been lying to her about his identity since the moment she met him.
“What about my uncle?” she asked. “He is my guardian. I could not possibly do this without his consent.”
“I’llsend for him.”
“And do what?” she asked with sarcasm. “Win his esteem?”
Duncan’s eyes lifted. “Aye. I saved you from the Butcher of the Highlands, didn’t I? And I would wager your father would have been more than pleased if I’d asked for your hand when he was here in the spring.”
She marveled at his confidence. “I have a dowry, you know. It’s quite substantial.”
“I care nothing about that, lass, but I’lltake it. For the good of Scotland. We are agreed then?”
She took a deep breath and prayed that she was doing the right thing. “Yes, we are agreed.”
He started for the door. “Good. You’llwrite to Bennett today and end your engagement, but do not seal the letter. I’llbe reading it before it’s sent.”
“And what about trust?”
He shook his head. “Not yet.”
She sighed forlornly, then said one last thing before he left.
“Iwilloblige you in that, Duncan, but in the future…”
He waited for her to finish.
“If it is a docile wife you are seeking, you should know that youwillnot find it in me.”
He faced her squarely. “I have no interest in a docile wife. I wantyou.And I like it better that you can defend yourself—even against the likes of me. On that note, you are mine now, so I’llcome to your bed tonight.willyou receive mewillingly?”
She lifted her chin. “As long as you don’t bring your axe.”
He grinned. “Just my hands, then. And my mouth. And one other thing.”
“I suppose you are referring to your sense of humor?” she countered. “Or perhaps your boyish charm.”
He stared at her with a slight glimmer of amusement, then left her alone in the room to comprehend the shocking magnitude of what she had just agreed to.
Not only had she agreed to become his countess, she had given him permission to come to her bed tonight when they were not yet man and wife.
Would he take her virginity, or would it be like the other times? Would he stop if she asked him to?
Would she evenwanthim to stop?
No, she decided. No, she would not. Despite everything, her desire for him was immense. After everything they’d done together, she belonged to him, body and soul, and tonight he would claim her as his wife inallbut name. There would be no turning back. He would make sure of it.
She forced herself to focus instead on what she had achieved. She had bargained for a soldier’s life, and she had won. Now it would be up to the King’s army to decide his fate. Which was only right.
More important, she had bargained for the salvation of Duncan’s soul, and for that she would have no regrets.
* * *
“They say they have never laid eyes on him,” MajorWilliamJones explained, feeling sick to his stomach as he emerged from the cottage, locked the door from the outside, and mounted his horse. “The wife claims he’s nothing but a legend.”
