Her eyes traveled over him in a calculating manner, taking in his impressive physique."Mother Nature has been very generous with ye.Ye're everything they said, and more."
It should have been a compliment.It sounded like one.But something about her heated gaze made Cormac's skin prickle with discomfort.
The morning devolved into a seemingly endless series of pleasantries – a tour of the Keep, a lavish midday meal, polite conversation that revealed absolutely nothing of substance.Through it all, Annag was charming.Gracious.Everything a future laird's wife should be.
Except Cormac noticed small things.The way she snapped at a servant who spilled wine.The disdainful look she gave Nessa's simple gown.The gleam in her eye whenever his father mentioned the Stewart holdings.
By midafternoon, Cormac was looking for any excuse to escape.He found it when Annag's parents announced they needed to rest before supper, and his own mother went to oversee preparations for the evening meal.
"Perhaps Master Cormac could show me the gardens," Annag said sweetly."I've heard they're quite lovely."
It wasn't a request.
Cormac forced a smile."Aye, of course."
***
THE GARDENS WERE INDEEDlovely in the late afternoon light, but Cormac barely noticed.He was too focused on trying to figure out how to extricate himself from this entire situation.
"Ye seem distracted," Annag said after they'd walked in silence for several minutes.
"Forgive me," Cormac replied."I have much on my mind."
"Is it about yer work as a bard?"
Cormac grimaced."I am not a bard."
"But ye spend all yer time wandering about the countryside.Ye may as well be one."She tilted her head."I'll not have a husband who sits idle and does naught but sing tales and drink too much wine."
"Then perhaps 'tis right that we dinnae marry," Cormac replied."If ye please, I think we should return.'Tis getting cold."He turned and began walking back toward the Keep.
Cormac knew he was being rude, but he was done.This woman had no right to judge him.In the past decade he had worked for two kings and amassed a sizeable fortune in the process.He was well respected by his men and had never passed an idle day in his entire life.But their short exchange had told him plainly enough that this woman would make a terrible wife.
She fell into step beside him, quickening her pace to match his."Wait, I did not mean to offend.'Tis just that a man of yer ilk should be making something of himself.Ye should settle, lead the clan, take yer rightful position as laird."
"My father would have to be dead for that to happen.Is that what ye are suggesting?"
"No!Of course not.I simply meant ye have so much to offer, and yet ye waste it wandering about with no purpose."She moved closer, her hand resting lightly on his arm."I merely meant to say that it must be lonely.All that time away from home and family."
"I manage," he replied.
"But would it not be nice to have someone waiting for ye?Someone to return home to?"
Cormac took a deliberate step back."Miss Ruthven, allow me to be plain.I dinnae want this marriage.If ye believed otherwise, then I apologize."
Annag's expression shifted.Some of the sweetness fell away."I'm afraid ye dinnae have a choice.Our fathers have already agreed on the terms.The betrothal documents are being signed as we speak."Her smile returned, cooler now."I thought surely yer da told ye – that's why they asked us to take a walk, so we might come to ken one another better."
Cormac felt ice flood his veins."What did ye say?"
"The betrothal between ye and me.'Twas all arranged weeks ago.This visit is merely a formality, a chance for us to meet before the wedding."
"There is not going to be a wedding," Cormac bit out.
"The contracts are as good as signed.The agreement is binding, unless ye wish to pay the penalty and embarrass both our families."She pressed herself against him in a way that was distinctly improper."But why would ye want to refuse?I'm bonnie, and I can give ye strong, healthy sons.We could even couple tonight if ye need convincing – we are all but married already."
Cormac took her by the wrists and firmly set her away from him.He frowned, wondering why she was so eager to wed, and so quick to fall into bed with him.Something did not sit right.
"No amount of swiving will convince me to marry ye," he said."I want a wife I choose for myself, not one chosen behind my back by scheming parents!"
