To her surprise—and relief—Niall was seated at one of the tables having breakfast. Or rather, breakfast was being served to him by an attractive, smiling maid whose generous cleavage was showing above the peasant blouse she wore. Annie narrowed her eyes. Had Niall spent the night with the girl? Had there been any empty rooms available? The idea of another woman curled up against him, naked, enjoying having him do the things he’d done tohermade Annie’s female parts heat while the blood in her veins turned cold.
Niall looked up and caught her gaze. His expression was impassive and she couldn’t tell if he was still upset with her or not. Neither could she tell from his bland expression if he’d sated the barmaid’s needs last night either. Drat it.
“I believe we’ll need another plate,” Niall said to the serving girl as Annie approached his table.
The girl gave Annie a look that was none too friendly and flounced off. Annie stared after her, chewing her lip as she sat down, then she turned to Niall. “Did ye…”
He raised a brow slightly as her question trailed off. “Did I what?”
Annie felt her face warm. She’d almost asked him if he’d spent the night with the serving girl. “I meant, why did ye nae return to our room?”
His brow rose higher. “Why would I?”
She didn’t much like the tone of that question. She wasn’t sure what he meant either. “We need to talk.”
“Talk?” Niall shrugged. “Ye made yourself quite clear last evening. There is nae more to be said.”
But there was! She wanted to explain that she wasn’t rejecting him, she was simply rejecting the idea of marriage. But then, she’d also have to delve into her reasons and that would probably bring about another argument or, worse, a declaration not sincerely meant. Perhaps it was best to postpone that discussion.
“I did nae mean to put ye out, Niall.”
He shrugged again. “I managed.”
Anne frowned. Just whom did he manage with? The serving girl? Or maybe some other woman who worked here? Annie remembered there had been several in the public room last night. She couldn’task, for heaven’s sake. Her mouth seemed to be functioning on its own though.
“Did the inn have an extra room, then?”
A corner of his mouth lifted. “I was comfortable enough.”
That wasn’t answering her question, blast it. But then she realized he wasn’t going to. From the quirky smile, he was probably enjoying baiting her. Her temper began to rise and she lifted her chin. “Forget I asked. It is nae my business.”
Niall gave her a level look. “We can agree on that, at least.”
Argh! The man was infuriating. Annie opened her mouth to retort and then snapped it shut as the maid approached with a bowl of porridge and a plate of coddled eggs and ham. “Thank ye,” Annie managed to say between nearly gritted teeth.
“Ye had best eat all of it,” Niall said after the girl left. “Since the roads are good from here to Glasgow, I rented a carriage for ye.”
Annie looked at him, startled. Was he abandoning her after all? “Are ye going to ride with me?”
Niall shook his head. “I will ride behind to make sure we are nae followed. If we doona stop except to rest the horses, we can make the city by nightfall.”
“But it took us almost two days on the trip up.”
“The leg wound made for slower going,” Niall replied. “I am sure your mother will be anxious to see ye.”
Which really meant Niall was anxious to be rid of her. He wasn’t even riding in the carriage. It was also obvious he did not want to spend another night at an inn with her. Annie fixed her eyes on her food so he wouldn’t see her disappointment. She wouldn’t have minded a repeat performance of what they had done, if for no other reason than to prove to Niall she wasn’t rejectinghim. Annie gave herself an inward shake. Liar. It wasn’t about rejecting Niall. It was about how good the whole experience had felt. She really, really,reallywould have liked that one more time.
But Niall evidently didn’t agree.
****
Ten hours had never lasted so long. By the time they sighted Glasgow, the gloaming had descended, mirroring Niall’s darkened mood.
Annie Ferguson was the most stubborn woman he’d ever encountered. Next to her, his sister Margaret seemed as docile and agreeable as a spring lamb, a description his brothers would no doubt feel made him a candidate for London’s Bedlam. But it was true. Ninety-nine percent of young womenwantedhusbands, if for no other reason than to have someone provide a house and funds. He’d avoided the parson’s noose often enough. And now—now—when he’d made an honorable offer of marriage because he wanted to protect Annie, she was the one woman who didn’t want to get married.
Obstinate creature! But even she couldn’t deny what had happened between them in bed last night had been nothingshort of fantastic. Niall might not understand how a female’s mind worked, but he damn well knew when a woman had been pleasured. And Annie had responded with unfettered passion just as he had always suspected she would. He admired her strength and independence. He knew there would never be a dull moment in her presence. But, most of all, the thought of having her in his bed nightly had been consuming him for weeks. He finally understood why his brother Alasdair had been so besotted with Bridget. For the first time in Niall’s life, the thought of settling down, remaining faithful, and having a family appealed to him.
Family. Niall’s mind jolted from his doldrums. Lord Almighty. He may already have gotten Annie with child. He hadn’t taken his usual precautions because he’d assumed that she would agree to marriage once they’d physically coupled. Most single ladies expected a marriage proposal if they’d been caught in a compromising situation and they demanded it if liberties were taken beyond a kiss or two. Physical coupling certainly met both standards. But then, Annie Ferguson was the other one percent.
