Page 65 of The Lady of Her Highland Clan

"But, well, an alliance is just that, but I was thinking o' something a wee bit...closer." Fraser's eyes widened greedily. The look he shot her said it all. "If ye want him tae be free..."

Fiona pretended not to understand.

"Closer?" she said, blinking.

It is working; he is in.

"Well, a union between us," said Fraser, his brown eyes alighting upon her. Fiona felt his gaze bore through her, looking her up and down as if her clothing was not there.

A shiver ran through her, and it was not all the cold draft that had just crept into the room.

"I mean marriage," said Fraser, if it were not sufficiently clear.

Fiona pretended to look shocked.

"Och," said Fiona. She pulled a face of deep thought. "Ye mean...us, married, an' then ye'll let Clyde go?"

She opened her eyes imploringly as Fraser laughed.

"Aye, sweeting," he said, a wide grin unfurling across his face. "That's exactly what I'm suggesting."

"I see," said Fiona, looking as if she was thinking it through. Inside, she was smiling.

Aye, it worked, the smug fool!

Of course, it had been her plan all along to propose marriage with Fraser. But she realized it would work best if Fraser had thought it was his idea.

"Well," she said, frowning, "I would have tae ask for a sizable amount o' coin."

Now it was Fraser's turn to look surprised. Ruffled, he sat up in his seat.

"Because I ken ye've got clan gold," said Fiona, turning her face toward him and eyeing him succinctly. This time she did not mince her words. "I ken where an' how ye got it, too..."

Fiona watched as Fraser's expression changed fast. He had not been prepared for this.

But quickly, he recovered his composure.

"Hearsay," said Fraser dismissively. But a slant of the eye from Fiona was enough to make him unsure of himself. "But, och, alright, we can come tae some settlement."

Fiona smiled. "Well, that's braw then. An' ye'll really let Clyde go?"

"I will let him go...an' banish him from here. But he'll be safe," said Fraser. "I am a man o' my word, Fiona." Fiona tried her hardest not to scoff. Instead, she nodded.

"Well, there's just one thing," said Fiona, her cheeks pricking with color. "That ye'll take me tae Clyde an' see him. I want tae make sure he really is still alive."

"Och, of course he is," said Fraser. He looked annoyed.

But Fiona shook her head. "I dinnae ken that. I need tae see him before I can accept," she said.

Finally, Fraser relented. "Alright," he said thoughtfully. "Ye shall see yer love one last time..."