Page 21 of Betrayed by His Highland Wife

A great cheer went up, but Nora found herself looking unsurely at her father. But the blond man paid no heed. He was beaming. The chamber erupted in drunken roaring. It was so loud that it drowned out all other noise. But through their midst, Nora saw her father staring.

It was cold, and it was hard. There was nothing drunk about him, she felt sure. Then, she tensed as he spoke.

"Aye, to the union between oor two clans," he slurred, but by now Nora knew it was false. He was perfectly in charge of the situation. It just suited him better to pretend not to be.

"To the clans!" called the courtier again, as immediately his voice was drowned out in a hail of cheers.

"To the clans!"

The noise was at a breakneck level. Overwhelmed, Nora did not think she could take anymore, so she was most glad when a hush fell over the table.

William stood up. "An' I would hereby also like to make a toast," tapped William, his blue eyes darting curiously around the room. A deeper silence fell into the hall. "I would like to toast to Nora, the darling o' the land. She is so sweet, there is nay need to look any further for a bride. But there is this..."

He cleared his throat, and suddenly, everyone looked around.

"I believe we should fully an' properly get to ken each other afore the wedding. I should like to postpone the big day until then."

Nora's heart almost stopped. He was avoiding saying it, but he sounded as if he was skipping out on her. All the same, she did her best to smile as if nothing were wrong. Not so for her father, who had different ideas entirely. Instantly, he sat up, looking far more sprightly than hitherto.

"Och, sonny, there's plenty o' chance to get to ken the lassie," he said, a big fake grin wrapped around his features.

Nora shuddered. She knew that look. Her father was excellent at pulling it. But she could see beneath it. And at its heart was a rage. An all-consuming furor had built up in him. His spleen was full and ready to vent.

But William just smiled. Nora blinked uncertainly. Had he really not seen it? Was he truly that blind?

"I ken," he said assuredly. His grin was broad and real. William looked for all the world like he had nothing to get upset about. "An' that's why I think we have time to do it right; to do ourselves justice!"

This was not the answer her father wanted, Nora could tell. But all the same, Nora was not going to be the one to stop him. The Douglas laird stood up.

"Well, we can postpone until the end o' the week?" said Douglas uncertainly.

But William just laughed. "Och, I was thinking o' a wee bit longer," he said, with a grin. "Then plenty o' time to unite the clans."

Nora shared a look with her father. Both of them stared in open disbelief. Finally, Nora said something. Someone had to.

"I...am weary," she complained, although deep down the headache that was building had been with her for some time.

In concern, William turned to her. "Ye should rest," he said genially.

"Perhaps it is time for my bed," she said somewhat bluntly. She had not been lying about the migraine. The aura swirled around her head, making her woozy.

"Allow me to assist," said William, helping her up.

Nora indulged in the warm scent of the man coming off him. His soft touch began to rouse her. But, in an instant, it was gone. Smiling, William backed off, leaving it to Sorcha to help her leave.

Slowly, Nora rose, as all around, eyes clung to her. "Aye, sir. Ye have reason. I must abed..."

Her eyes met his and held there for a while. There was something mesmerizing in them. But she would not get away that quick. To her surprise, her father also scrambled to his feet, feigning his concern loudly.

"Och, I will see the silly wee hen up to her chambers," he said, with a sudden and miraculous sobriety. He ordered Sorcha away with a single glance and sent a guarded smile to the Duncan laird.

"Ensure the lady sleeps well," said William, with a smile. He was curious but beginning to back off. Perhaps it was just as well.

Nora wiped beads of sweat from her cheeks. It was suddenly hot in there, and she was melting. And not just physically.

William had unnerved her. His touch had seeped down inside her, and she longed to feel it again. This was never part of the plan. All things considered, perhaps it was best that her father should escort her.

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