Page 19 of The Laird’s Wrong Wife

Ceana heard the limit clearly. “Until then, I remain yer captive.”

“That word sounds so serious, do ye nae think?”

She disliked the answer, though he had made no effort to disguise it.

“What kind of marriage do ye intend to have?” she pressed. “Because all I’ve heard so far is a lady for yer castle and a guardian for yer children.”

Oscar held her gaze. “That is accurate.”

She hated how his honesty chafed at her.

“We will keep separate chambers and separate private lives,” he continued. “I have nay need for a wife to care for beyond the duties we agree upon.”

Ceana’s fingers curled against her chest. “How convenient for ye.”

“It will protect both of us from expectations neither has chosen.”

“What expectations?”

“More children.” His voice remained level. “I already have an heir. I willnae ask ye to provide another, and I willnae come to yer bed for that purpose.”

That struck a place Ceana had kept hidden even from Daphne. She had believed her inability to bear children would prevent any man from choosing her. Oscar had removed that obstacle while confirming that their marriage would contain none of the tenderness or children she had trained herself to stop wanting.

“I wouldnae worry about that,” she said, bitterness sharpening the words before she could smooth them away.

Oscar’s eyes narrowed, and his hand paused near the contract. “What do ye mean?”

Ceana reached for her whisky again and took a small sip. The burn gave her time to turn her attention toward the parchment. “I mean ye have stated yer terms. I am considerin’ them.”

Returning home would expose Daphne. Remaining gave Ceana protection and a place beside two children who had already begun asking whether she would stay. The price was a marriage stripped of every hope she believed was beyond her reach anyway.

She set the cup down. “Any message to me faither must say that I agreed after negotiatin’ with ye. He must ken that I am safe.”

Oscar nodded his head. “Agreed.”

“Ye will search for Daphne and protect her wherever she chooses to live.”

“Aye.”

“Ye will refuse any attempt to force her into marriage, whether it comes from Angus, his faither, or mine.”

“Me word stands.”

Ceana drew a breath. “Then I accept the proposed marriage on those terms.”

Oscar’s attention sharpened. “Ye agree freely?”

“Aye. On the terms we have named.”

He extended his hand across the contract, and Ceana placed hers in it. His palm was broad and rough, warmed by the fire and the cup he had held earlier.

The handshake should have ended at once, but neither of them released the other.

Ceana felt her pulse beneath the fingers resting against her wrist. The closed door and late hour returned to her awareness as Oscar watched her across the parchment. His thumb shifted once against her knuckles, a movement small enough to have been accidental.

She withdrew her hand first and held it against her waist.

“A final copy will be prepared at first light,” Oscar said. “It will state yer consent and the terms we agreed upon. Formal declarations and witnesses will follow.”