Page 12 of Her Accidental Highlander Husband

“That was delicious. It’s been so long since I’ve enjoyed good food.” When she smiled at him he lost his breath. “Thank you, Cameron.”

He swallowed and managed to nod, thinking he’d gladly give her his last morsel and waste away into dust if she asked it of him. How could anyone look into those smiling eyes and treat her harshly? He couldn’t imagine it. Clearly the duke hadn’t had a soul.

He cleared his throat in an effort to dislodge the anger rising in him. “I believe we have entertainment tonight. Would you like to stay, or are you too tired?”

She bit her bottom lip for a moment. “I’d like to stay. If you would.”

He pushed away his disappointment, not exactly sure why he was disappointed.

He doubted she would invite him to her bed—make that his bed—after they’d married by accident. It wasn’t that they were truly man and wife, except in the legal sense. Then again, the legal sense was all most marriages started with. And technically, the marriage wasn’t officially legal until it was consummated.

They stayed throughout the evening’s entertainments, and then she excused herself to go to their room. When he offered to escort her, she refused his offer and nearly sprinted from the hall for the stairs.

Cam might have considered sleeping in the great hall, except the other men would know it. Their joking didn’t bother him, but he wouldn’t let Lach think he was put out of his own room.

When he’d given her ample time to get ready for bed, he went to his chamber and knocked on the door. He waited for her to answer before entering.

She was sitting in bed, her golden hair braided over one shoulder. The fire had died down, making the room dim, but he could see enough to know her gaze was intent on her lap where she twisted her fingers. It looked painful, and he wanted to go to her to make her stop, but when he took a step toward her, she gasped in fear.

He changed direction toward the fire and stirred the logs to give more light.

He thought briefly of what it might be like to sleep next to her, or even to consummate the marriage they had stumbled into earlier that day. But when he saw her anxiety, he tossed thoughts of that possibility aside.

She’d been married to a cruel man and probably expected even worse from a large Scottish brute. He’d give her time to acclimate to their situation and get comfortable with him.

When he stepped closer to the bed to take the extra blankets, she flinched.

“Be calm. I mean you no harm. I’m just going to put these blankets down by the fire so I have a place to sleep tonight.”

“You won’t be sleeping in your bed?”

“Nay. I think you’ve had enough excitement for one day.” He waited until she glanced at him and winked so she’d know he was joking.

She only looked slightly relieved and glanced away as quickly as she’d met his gaze. She was as skittish as a beaten horse.

He settled by the fire and frowned into the darkness when his back settled against the hard floor. His bed was built for someone of his size. She looked like a wee mouse in a ship.

There was enough room for both of them, but he’d not cause her distress. He’d give her time to adjust to her new home. And a husband. Small steps covered just as much ground—it just took longer.

“Thank you, Cameron.” Her voice barely moved the air in the room.

“For which part, exactly? Marrying you by accident, bringing you safely to the castle, or sharing my food with you at dinner?”

“Everything, actually. I had come so close, but if you hadn’t scared off the tracker it would have been all for naught. I would be on my way back to London to face my sentence.”

“Not to worry. I was looking for a way to get out of my work anyway.”

She laughed softly at his jest. The warm sound calmed him.

Maybe this would work after all. Lachlan hadn’t wanted to marry Kenna, but now they were happily in love with one another. Who was to say the same couldn’t happen for him and his new bride?

Nay, not the love part; he didn’t want that. But having someone to share his life with would be nice. As would the physical aspects. His wife was bonny, and he hoped he could convince her someday soon they’d be good together in that way.

“You haven’t asked me why I killed him,” she said, changing the course of his thoughts.

“I saw the scar on your cheek, and I’m certain there are more. I have no doubt you had your reasons. I can’t imagine you would have willingly given up a soft life as a duchess for one on the run, married to a man you don’t even know, without cause. When you want to tell me, you will, and I’ll listen.” And hopefully remain calm for the telling.

“You’re not worried to sleep in a room with a woman who killed her first husband?”