Page 16 of Highland Vows of Betrayal

“And ye have quite a glower on yer face.” She nodded her head at him. When Ian turned away, laughing harder, both Noah and Lady Eloise watched to see what you happen next. “Dae ye surmise he laughs at our expense?”

“Aye, it would seem so. Perhaps he just laughs at yer boldness.” He eyed her again. “I thought ye would be an obedient wife, me lady. That is what my council told me of ye.”

She slowly folded her arms and mirrored his stance. He supposed he had gotten under her skin already, for a muscle in her jaw ticked steadily.

“I dinnae take pleasure in being told what tae do, my laird,” she warned him. It was the first time she addressed him by his title.

“Hurrah! A crumb of respect, even if it is one of denial. I wondered when ye planned tae curtsy?” When Ian started waving crazily across the room, it caught Noah’s attention but not for long.

I will speak tae my future wife however I see fit.

“Ye wish me tae curtsy?” Lady Eloise offered.

“Aye, ‘tis customary.”

“As is politeness, which I have found lacking here today,” she returned archly. Her words were so well-judged that he had no ready retort. He merely felt a red mist descend as he glared at her.

This is nae what was supposed tae happen.

He did not expect to desire her or picture himself making love to this beauty, but neither had he expected her to speak with such spirit.

“Very well, if one of us must take the first step in courtesy, I am happy to play the bigger part,” she said tartly, offering a curtsy. He bit his lip to keep a straight face; she sorely tempted him. In return, he bowed to her. “Was that a bow or a head bob?”

“I dinnae have tae bow tae ye, me lady, nae as laird. I thought ye’d be happy I tae receive any politeness at all.”

“This is getting better and better,” Ian remarked from across the room. Noah glowered at his brother, just as Lady Eloise did. Ian abruptly stopped laughing and shrugged his shoulders. “I kent it wouldnae be a peaceful meeting, brother, but even I didnae think it would be as bad as this.”

“Perhaps we just got off on the wrong foot and should try again.” Lady Eloise cleared her throat and offered a smile to Noah, who was past being conned by feigned courtesy.

Ye flirted with Ian; nothing can undo that!

“It is certainly interesting to meet ye, my laird,” she continued diplomatically, forcing a smile. Noah didn’t answer for a minute, merely tilted his head to the side, watching as desire raged within him. Perhaps by pleasuring her, he would see a genuine smile that would constantly squelch her wish to argue. He was certain he could make her moan and say much more interesting things. “Will ye nae say anything at all?” she asked, planting her hands on her hips.

“I wonder what is best tae say,” he explained. “This is hardly the meeting I expected with my future spouse.”

“Nor ‘tis what I was expected with mine. I was greeted with a curse rather than pretty words. I thought ye might at least utter a welcome as yer brother did just now.”

“I didnae expect to find my bride-to-be charming me own brother,” he said tartly.

“Noah…” Ian warned him. When Noah glared at him as well, even Ian gave up. “I simply helped her up after she fell.”

“She fell?” Noah frowned as he looked at the lady once more.

“Thank ye, sir, for adding tae my embarrassment,” she murmured, casting a glance to the ceiling as if to plead for help from God himself.

There was something about the idea of Lady Eloise falling into a tumble of skirts that Noah found amusing. Maybe he should have been the one to greet her after all; then, he could have seen her in a rumpled mess of her own skirts.

“Well, this is an awkward enough meeting tae begin a marriage,” she said, leveling her gaze at Noah.

“Ah, I see ye like tae speak plainly, me lady,” he observed, watching as she stepped back to increase the distance between them.

Ah, come closer, dinnae step away.

The fact that his body wanted her was another reason for anger. How was he supposed to keep his wife at arm’s length if he desired her this much after just a short meeting? If they were ever to spend a whole evening bickering in this manner, desire would surely engulf him!

“Perhaps we should part ways and call our first meeting an unfortunate blunder?” she suggested, challenging him with an arched brow.

“Lady Eloise suggested a tour of the castle, Noah. Perhaps ye could show her tae her chamber?” Ian murmured.