Page 17 of Highland Vows of Betrayal

“Thank ye, Ian.” Noah looked at his brother, once more noting the playful smirk on his features. It was plain he was enjoying the calamitous meeting between the affianced pair.

“A tour, nae just a walk tae my chamber,” Lady Eloise interjected. “If this is tae be my new home, then I would like tae ken it better.”

“If?” Noah’s attention caught at her jab. He jerked his chin at her, watching as her amused smile faltered. “Ye forget ye have already agreed tae marriage, me lady.”

“My father agreed on my behalf, my laird, something I am sure ye ken. Besides, if ye intend tae continue with this especially warm welcome,” she said with irony, “I imagine ye will tire of my mannerisms quickly.”

Noah saw Ian creep quietly, trying to escape the tension.

“On the contrary, me lady,” Noah whispered, “if ye thought yer spirited manner would change my mind, ye were wrong.” Her head snapped toward him, and it was her turn to glare.

She wore an unusual scent, one of rose and something else, perhaps the honey of mead? He would have gladly lingered, taking in more of the scent, but she blushed and waited awkwardly. Noah cleared his throat, and turned to the door.

“Ye wanted a tour, me lady, so let us begin before we drive each other so mad we will have had enough for one day.” He walked out abruptly, not pausing to see if she followed and eventually, he heard her tottering behind him as she hastened to catch up.

“These are the front rooms. Keep up if ye wish tae see everything.” He gestured to the vast parlor they stood in with lofted ceilings, burnished rococo settees, and animal hides adorning the walls.

“Kindness drips from ye, does it nae?” she said, making him pause at the barb as he moved on. “Ye have a bold tongue indeed,” he observed. “Please, know that I willnae be insulted by my wife, if ye are entertaining that notion.”

“I am nae yer wife yet,” she reminded him as she looked about the room.

“Keep up,” he called and moved on. He hurried through the next few rooms, only making eye contact with her once or twice. He feared that if he kept looking her way, her bold taunts would draw him in all the more, urging him to discern the reason for his growing lust since she arrived.

When they reached the music room, he imagined sating his desire by tossing her on the rug near the harpsichord, taking her there. He wondered if she would moan his name with pleasure or curse him instead?

I would never force a woman; yet as my wife perhaps she would agree someday.

He turned his head away, not wanting to be drawn in.

“This way to the gardens.” He left the music room through a door overlooking the formal gardens. “This terrace is for the family.” He gestured to the yew trees glistening from the morning’s frost.

“The lawns are often used for the soldiers to train,” he explained.

She followed him along without saying much, which was rather disappointing.

“Nothing more tae say, me lady? I thought by now ye might grace me with more comments or at least throw an insult my way?” He observed that she smiled in sly amusement, which doubled his desire. He looked away, focusing elsewhere.

I shall have tae sate myself with Marie by the end of the day. ‘Tis the only way tae survive this odd desire!

“I am simply busy with my thoughts, my laird, with so many new and wondrous things everywhere I turn,” she explained as they walked along. When his arm accidentally brushed against hers, they both jumped as if lightning had struck. Tension hovered in the air until she spoke.

“I admit, when I heard ye were an outspoken man, I thought they may have been wrong about ye. Now I see the rumors were accurate.”

“Have ye heard such ill tidings that ye wonder how tae commit yerself tae marriage, me lady? Dae ye wonder how ye will complete yer vows?” He couldn’t blame her if she vacillated. He’d been callous and attempted to push her away with what he considered good reason. He hadn’t wanted to marry in the first place; the council had made that decision for him.

“Tae love and tae cherish, that’s the decree, aye? ‘Tis difficult indeed.”

“Aye, but I do believe the love part refers tae another part of marriage entirely.” His suggestion startled her. He reached out, thinking she would fall, but she pushed him away. “Aha, I see I have alarmed ye. Did ye nae wish me tae speak of things a husband and wife share in their bedchambers?”

Her large blue eyes narrowed on him; their pools, once large as oceans, were now more like small gems.

“Ye expect me tae make love tae a man who dislikes me so?” she demanded.

“Make love? I havenae heard it called that in a while.”

“That explains yer attitude then. Believe me, my laird, I have nae intention just now of satisfying such demands between a husband and wife.” Her denial startled him. Never had a lady refused him, not once. “And if ye ever dare force such a thing on me—”

“Never. Ye have naething to fear.”