Page 22 of Highland Vows of Betrayal

“Nae yet.”

Never.

Scarlett stood tall, aware of his eyes roving up and down her dress.

“Ye werenae supposed tae see it.”

“What did ye say?”

“Ye werenae supposed tae see what happened.” He planted his fists on his hips. “I am nae so great a fool tae think a bride would welcome the idea of a mistress flaunted before her. Let us accept something though, Lady Eloise. Our marriage will be an arranged thing. What must be sated will be sated elsewhere.”

Scarlett glared at him through slitted eyes. She’d delivered such stares to men in the tavern more than a few times. They had sent many of them scurrying back to their tankards in fright. Laird Chattan merely raised an eyebrow at that look, as if he were completely unaffected.

Must Eloise really marry such a man?

“I’m astonished ye think this way.”

I must protect her from marrying a man like him.

“Ye have made yerself clear. Ye think so little of yer bride and the arrangement that ye are happy tae keep yer mistresses and see them after we wed.”

Lord Chattan said nothing but pinched the bridge of his nose uncomfortably.

“Ye have humiliated me, put me in my place, and come tae see me in my own chamber tae reveal how little ye think of me.” As she spoke, he lowered his hand from his face. “If ye are capable of any kindness at all in that heart of yers, ye will do me the goodness of leaving my chamber now. At least let me be humiliated in peace.”

With those final words, she turned away. Holding one hand to the gown, she attempted to reach for the screen and lift it again, but it was impossibly heavy for her to do so with one hand. She was forced to let it drop down with a heavy thud, still with her back to the laird.

I cannae look at that handsome face now. Why does a cruel heart have such a fair face?

“Let me.” His voice had retaken on that softened tone. He reached for the screen and lifted it easily as if it weighed nothing, and set it in place. She avoided looking him in the eye, preferring to stare at the screen as he righted it.

She thought he was about to leave when he came to her side and paused. “Ye need help with the gown,” he told her.

“Nae, I need help training an elephant act,” she countered sarcastically. “What dae ye think I need?”

“Ye are sardonic, me lady.”

“What was your first clue, my laird?”

“That ye are as insufferable as I am,” he shot back as he walked around to stand at her back. “I willnae have my bride address me as ‘my laird’ forever. Ye can call me by my name.”

It seemed wrong to call Eloise’s future husband by his name, and it didn’t help that Scarlett felt out of place in every other way. She didn’t belong in the gown that kept falling, but in one of her cheaply-made arisaids instead. Neither did she belong in this fine chamber. She looked askance, startled by the idea.

“My name is Noah.”

She didn’t respond but stared at the screen, uncertain what to say.

“At least let me do one good thing before I go. Let me help ye with the laces.” He moved closer to stand beside her. Scurrying away, Scarlett faced him once again.

“Ye think I will let ye touch me?”

“I am offering tae touch the gown,” he said with a small quirky smile, though it faded quickly. “Ye have just accused me of nae having a good heart. I am trying tae do something tae prove I am nae a demon walking this earth. At least give me that chance.”

Scarlett tilted her head, watching him with doubtful eyes. It was as if he’d morphed before her. He was still the same man and the same face. The same tension was in his body, and the set of his jaw suggested he held himself back from saying more. But there was something different now, as if a fair wind had passed through and lightened his mood considerably.

“Let me help.” He raised his hand, gesturing to the gown.

Scarlett bit her lip, seriously wanting to refuse his offer and eject him from the room, though she knew she had little practical choice.