Page 7 of Secrets of a Kilted Seduction

CHAPTER TWO

Alana was unsure what she was more shocked about—learning she might be the illegitimate heir of Laird MacIver or Tadhg claiming to be her husband. She was dumbfounded by his blatant lie and could not fathom what he thought he was playing at. She groped for a response, but her mind was spinning. To add insult to injury, she suddenly felt Tadhg’s proprietorial hand on her waist. It brought her back to reality with a bang. Biting her lip, she decided not to make a scene in public but have it out with him in private at the first possible moment.

“Aye, ‘tis true,” she agreed with a nod. “We’ll be travelin’ together.”

“Well, that’s sorted out then,” Maddison piped up with a slightly tense smile, exchanging a meaningful look with Odhrán. “I’m sure the gentlemen of the delegation would like to rest here a while before they set off back to their lands. Shall we be seated? I’ll have tea and refreshment brought in.”

“That’s very kind of ye, me Lady,” Huston replied with a small smile. “I’m sure we’d all like that very much.” The other two delegates nodded in agreement and thanked her, apparently pleased about the prospect of a rest and a good feed.

“I have many things tae arrange before I go,” Alana said, dying to get Tadhg alone and ask him what he was up to. “But I’ll be leavin’ here first thing tomorrow morning. Now, if ye would nae mind excusin’ us.”

Without further explanation, she dropped the delegates a quick curtsey and then grabbed Tadhg’s arm, purposely digging her fingers into it and making him wince. “Come along, dear,” she said through clenched teeth, giving him a dark look. “We must go and prepare tae leave.” Trying not to appear too obvious about it, she pulled him towards the exit.

“Ye’re hurtin’ me arm,” he complained once they were out in the hallway.

“I dinnae care,” she retorted sharply, not letting go of her grip on him as she opened the nearest door, which she knew led to a small, seldom-used anteroom. Finally releasing it, she pushed him inside and shut the door, leaning her back against it as she faced him.

Her fists clenched, she half-whispered, half-screamed at him, “What the hell are ye playin’ at, lyin’ like that?!”

“Think about it,” he replied gruffly, his dark eyes stormy as he rubbed his sore arm.

“What?! What are ye talkin’ about?” She was beyond exasperated. “What possessed ye tae say we’re wed? Is this some sort of⁠—”

“Be quiet fer a minute, will ye, woman, and listen?” he told her brusquely, making a chopping motion with his hand. “D’ye want tae go alone tae the MacIvers’ place?”

Alana bristled at his tone, but she had no choice but to be truthful. “Nay, of course I dinnae wantae travel alone. I’m a woman. It would nae be safe. I need someone tae safeguard me.”

“So, d’ye nae think I’m capable then?” he demanded, his dark brows drawn.

“Of what?” She stared at him, mystified as to what he was driving at.

“Of keeping ye safe on the journey, obviously,” he answered cuttingly.

Alana did not want to admit it, but once again, she had to be honest. “Aye, I believe ye can keep me safe,” she answered warily.

“Then there’s naethin’ tae discuss. Odhrán willnae let ye travel alone, and since neither he nor Liam can be spared—and they’re the only two men I trust tae protect ye properly apart from mesel’—that leaves me.”

Alana tutted in annoyance, realizing he was right. “All right, I accept that. But I dinnae understand why ye had tae go and say we’re married. Why did ye have tae lie like that?”

He gave her a pointed look. “I can see ye havenae thought about this properly. Let me explain it tae ye. So, Laird MacIver’s been abducted, so they claim.”

“Aye,” she agreed.

“And the only way tae free him is tae make some alliance, is that right?”

“Aye, that’s what Huston said.” She nodded.

“Then, let me ask ye this,” Tadhg said, “how exactly d’ye think ye’ll be “helpin’” the clan and this Blaine MacIver? Before ye answer, remember, they believe ye tae be Laird John’s only child, and a daughter tae boot.”

Alana took in his words, her confused mind trying to figure out what he was getting at. Then it suddenly hit her like a shower of freezing rain, and a cold chill settled in her bones. She felt foolish for not having realized it before.

She stared at him her voice coming out in a shocked whisper as she finally croaked, “They’ll want me tae marry someone.”

“Exactly,” Tadhg agreed without warmth. “So, now d’ye understand why I lied and said we’re man and wife and why I insisted on accompanyin’ ye?”

Alana nodded miserably. “Aye, I understand.”

“Very well. So, we’ll be leaving first thing in the mornin’,” he told her. “Together.”