Page 71 of The Mad Highlander
Iris huffed. “I hope he does.”
“Ye could still leave on a horse. Ye and yer brother. I am nae a man who is easily beaten, and once Laird McCabe has been taken care of, yer brother will become Laird of Castle McCabe. I’ll make sure of it. Ye only have to ride south for a few days and then come back.”
“Then what difference does it make to stay in the castle? If ye win, we willnae need to ride off.”
“Och, I’m only tryin’ to protect ye, lass. Why won’t ye let me help ye.”
“I have too much honor.”
Cayden burst out laughing.
Iris brought her head from his chest as it rose and fell quickly and looked him in the eye again, her brows furrowing so much that they almost hurt.
“Why are ye laughin’ at me?” she demanded.
Cayden ran the back of his fingers down her cheek. “Och, I’m nae laughin’ at ye, I’m laughin’ with ye.”
“Well, ye dinnae see me laughin’, do ye?”
“Nay, that’s the truth. It was just… it wasnae funny to hear ye say that but endearin’. Och, I’m nae explainin’ it very well. Ye dinnae often hear women describe themselves as honorable, but ye certainly fit the description. Ye are an honorable woman, and hearin’ ye say it made me so happy. I’m glad to have met ye.”
“I don’t mind so much that ye laughed after hearin’ that,” Iris admitted. She placed her head back on the Laird’s chest and closed her eyes.
What will the future bring, and am I really willin’ to die here in this castle?
Tremors and shivers ran through Iris’ body as she thought about what might come to pass. Cayden wrapped his free hand around her arm and held her close, enveloping her in his warmth.
“I’ve started to think more about the future,” Iris admitted. “If we make it through this.”
“Aye?” the Laird asked.
Iris was not sure why, but she became more afraid of admitting her feelings to him than anything else that was happening. She wanted to tell him that she could picture a long, bright futurewith him, but a lump rose in her throat, and she became terrified to vocalize it in case it jinxed them.
“Will Ashton really become laird?” was all she could manage.
“Aye, he will. He is the next in line, and I am sure he will make a fine laird. From what I ken of him, so far, he is a tough lad, and being taken and stuffed in a dungeon will have hardened him. I will strive to make him laird if ye think he is up to it. I value yer opinion on the matter.”
“He is still young, but I am sure he will do fine. He cannae do any worse than Tristan.”
“That means ye will be able to return to the castle if ye wish.”
“Aye,” Iris replied. Her mind was filled with visions of going between the two castles once she had made a life with Cayden. She supposed her cousin was not so different from her uncle.
The apple doesnae fall far from the tree!
“That also means ye are nae bound to me,” Cayden added. “This was all part of Laird McCabe’s plan. I am loathe to admit it, but he tricked me into this. When yer brother becomes the Laird, ye will be free to return to the castle with him.”
Iris suddenly sat up on Cayden’s lap, and she could feel the fire in her eyes.
Of all the things ye have said since I got here, that has to be the stupidest, ye donner!
“Ye saved me brother from Murdoch Castle.”
“Aye, but I would have done that anyway if I had kenned what yer cousin was up to,” Cayden admitted.
“So, what are ye saying?” Iris demanded. She pulled her hands from Cayden and stood up, so she could breathe. “Ye dinnae want to handfast me?”
Cayden stood up to face her. “I’m only sayin’ that ye have options.”
