Page 9 of A Highland Bride Taken
“That will hardly be an issue,” she argued. “I can?—”
“Ye cannae do anything. Yer faither will hardly permit yer traipsing around the Highlands. Even this foolhardy trip to me clan will nay doubt cast a shadow over yer reputation, and I willnae have me clan thrust into a war because of yer honor.”
His words made her feel like a foolish child.
“Ye overestimate me faither’s concern for me,” she snapped. “I promised Layla I would take care of her boys, and I intend to do so. Ye willnae get rid of me so easily.”
He growled, and she realized her tone must have irritated him. But she did not care.
“Ye will return to yer family and forget the boys, lass,” he retorted. “Nothing short of ye becoming me wife can change things.”
Her eyes widened at his words, and she lowered her head to hide her blush.
She had never thought of marrying him, but it seemed a most sensible way to get what she wanted.
If she married him, she would be close to the boys and be able to take care of them. She would also be free of her mother’s matchmaking attempts. Still, could she really marry a man she had just met?
He stepped even closer, and her body tightened in anticipation of what she didn’t know. He was so close that she was having difficulty breathing or thinking proper thoughts.
He hooked his hand under her chin, and her eyes shot up to his in surprise.
When had he even moved?
From a distance, his gaze had been fiery, but with the scant space between them, she was rooted to the spot.
Just what was it about this man that made her feel so powerless?
“I dinnae have plans to marry, so ye can put those plans away.”
Mabel tried to draw air into her lungs, but it was difficult with his proximity and the heat that his touch sent through her.
She swallowed, needing to voice her thoughts on the matter.
Marriage to him would mean freedom from her mother’s matchmaking and would keep her closer to the boys, who were her primary concern.
“If marrying ye is the only way to be close to the boys, then I will marry ye,” she answered, stepping back from his grasp. “I dinnae want or need a husband, but for the boys’ sake, I will marry ye. I told ye, I will do anything for them.”
His eyes blazed impossibly hot as he watched her, and impatience tickled her skin, trying to figure out what was going on in his mind.
“Yer love for the bairns is evident, but I dinnae intend to marry, and I wouldnae consider a strange lassie with questionable habits,” he declared finally, shattering the hope that had bloomed in her heart.
4
Campbell wished he could deny his surprise at the lassie’s sudden burst of determination, but he would be a liar, and he detested dishonest men. He also couldn’t deny how her stubbornness stoked the fires of desire that had been burning in his belly since he had seen her throw her head back in laughter.
She had cared for the boys as well as anyone would have, and the image of her tucking them into bed had painted a picture of a future he could have if he chose to marry.
The lass was full of surprises, but he couldn’t ignore the fact that she had lied and risked his clan’s safety with her foolishness. He would not marry a lass with such questionable habits, no matter how beautiful she was.
He had his heirs now, after all, so there was no need to marry. His primary focus would be on his brother’s children. He would do everything in his power to provide for them and ensure that they grew into healthy, strong men. But a lass with suchquestionable habits would not do, not even if she had succeeded where others had failed.
Anger flooded him again as he realized that she had more time with his brother in adulthood than he had.
“Questionable habits?” she echoed.
Her eyes were wide and questioning, and the sheer sweetness of her expression cooled the heat in his blood.
How could such a slight woman have so much power?
