Page 19 of Claimed By the Heartless Highlander
Ailis followed him, her stomach still fluttering with nerves and an edge of uncertainty. It was only when they arrived at his study and the heavy door clicked shut behind her that she found the words to speak.
“Ye cannae give me the Lady’s chambers.”
One dark eyebrow rose over a laconic expression. “And why nae?”
Ailis glared at him. “Why nae? Start with the fact that apparently, yer servants didnae even ken ye were bringin’ a fiancée. What do ye think they think of me, appearin’ and takin’ over the Lady’s chambers? And then there’s the fact that we dinnae even ken that we’ll be wed. I might even leave within the month, and that will look far worse.”
* * *
Duncan stared at Ailis in bemusement. A part of him was shocked at her vehemence. Another part of him was surprised she still had any thought that he might not wed her. Hadn’t he shown his determination to claim her hand thus far?
And then there was a part of him that was a little bit mortified. Because she was right. He’d told his council that he was taking a short trip to look for a wife, but he’d never given them any idea that his journey had been successful.
He couldn’t even be sure he’d told Jack about his plans, and he knew that he was the only one who’d seen the letters aside from the rider who’d delivered them. He was certainly the only one who’d read them.
And Duncan knew for a fact that he’dnottold any of the servants of his intentions, for fear that Lily might hear and ask him awkward questions. Nor had he sent word back from Castle Clyde.
In part, that was because he’d been acting as if everyone in his clan knew about his “letter courtship.” In another part, it was simply because he’d forgotten that they would need some warning to properly welcome Ailis. Without that warning, there would be rumors about her flying through the servants’ quarters, and not all of them would be flattering.
He’d lived away from others for so long that he’d forgotten some of the general courtesies, it seemed. He’d have to make it up to her.
She was still waiting for an answer.
He sighed. “Ye’re right that I should have given the servants more warnin’. I’ll make an announcement tomorrow at breakfast. I hope that suits ye.”
After a long moment, she nodded, and he turned to his desk. “As for whether or nae we’ll be wed, I’d like to read somethin’ to ye.”
He pulled out a set of folded parchment and saw in her eyes that she recognized it. He pulled a page free, scanned it, and cleared his throat. “Me Laird, ye cannae imagine how I long for yer touch. How I desire ye and dream about the day ye’ll take me in yer arms, carry me to yer bed and make me?—”
“Ye brute!” She went to snatch the letters out of his hand, and he lifted them out of reach, amused by the furious blush on her delicate cheeks. “Ye were supposed to bedead! Or at least nae readin’ those!”
She folded her arms, and he swallowed hard, as it drew his attention to the swell of her breasts, and the way they moved with her ragged breaths.
“And what has it to do with which rooms I’m sleepin’ in?”
“Ye’re nae just me guest, ye’re me betrothed. Even if, for some reason, we willnae wed, for now, ye should have every courtesy. As ye’re the closest thing to a Lady the clan has, ‘tis only proper that ye have the Lady’s chambers. And nay one will think twice about it, once the announcement is made and I tell them that we arrived too late for me to make it tonight.”
He stepped closer. “In fact, if I made that announcement and ye werenae housed in the Lady’s chambers, there would be far more questions.” He offered her a crooked half-smile. “And then, of course, there’s the most important reason for ye to take them.”
“And what’s that?”
He leaned close to whisper in her ear. “They’re right next to mine, naturally.”
Ailis let out a muffled sound and jerked back. Her face was a study in conflicting emotions. “Ye… what are ye about? Ye keep goin’ hot and cold, teasin’ me one minute and clammin’ up the next…”
He had no good answer for her, or even for himself, and was grateful when the study door opened abruptly and Jack strode in.
“Duncan, I heard ye were back, and there were rumors…”
Jack stopped dead, staring at Ailis. Ailis stared back.
Duncan sighed. “Ailis, this is me braither, Jack Wallace. Jack, this is Ailis Anderson, the eldest daughter of Laird Clyde, who I’ve recently asked for her hand in marriage.”
He thought his brother might collapse with the shock. He turned to Ailis, feigning a nonchalance he didn’t feel. “I ken ye have concerns, but for now, it would be best if ye retire to yer rooms to rest and refresh yerself. If ye have any further questions, ye can ask me after breakfast tomorrow mornin’.”
Ailis’s gaze flicked between him and Jack. She seemed to be struggling with herself. Then she jutted her chin, her eyes sparkling as she stepped up as close to him as their differing heights would allow.
“Very well, Me Laird. However, dinnae think this discussion is over, for I’ll see to it that we finish it later.” She arched a delicate eyebrow in a distinctly challenging manner that sent his blood rushing below his belt. “One way or another.”
