Page 58 of The Highlander's Accidental Wife
“Fine.” Helena’s jaw clenched. “Then either give me anorder, My Laird, or leave.”
Her words echoed through the room, and silence fell, one that stretched on and made her stomach flutter at the ominous shadow that seemed to fall over Damien like a dark cloak.
“Is this really about ye movin’?” Damien asked and took a step toward her. She lifted her chin, even as her knees began to quake and inexplicable heat pooled in her belly. “Or the wedding date? There is a verra good reasonnaeto put it off… unless you have the mind to persuade me otherwise.”
“You are impossible,” Helena said and stormed away. “This is not about that. It’s not about opinions or wills or anything like that.” She rounded on him and had to refrain from baring her teeth. “Let me make this very clear right now. If you wanted an obedient bride, you made the wrong choice.”
Damien had followed her silently, and as was his wont, he trapped her between the bed and the wall. Leaning on his arm, he looked her over and raised an eyebrow.
“Wh-What?”
“I dinnae think ye would befineif I were to marry another English lady, Hel.” His smile became cold. “Nae truly.”
“I—what does that have to do with anything?”
“Ye spoke of an obedient bride,” he said with a shrug. “I could get another, I suppose.”
Helena felt a vicious burst of anger in her chest, a hot rage that she had not felt since her stepmother threw out all her mother’s gowns. Or when her stepbrother had bought books, only to keep denying her access to them. The rage simmered behind her eyes, along with the image of Damien with some simpering, empty-headed blonde beaming up at him. She could’ve bitten Damien for doing this to her.
“Enough.” Helena started to push away, then squeaked as Damien gripped her arms and pinned her to the wall.
“Nay. See, I think it wouldnae sit well with ye. In fact, I think it is killin’ ye, just like—if I am bein’ honest with meself—the thought of ye with another man kills me.” He stared down at her, and she could not look away. “I would kill them for even lookin’ at ye, never mind what I’d do if they so much as touched ye.”
Helena’s chest rose and fell, while her legs pressed together. His grip tightened, and he pressed closer. Now she had to bite herlip against the whimper building in her throat, the plea to keep touching her, to keep saying such mad, dangerous things.
Staring up at Damien, now solemn and focused, holding her there, all she could do was keep still. Even as she silently wondered,What are you doing to me?
“You—your grasp is too firm, My Laird,” she said in a quiet voice.
“Damn,” he cursed and let her go, stepping away. “I apologize.” His chest rose and fell. “This wasnae how this was supposed to go.”
Helena hugged herself. “Ordering me to your chamber?”
Damien’s eye flashed with heat, and he muttered, “Cheeky thing.” Then, he cleared his throat and stood up straighter. “Nay. I want to clear the air between us—make peace.”
Helena’s arms dropped to her sides, and she cocked her head at him. “Pardon?”
“Aye, I like it better when we arenae at each other’s throats. I ken that part of the blame lies with me, but the other part also lies with ye.” He put a hand on his heart. “Again, I apologize. And to prove meself, every day until our wedding, I will court ye nice and proper, Lady Helena.”
Of all the things that Helena thought Damien would say, courtship had not even been in the realm of possibilities. For amoment, she stared at him, and then a laugh escaped her. His eye widened and softened, causing her laughter to die down and a hot flutter to go through her chest.
“You mean to court me, My Laird? For barely a fortnight?” She could not help but smile. “Will that be enough time?”
“More than enough to convince ye that we are a good match,” Damien said, with a glint in his eye. “Startin’ tomorrow. Meet me by the gate after breakfast, with yer books.”
“What? My books?”
“Aye. Dinnae be late, Hel—Milady.”
With that, Damien gave her a courteous bow that made her stomach flutter, then strode out of the room.
Helena sagged onto her bed and stared after him.
What on earth was that?
CHAPTER 24
As Helena walkedthrough the quiet castle, the only sound coming from the busy kitchens, she found herself thinking back to arriving at Banrose Castle for Emma and Grant’s wedding. Maybe it was the feeling of the strap of her bag over her shoulder or the soft light of a winter morning or the sense of change.
