Page 164 of Bride of Fire
He had to smile at that. “After breakfast then, I suppose.”
But he knew he couldn’t delay the journey home forever.
“You’re not thinking of leavingtoday,are you?” Her voice seemed artificially bright. “I mean, look at the clouds. There’s sure to be a downpour. If you go now, your clan and your livestock will be forced to slog through the mire and sleep in the mud.”
He glanced out the shutters. To be honest, the clouds looked no more threatening than on most days in the Highlands.
But the temptation in the bed beside him—Jenefer’s wide emerald eyes, her rosy lips, her lush tresses, the gentle curve of her bare shoulder—proved too great to resist. He supposed one more day couldn’t do any harm.
“Perhaps on the morrow then,” he said, content to blame his delay on the weather.
“Aye, tomorrow,” she said. “Or the next day. Though it does seem like winter has set in.”
“Does it?”
“Oh aye.” She shook her head. “When I think of you stranded in the mountains in the ice and snow with Miles…”
“Perhaps weshouldstay a while longer.” He pensively scratched his jaw. “For Miles’ sake.”
“Aye!” she cried. Then she tempered her enthusiasm with a shrug. “I mean, you’d certainly be welcome to stay here.”
“Just until the weather clears.”
“Of course. Once the weather clears, you’ll want to be on your way. I’m sure you’re eager to return.”
But that was just it. Hewasn’teager to return. He’d come to Creagor with all intentions of staying. That hadn’t changed. If anything, he had more of a desire to stay than ever.
He was even fairly certain shewantedhim to stay. Why else would she be swiving him in every corner of the keep? And why would she be making the flimsiest of excuses to keep him at Creagor?
If she wanted him, why had she not asked him to marry her? After all, Morgan was free to wed, now that Alicia was gone.
The question was, did Jenefer want him for a husband? Did she envision him as her loyal, lifelong companion? Or was he only a pleasant diversion?
She must realize he couldn’t go on being her lover. He was too proud for that. He wouldn’t disgrace her by keeping her as his mistress. They’d taken enough liberties in that quarter as it was.
For the sake of honor, they had to become husband and wife.
And it had to be her idea.
Otherwise, no one would ever believe he was marrying her for love. They’d assume he was marrying her to reclaim Creagor.
Nay, as inconvenient as it was, it had to be Jenefer who proposed marriage.
Jenefer sighed in equal parts bliss and frustration.
How much more seduction would it take before the stubborn Highlander proposed marriage?
She let her gaze roam over the man in the bed beside her, the bed clearly meant for two.
Loki’s rod, Morgan was devilishly handsome. Incredibly gifted. Breathtaking and mouthwatering. But more than that, he was noble and good and strong and fair. Any woman would be lucky to have such a man in her bed.
To have him as her husband…
Damn it, she was getting desperate.
She was running out of excuses to keep him at Creagor.
Every night, she found herself praying for bad weather.
