Page 94 of Bride of Ice
“I can manage it from here.” The last thing he needed during these sensitive negotiations was to lose control and embarrass himself like a randy oaf.
She looked flummoxed. “You won’t consider it?”
He gave her a baffled frown. She seemed overly offended. “I’d…rather ye didn’t.”
“You feel naught for me then?” she said stiffly, dropping her offered hand in her lap.
“What?” He creased his brow in confusion. Had the naughty lass not stolen a glimpse of his nether regions? Did she not realize it was his feelings for her that hadcausedhis agitated state?
She muttered, “Maybe, if you gave things time to grow…”
“Grow?” He was already full to bursting. “I hate to disappoint ye, but—”
“Then don’t,” she insisted. “Say you’ll agree.”
His mouth worked as he battled indecision. Till now, she’d treated him with civility and generosity. He didn’t wish to jeopardize their arrangement and ruin the truce between them. So rather than risking offending her further, he shook his head and handed her the dripping sponge.
“Och, fine,” he said in exasperation. “Do your worst. Just don’t blame me for what ensues. A man doesn’t always have reign o’er such things, ye know.”
When he glanced up, she was staring at the sponge as if in confusion. Her gaze flitted to the beast between his legs.
“Best hurry,” he said. “I don’t want the water to get cold.” If she thought he wasn’t “grown” now, he couldn’t imagine what she’d think when the chill shrunk him.
“Aye. Fine. If that’s what it takes…”
The look in her eyes was dazed yet determined as she studied his anatomy. She swallowed hard, as if she were planning an attack on a wild boar. When she rose up on her knees, lifting the sponge like a weapon, he realized she’d never done this before in her life.
“Hold on,” he said, catching her wrist before she could plunge it into the water. “Why do ye want to be doin’ this?”
“Like you said, ’twill bring peace to our clans.”
“Washin’ my cock will bring peace to our clans?” he blurted out.
“What? Nay! Who said anything about washing your bloody…?” she exclaimed, casting the sponge into the bath. “God’s eyes, Highlander! Will you take me as your wife or not?”
Chapter 25
Colban was rendered speechless. He tried to replay their conversation, unable to fathom where it had gone astray. But none of that mattered.
“My wife?” he finally choked out.
“Aye. What did you think I was offering?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
What mattered was Hallie was offering herself in marriage. The beautiful warrior lass wanted to wed him.Him.An orphan. A bastard. A Highlander with no coin or name.
And by her eyes, she was dead serious.
“Me?” he ventured. “Ye wish to wedme?”
“Aye, though I can see you’re not enthused about the idea.”
Not enthused? His heart was pounding like a swordsmith’s mallet. And beneath the water, he stood as proud as a claymore.
She continued. “You said you were willing to make a sacrifice for your clan. So am I. ’Twas never my lot to marry for love. But you and I, I think we have at least…an understanding. I think we could make a…a compatible marriage that would benefit both our clans.”
Colban couldn’t breathe. An understanding? Compatible? God’s blood! She was the most desirable woman he’d ever met. This was an offer beyond his wildest dreams. Never had he imagined himself worthy of her affections. Never had he expected she would settle for anything less than a laird.
