Page 10 of Saved By the Cruel Highlander
“What?” he all but yelled.
Holly nodded. “‘Tis nay secret. I heard it in a tavern.” She waved a small hand dismissively. “The point is, ye need a wife, and I need a husband.”
Elias winced. It was as if someone just dumped a bucketful of cold loch water over his head.
She wants me to wed her?
“Or rather,” Holly continued, a frown marring her delicate features, “I’m lookin’ to escape me engagement.”
Elias had thought he couldn’t be surprised anymore, but he’d been wrong.
He leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees as he studied her. “So, ye want me to marry ye so that ye can escape a man ye’re betrothed to?”
She nodded and gave him a smile so bright that it was nearly blinding. “Aye! Ye ken what I want.”
“Why dinnae ye just break off the engagement yerself? Or is it an arranged union and yer parents willnae let ye?” Elias scowled. “I willnae whisk ye away just because ye dinnae approve of yer parents’ wishes for ye?—”
“Nay, Me Laird, ‘tis nothin’ like that,” Holly interrupted.
“Then what is it?” he demanded.
He watched, fascinated, as her cheeks, and even the tip of her nose, turned pink.
“I dinnae approve of him, ‘tis true, but he only wants to wed me for me coin. Ye, Me Laird, are wealthier than me, which means ye wouldnae be after me coin.”
Elias considered her words for a minute before leaning back in his seat and crossing one leg over the other knee.
“‘Tis true, I have nay need of yer money,” he allowed slowly. “But why would I wed ye? What do ye have to offer?”
Elias almost smirked as he watched the emotions play across her face. First, there was surprise. He guessed she hadn’t expected him to ask her that question. Concern came next, as if she was considering her options. Then, finally, resolution and determination.
He was surprised to realize how anxious he was to hear her answer. Miss Holly Tayor was unusual but in a good way. She seemed intelligent, if a bit daring and impulsive. But Elias found he liked that about her, too. She was bold and brave, evidenced by how she showed up at McAllister Castle on her own. And she went after what she wanted—which, luckily, in this case, washim.
There’s me scar. Does it nae bother her?
“I dinnae care about yer scar.”
Elias felt his mouth drop open for a split second before he snapped it shut. He hadn’t realized he’d spoken those words outloud. Most women, and some men, went out of their way to avoid looking atandtalking about his scar. But not this lady.
“It doesnae repulse ye?” he couldn’t help asking.
She arched her eyebrows. “Did ye get it by beatin’ a child?”
Elias frowned and shook his head. “Nay. ‘Twas given to me by me braither.”
“Did ye deserve it?” Holly countered.
Elias nodded slowly. “Aye, I should have been prepared.”
“Then I dinnae find it repulsive,” she said, with a curt nod for emphasis.
A bark of laughter escaped him before he could stop himself. “‘Tis good to ken.”
She leaned forward, her hands folded primly in her lap. Elias stared at her, wondering what she’d do next, but then spotted movement behind her chair. Frowning, he leaned to the side, trying to see what caught his attention. A wicker bag of some kind sat there, which he assumed must belong to Holly.
He started to lean back when the bag twitched. His hand automatically went to his side, and he pulled out his dirk.
Something was inside that bag!
