Page 11 of Saved By the Cruel Highlander
It twitched again, then a furry gray face peeked out.
Elias growled in irritation, leaning back in his chair. He kept his hand on his dirk, though, just in case the animal decided to attack.
“I take it that little beastie belongs to ye?” he asked, pointing his dirk in the direction of the wicker bag.
Holly smiled as she reached around her chair, took the cat out of the bag, and lowered it onto her lap.
“Och, aye. This is Ollie,” she said with a proud smile. “He is me confidant and friend. We go almost everywhere together.”
Elias wasn’t happy about that. He wasn’t very fond of cats. They were good for catching mice in the stables or even in the castle, but he didn’t fathom keeping them as pets.
But as he looked at Holly’s happy expression, he decided it wouldn’t be too much of a compromise to let her keep her pet. In fact, he was surprised he was being so gracious.
What is the matter with me? She is bonnie, but I dinnae even ken her.
“We will wed in a month,” he announced.
Holly’s eyes widened. The hand that had been petting the cat stilled. “A month?”
Elias nodded. “Too soon for ye?”
She shook her head. “Nay, nae soon enough. Me weddin’ to me betrothed is in a sennight.”
Outwardly, Elias didn’t show any emotion. But inwardly, he was incredulous. The woman showed up and basically proposed to him, when she was to be wed in just seven days.
He narrowed his eyes at her. There was more to her need to marry him than her not liking her intended. He knew there was something she was keeping from him. A horrible thought occurred to him, and he leaned forward in his chair.
“Are ye with child?” he demanded.
He would not raise another man’s bastard, no matter how much he wanted Holly in his bed.
Her eyes grew so round that they looked ready to pop out of her head. A deep red blush spread across her face, making her freckles look darker. And bigger.
“Certainly nae!”
She denied it so vehemently that Elias believed her. He didn’t feel bad, nor did he apologize for the question. It was a valid one, considering the circumstances.
He nodded and rose to his feet. Holly’s head tilted back as her gaze tracked his movements.
“I will send word to yer betrothed and inform him that yer weddin’ has been canceled.”
He watched the wave of relief wash over her. She even relaxed enough to resume petting her cat. Its low purr of pleasure filled the chamber.
Elias walked over to where she sat. “As I mentioned, we will wed in one month.”
Holly nodded. “I will be ready, Me Laird.”
Elias paused for a moment, met her green eyes, then leaned down and whispered, “I expect ye to fulfill all of yer duties as Lady McAllister.”
Holly nodded, a perplexed frown pulling at the corners of her lips. “Of course.”
Elias leaned in even closer until his lips almost touched her ear. “I mean all of yer duties, includin’ those in the bedchamber.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Holly gaped at the Laird’s back as he strolled out of the chamber.
“What a rude, arrogant man,” she said to Ollie while lightly stroking the fur on his back.
