Page 97 of Highland Renegade
She tried to look indignant, but it was hard with his already hard cock pressing against her belly. She was a little sore from the three additional times they’d made love after they got back, but that didn’t mean her body didn’t wanthim. Again.
With a sigh, she sat up. “We had better not keep your family waiting any longer.”
He made a disgruntled sound, but he sat up, too. They’d returned to the castle shortly before midnight and found everyone gathered in the Great Hall, but she had been near exhaustion and Ian had told everyone to go to bed and he’d explain in the morning. At the time, she hadn’t given any thought that it might seem odd that Ian had taken her to his bedchamber. Now that would be one more thing to explain. At least, to her sisters.
She looked at the sun streaming in his window. “It must be midmorning already.”
“Aye, ’tis.”
He went to his wardrobe for clean clothes and she realized the only gown she had was the dirty, torn one from last night. “I hope I do not run into a servant on the way to my room.”
He arched a look at her. “It willna matter if someone sees ye. We are going to get married.”
“I…do not think…”
He stilled. “After last night, ye still doona want to marry me?”
She hesitated. The idea of having Ian beside her every night—experiencing what she never thought she would—was tempting. She knew her feelings for him had deepened, but he had not said he loved her. She was old enough to know that, to men, lust and love were not the same. If she were even toconsidergiving up her freedom—Lord, why was she even thinking that she would?—it would have to be for love on both their parts. She shook her head.
“Why nae?” He looked almost wounded. “Whoever is attempting to harm ye—”
“Kill me, you mean. It is no use denying it.”
Ian grimaced, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “That will stop when I take ye to wife.”
“That will not solve the problem,” she said. “If this person stops, then we will never know who it is and I will always live in fear.”
He frowned. “What are ye proposing then?”
“I am not sure. I think we need to find out who is behind this.”
“I doona want…” He was interrupted by a knock on the door. “Who is there?”
“Carr.”
Ian went to the door to open it. “What do ye want?” he growled.
His brother raised a brow. “A messenger just arrived from Lord Mount Stuart. Parliament is going to un-proscribe us. The MacGregors will be a proud and lawful clan again.”
…
Less than thirty minutes later, Ian, his siblings and uncles, as well as Emily and her sisters, were all gathered in the library. The envoy that Lord Mount Stuart had sent was looking a little discombobulated, but that was probably because everyone was trying to talk to him at once—at least, everyone on Ian’s side of the room. Emily and her sisters were sitting still as garden statues close to the hearth.
“Ye are certain his lordship has the votes?” Carr asked
The envoy—Mr. Smythe—nodded. “King George himself mentioned to Lord North that allowing MacGregors to claim their name again might be justified.”
Ian hid a smile. The current prime minister would not go against the king’s request. More than likely it had been suggested by Lord Bute, who had been tutor to the king and still maintained a favorite position with him. Ian glanced at Emily, wondering how much of an influence she might have had. She had been seen in conversation with Lord Bute at the Campbell’s feast. And just recently—veryrecently he thought with an inward grin—she’d said “when” their name was restored. Not “if.”
“When is this going to happen?” Donovan asked.
“Sometime in December, according to the roster,” Mr. Smythe replied.
“Does that mean our lands will be restored?” Rory asked.
“And the castle?” Broderick added.
“You will be able to petition for your lands to be restored, although it will be a somewhat lengthy process,” the envoy answered, “but the deed to the castle will be the king’s decision to make.”
