Page 15 of A Virgin for the Highland Beast
“It makes nay difference to me,” he said, turning to look at her. “Whichever of ye chooses to wed, the sooner we can sort this out, the better for everyone involved. Would ye nae agree?” His tone was almost pleading, as if he wanted her to understand his predicament.
“Deciding who to marry isnae somethin’ we can just determine on a moment’s notice,” Emma said, her voice steady as she met his gaze.
“I dinnae see why nae,” Hunter responded, crossing his arms over his chest as he sat on the edge of his desk.
“A woman’s heart doesnae work that way. We need time to figure out what we want to do,” Emma tried to explain, her eyes pleading.
She couldn’t help but wish there was some other way to gain his favor, but he was stubborn and persistent. She knew she’d have to make the choice on the spot and without any further delay.
“That seems to put us at an impasse, then,” he said, leaning against his desk. “I need an answer, and ye need a roof over yer head, nae to mention the protection that ye would need from me clan.”
“We need time,” Emma emphasized. “I cannae give ye an answer.”
“I told ye, me offer is good until I step back into that room. Now it seems ye’re the one toyin’ wit’ me. I have nay time for games, and I’m guessin’ that the people ye’re runnin’ from are still lookin’. I doubt they will give ye up so easily.”
Emma’s heart fluttered as Hunter’s eyes bored into hers. There was a hint of longing and honesty in the way he said,I doubt they will give ye up so easily.
“If marriage is what ye’re offerin’, we need a few weeks to decide,” Emma explained. “We dinnae even ken if we’ll even like it here. Or if ye’ll like any of us. What’s to stop ye from weddin’ one of us and findin’ we’re nae to yer likin’? Ye’ll toss us out without a second thought. And we’ll end up worse off than we are now.”
“I could very well say the same about ye,” Hunter said, folding his arms over his chest. “Ye could wed me, and whatever or whoever ye’re runnin’ from could be stronger than me clan, wipe us all out, and then what would happen to me people? As far as I ken, this could be a con ye and yer sisters are playin’ to gain more territory for yer people.”
Emma let out a heavy sigh as her mouth went dry. Hunter’s words rang through her, and she couldn’t deny the fact that her cousin had done just that the moment her father had passed.
“There’s nothin’ I can say that will convince ye that that isnae our intention,” Emma managed to get out.
“Then tell me, what exactly are ye runnin’ from? And dinnae lie to me,” Hunter said, his tone serious.
Emma was silent for a moment, debating whether to tell him. She knew it would be foolish to give her family history to a man who clearly was only protecting what was his.
Yet, if she spilled everything, her chances of survival would diminish greatly. Deciding that the bare minimum would suffice, she finally said, “Our cousin, Geoffrey, was asking for the same thing. He wanted one of us to marry him to ensure his reign.”
“And this Geoffrey wasnae to yer likin’? So, ye’re a spoiled child, is that what I’m hearin’?” Hunter asked, his tone clipped and judgmental.
Anger burned under Emma’s skin, emboldening her. “Ye have nay idea what we went through under his thumb.”
“Did he take away yer pony? Is that it? Or, let me guess, an arranged marriage to him or another of his cronies? I told ye, Miss Knox, I dinnae like games, and ye’re wastin’ me time,” Hunter said, rising quickly as if he’d said all he was going to say.
“How dare ye stand there and be so smug? Our cousin is a ruthless man. He would throw us into the cellar out of spite. He chopped Isobel’s hair because she didnae wear it to his likin’. There’s a reason Nora is the healer. She patched us up more times than I can count on one hand. So, forgive us if we found an opportunity to slip out from under his rule and flee. Ye have nay idea how that man terrorized us, every wakin’ moment. And we refuse to live like that. So, if ye’re goin’ to lord yer position over us and treat us the same way, we’ll leave this very moment without a second thought.”
Hunter flinched. The color drained from his face, and for a brief moment, Emma swore she could see worry in his eyes. “I may have misjudged yer situation.”
“Now ye can see why we need time to sort this out,” Emma said, her voice softening just a bit. She tried to hold back the tears from pooling in her eyes as she turned towards the fire.
“Aye,” he answered. “And just how much time would ye need if I were so inclined to accept yer request?”
“Three days,” Emma answered sharply. “A week, at most.”
“And after a week? What, then?”
“If after a week of deliberation, me sisters and I decide nae to wed, we will thank ye for yer hospitality and leave,” Emma explained, her tone unequivocal.
Hunter’s expression turned into a dark smirk. “So, ye’re just usin’ me for a warm place to stay for the week?”
Emma met his gaze, her reply firm. “I promise ye, Laird MacRoss, we will consider everythin’ carefully durin’ that time and give ye a fair assessment.”
Hunter gave a dark chuckle. “I offered ye a permanent solution, Emma. Ye came to me for help, and now, by the looks of it, ye’re turning me down.” He sighed. “I suppose I cannae blame ye for nae wantin’ to marry a monster.”
Emma’s voice hardened. “Maybe if ye hadnae killed me braither, we would be more open to yer offer.”
