Page 20 of A Virgin for the Highland Beast
Violet flashed her a smile as if to reassure her. “If me braither offers his protection, ye will be safe. He may seem intimidating, but he is gentle at heart.”
Emma shared a final glance with her sisters before turning back to look at Hunter. “I believe it’s still rainin’.”
“Then perhaps I can show ye the castle to help ye get familiar wit’ it?” he said, finding the words hard to get out.
“Very well,” Emma relented as she carefully pushed her plate away from her and stood up.
“The rest of us will be in the library,” Katie announced as Emma waited for Hunter to rise and move towards the side doors.
Outside, the rain had ceased, but the night remained dark and ominous. Hunter stepped outside, welcoming the fresh, cool air on his face, which was a refreshing relief from the stifling atmosphere inside.
Emma hesitated at the threshold and peered out into the night.
“It’s just the terrace. Ye willnae get wet or dirty,” Hunter reassured her.
Emma, her gaze fixed on the darkened garden ahead, finally broke the silence. “If ye’re expectin’ an answer, I still dinnae have one.”
Her voice was calm yet carried a firmness that reflected the conflict within her. Underneath the night sky, her honesty seemed to echo, adding weight to her words.
Hunter locked his gaze on the dark horizon and let out a heavy sigh. “I need ye to understand, Emma. I didnae kill yer braither.”
His voice was low, and he hoped he could convey the grave undercurrent in his words. He paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing, “But I could help ye find the real killer.”
From the corner of his eye, he noticed Emma’s eyes widen like saucers.
“Ye mean, if I marry ye?”
Hunter turned to meet her gaze, his eyes reflecting the sincerity in his voice. “Marriage or nay, I’d like to help ye.”
“And why would ye do that?” she countered.
“’Tis the right thing to do, and maybe if I get a chance to prove to ye that I’m nae the man ye think I am, ye’ll consider me proposal,” he answered as he watched her face closely.
She chewed her lower lip as she mulled over his words, and he found the gesture fascinating.
“But a marriage of convenience could still benefit both of us,” he added quickly before she could turn him down.
He looked at her, trying to gauge her reaction as the silence hung heavy in the air between them.
8
“This is just about yer Lairdship, is it nae?” Emma asked as she stared at him in disbelief. “Ye’re only askin’ this of me so that ye can retain the power ye have over yer clan.”
“It’s more than that,” Hunter stated as he inched closer to her. “Tell me, what would ye do if ye had everythin’ stolen from ye?”
“I’ve had everything taken from me,” Emma retorted, anger flashing in her eyes. “So, I ken exactly what it feels like to be left wit’ nothin’. And now ye’re askin’ me to give up everythin’ I want so that ye can keep everythin’ ye have. How is that fair?”
“Life isnae fair. Anyone who tells ye differently is lyin’ to ye. At least by marryin’ me, ye’ll be able to protect what ye have left,” Hunter said.
Emma could feel the heat from his body rolling off him. The scent of musk mingled with the fresh breeze of rain, and it intoxicated her. Her head felt woozy, and she knew if she stayed as close to him as she was, she’d never be able to think straight.
Stepping away from him, she found her heart pounding fiercely in her chest. The distance, no matter how small it was, gave her clarity enough to put her thoughts in order, but she didn’t dare turn to look at him.
“Tell me something, Laird MacRoss,” Emma started, choosing her words carefully. “Why did ye leave yer clan and yer family? What was so important that kept ye away for so many years?”
From the corner of her eye, Emma noticed Hunter flinch, as if her words struck him harder than a broadsword. The lightning flashed across the dark skies, followed by the clap of thunder that amplified her words.
“This was a mistake,” Hunter said in a low voice.
