Page 40 of A Virgin for the Highland Beast
“Yer maither wants a big weddin’. She keeps addin’ stuff and wants to drag it out for a week. But I dinnae think it’s a good idea. If word spreads, it could reach me enemies.”
Hunter sighed heavily. “I’m afraid that might have already happened.”
She frowned. “But how?”
“There are men ridin’ towards the castle as we speak. Our weddin’ needs to take place within a few days. Tomorrow would be best,” Hunter revealed, his voice steady despite the looming threat.
Emma struggled to comprehend Hunter’s words. “I dinnae understand how this could have happened. Nay one kenned until today what was goin’ on.”
“Someone must have said somethin’ last night when we first made the announcement,” Hunter said.
“But tomorrow? It’s so soon.”
“That it is, but it’s the only way I can uphold me end of the arrangement. I swore to keep ye and yer sisters safe, and I will, but the only way to ensure ye’re nae taken from me is if we wed, and sooner rather than later.”
Emma swallowed hard as she gazed deep into Hunter’s eyes. He hoped that somehow she could see that he wanted to keep her safe.
“Ye want a weddin’ tomorrow?”
“Aye. They will be here soon. I’ve got men goin’ to scout the area, but I cannae take any risks. I’ll nae hand ye over.”
“I dinnae understand. One moment ye’re pushing me away, then we share a kiss, and now, it seems like ye’re tryin’ to protect me, but ye’re still keepin’ me at a distance.”
“Emma,” Hunter began. “I’m doin’ this for yer own good.”
“But I dinnae want to be a pawn in a game where only ye ken the rules, Hunter,” Emma retorted defiantly.
Hunter was taken aback by her words, “This isnae a game. Can ye nae see I’m merely tryin’ to uphold our deal? I believe the men ridin’ towards us bear the colors of yer clan. And if we’re nae married, I have nay other choice but to hand ye over to them.”
Emma fell silent, and Hunter saw the fear mounting in her eyes. He took her hands in his, trying to offer a reassuring grip.
“Emma,” he said quietly, “if the safety of ye and yer sisters means anything to ye, we have to marry soon. I know we left under undesirable circumstances, but I made an oath to protect ye, and that is a promise I can truly uphold only if we are married.”
He took a deep breath before continuing. “I understand this is sooner than the week we have talked about, but the danger is now knockin’ on our front door.”
Emma nodded slowly. “I understand. And if danger is as close as ye say it is, perhaps we shouldnae wait.”
“What do ye mean by that?” Hunter asked, surprise evident in his voice.
“How soon can ye get a priest?” Emma asked him, determination growing in her voice.
Hunter blinked, then nodded. “Within the hour, if that’s what ye desire.”
Emma held his gaze and stated, “Ye said it yerself, it’s nae what we want, but if a marriage is the only thing that will save me and me sisters from Laird Clyde, then the sooner we get married, the better.”
“Emma,” Hunter began, his voice steady. “We dinnae need to rush into this tonight. We can wait until tomorrow, or even the day after. Me family would prefer a proper weddin’, though, and I’m sorry ye’re bein’ thrust into this situation so abruptly.”
“We kenned this day would come, did we nae? When ye made the offer… I just thought I had more time.”
“I ken, so did I. But ye’ve got to make a decision. Tell me what ye want me to do, and I’ll do it.”
Emma let her shoulders drop. “Call for the priest. We’ll wed tomorrow afternoon. That should give yer maither enough time to get some things organized the way she wants it. But the truth of the matter is, this isnae about what we want, it’s about me safety and that of me sisters.”
“Are ye sure?”
“Aye,” Emma said as tears pooled in her eyes.
His heart ached to reach out and comfort her, to take her into his arms and assure her that he would take care of everything. He wanted to kiss her, to hold her close and promise that he would uphold his end of the deal. Instead, he swallowed down his feelings and turned away, leaving her standing alone.
