Page 54 of Captured by a Laird
He was peppering her face with kisses, but she managed to ask, “Where are ye going?”
“It doesn’t matter,” he said into her hair.
“How long will ye be gone?”
“Not long.” He groaned as he pressed his erection against her. “Too long. I can’t wait. I want ye so much.”
With an effort, she pushed him off her and sat up.
“You’re my husband,” she said. “What ye do affects me and my daughters.”
“I told ye I will keep ye safe,” he said, gripping her arm. “That’s all ye need to know.”
“But Iwantto know more,” she said. “I’ve a right to know what dangers lie ahead.” Dangers he was bringing down on their heads.
“I’d never throw ye to the wolves like your conniving relations.” He thumped his chest. “I protect what is mine.”
“Ye think I belong to ye?” she said, getting angry now. “I’m not some horse ye own.”
“I don’t treat ye like a damned horse, though perhaps I should, as my horse has learned to do as I tell it,” he said. “’Tis time you accepted that you’re my wife and that ye have a duty—in God’s own eyes—to share your body with me gladly and bear my children.”
“Ach, I don’t recall the priests telling me the part about doing itgladly.”
“Must ye be so damned stubborn, lass?” he said, raising his hands as if beseeching the heavens. “Ye know ye want me.”
“You’re a vain man, besides being a vile one,” she said, tossing back the covers. Of course, it was true that she desired him, but he should not have said it like that.
“I didn’t say ye could leave,” he shouted after she slid out of his reach and out of the bed.
“I’m not a child,” she said as she threw her clothes on willy-nilly, “and I won’t be treated like one.”
Before she knew it, he was out of bed and had her backed up against the cold stone wall. He was the Beast of Wedderburn again, towering over her with rage glittering in his eyes. She felt her courage seeping out of her.
“Believe me, I know you’re a woman.” A vein in his neck pulsed. “Is there another man? Is that the reason?”
She shook her head. How could he think that was possible? Blackadder would have killed her, and no man would dare approach her now and risk Wedderburn’s wrath.
“Like it or no,” he said in a tone as cold and hard as a shard of ice, “when I return, ye shall be a dutiful wife, warm my bed, and give me heirs.”
His words formed a black cloud over her hope for a different kind of marriage, a different kind of life. Her shoulders slumped under the weight of her disappointment.
Without sparing her a glance, David pulled on his clothes and started to leave. Then he paused and turned back to her.
“What is it ye want from me, Alison?” he asked in a voice that had gone quiet.
Without waiting for an answer, he turned and went out the door.
More. I want more from you, David Hume.
CHAPTER 22
Alison went upstairs to find David, hoping to ease the tension between them before his departure. Though she was not ready to give up her hope of being treated as more than a bed partner and brood mare, it seemed unwise to quarrel with a man she would be tied to for decades.
Her hand was on the latch of their bedchamber door when she heard an angry voice coming from inside. It sounded like Robbie. She put her ear to the door without a shred of guilt about eavesdropping. If David would not share what he was doing, how else was she to find out?
“I’m not man enough to go raiding with ye, but ye expect me to dothis?”
“I do.” David’s voice was calm.
