Page 80 of Bride of the Sinful Laird
“And ye too.” Her eyes glazed with tears.
Holding her close, he dipped his head and joined his lips with hers in a soft kiss. “Ye mean everything tae me, lass, I cannae lose ye. I will arrange a guard fer ye at all times.”
She took his arm as they left the solar. “’Tis ye who should be guarded, Edmund. For that scoundrel MacDonald is prevailing upon me faither tae see ye killed.”
“I intend tae take care, lass.” There was a furious glint in his eye as he spoke that was somehow reassuring to Annora.
Woe betide any man foolish enough tae attempt injury tae Edmund Sinclair MacNeacail.
Once the heavy timber door to their chamber had closed behind them and Edmund had fastened the latch Annora at last allowed the tight knot in her shoulders to unravel.
Edmund rang for the servant and when the knock came, he took his longsword in his hand before he opened the door and ordered their supper to be brought.
“After we’ve dined, I shall go in search of Tormod, tae apprise him of what I’ve learned and tae arrange guards about the castle and additional sentries at the gates.” He pulled her onto his lap in front of the fire. “I’ll take nay chances wi’ that scoundrel Harris MacDonald at large.”
Annora leaned against his broad shoulder, allowing herself to mold to him, feeling his heartbeat against her chest.
“What shall be done about MacDonald?”
“He’ll be banished from Scorrybreac, whether it is meself as laird who declares the banishment, or whether it is the Council.”
“Good,” Annora said. “Yet he is still betrothed tae Tyra.”
“If I am laird, I shall see to it that an application to dissolve the formal betrothal is made tae King Robert immediately.”
She sighed. “And could such an application be made in the case of me betrothal tae Radcliffe?”
He sighed. “That may be difficult, given that ye’ve signed the papers and ye are nae legally under me care. We will need yer faither’s agreement.”
She harrumphed at that. “He’ll nae agree.” She brightened. “But I made a point of misspelling me name so me agreement cannae be taken as valid.”
He laughed softly. “We shall see, lass.
He nuzzled his face in her hair. “I have something tae ask of ye.”
“Oh?”
“Aye. Ye’ll need tae let me up so I can kneel at yer feet.”
She laughed and rose to her feet so that he could scramble up. While she stood there in front of the fire, he went down on one knee, and took her hand.
“Annora Munro, we have play-acted husband and wife these weeks, and I find having ye in me bed and as me wife is tae me liking. Would ye consider making it a true, unfeigned marriage?”
She grinned, her eyes sparkling. “Are ye asking me tae wed ye?”
Returning her smile, he nodded. “Aye. That is the very thing I’m asking of ye.”
A delighted laugh escaped her lips. “If I can rid meself of Sir Bertram, nothing would make me happier. Me answer, is aye.”
He got to his feet and she flung herself into his arms. He clasped her tight and twirled her around. “Me sweetest love.”
She clung to him, her heart beating fast as he carried her across to the bed and laid her tenderly on the feather mattress, pulling her fur cloak around her, laying her head gently on the pillows.
She reached for his hand. “Lie wi’ me.”
He rolled on his side beside her, toying with a long strand of her hair, looking deep into her eyes.
She placed a hand at his nape and urged his head down to hers. Every fiber of her body yearned for him. She longed for him to take her with passion yet he held her as if she was made of the finest porcelain, as if she would break if he took her in his big hands and laid his body on hers.
