Page 16 of Lady and the Scot

Her soft lips pressed kisses to his temple while her hands moved down his back.

How he loved this woman. The emotion battled with an enormous fear that threw a heavy, thick blanket over his mind. He'd only been in love once and she died before they could be together. When Halldis, the Norse woman he loved, died, Aiden wished for death as well. He loved her so much, dying would have been a welcome respite from the pain. But now, at that very moment, he realized that love was nothing like he felt now.

What he felt for Breena scared him into not knowing what to do. A part of him wanted to send her back to her clan. Had almost done so.

After talking to the McNeil, the man advised he marry Breena. To make her his wife and ensure she was protected. Once she told him about her family, how they did not care for her, the decision was made. He could not send her back.

The fear in him was irrational, crippling. On some level he understood it. Was it the way of love? Did it always bring great dread with it?

She cupped his face. "What are you thinking? Is something wrong?"

He'd vowed never to lie to her. If she were to be his wife, he would not start by deceiving Breena. "I am wondering what to do?"

Her beautiful brown eyes met his and she frowned. "If you mean about me, then I can help. Although I never expected to become a leman, that seems to be my lot. I am willing to move away to live in another smaller house perhaps, if you need to seek a wife."

"Move away?" Is that what she wanted? Aiden blinked trying to figure out how to explain himself. "No. I do not wish you to be away from me."

His heart skipped when her lips curved. "I am to remain here with you, then?"

"Aye."

"What if I..." she blushed. "What if I become with child?"

"Then I'll be a happy man." He kissed the crease between her brows. "I must explain."

"Laird!" There were hard knocks on the door.

"Enter," Aiden called out.

The maid entered and looked away at Aiden's nudity. He stood and wrapped his tartan around his waist. "Go on, Gilda, what is it?"

"There are men downstairs. They claim to have come for Lady Breena. Her brother and guardsmen, I believe."

His legs almost buckled. "Tell them I'll be down momentarily." He turned to the bed to see Breena sitting up, the bedding held up to cover her body. Rounded eyes met his. "I don't want to return with him."

"If your clan wishes to reclaim you, I cannot stop them." He hated the affect of his words when she gasped and her bottom lip trembled.

With regal pride, she slid to the edge of the bed and lifted her chin, her shoulders back. "I will dress and ask for my things to be repacked."

"No." He went to her. "I will ask your brother for your hand in marriage. I do not wish to lose you."

She searched his face as if not believing him. "Why would you do that?"

"Because I..." The maid returned. "Sorry, Laird, he demands you come down at once."

"Very well." Aiden grabbed his tunic and snatched it on. Then he placed his boots on and adjusted his tartan, bringing some of the fabric over his shoulder. Once he did, he placed a clan pin upon his breast to hold it in place.

Just before stepping through the door, he took his broad sword fastened it to his waist.

He rushed down the steps and stormed into the antechamber where a man stood surrounded by his guardsmen. "I don't take well to taking orders in my own home." He faced the man who stepped forward.

Almost at his height with no resemblance to Breena, the man wore a heavy beard and was dirty from his travels. Breena's brother did not seem the least bit intimidated. "I come for Breena. She must return home now that she is without husband."

Aiden looked to his men. "She does not wish to return."

"She does not have a say in this. Our father found out disturbing information about Robertson and dispatched me to retrieve her. Once here, I find he was killed. By you." The man narrowed his eyes at him. "And I also find that you took her."

"I asked her if she wished to return or live with me. She had a choice."