Chapter 13
What? Flora asked, shock surely written all over her flushed face.
Lachlan rose up on his elbow to look at her. A lock of hair slumped across his forehead. Her heart squeezed. He was so incredibly handsome and strong. His rugged face was relaxed for once, although the slightest hint of a frown had appeared between his brows. Our marriage, of course. It was understood.
Recalling his words, she could see how he might have misconstrued her agreement.
When she didnt respond, he added, I suppose there wasnt much of a proposal. He held her gaze with a moving intensity, a look that was possessive yet tender. A look that made her breath hitch. He lifted her hand to his mouth and pressed a gentle kiss on her knuckles. Flora MacLeod, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?
She couldnt prevent the reflexive spike of happiness. For a moment, she was tempted. Shed tried to guard against it, but she could no longer deny her feelings for the gruff Highlander. He was nothing at all like the sort of man shed imagined herself marrying, yet his appeal was undeniable.
He seemed in earnest, but all was not as it appeared; of that she was sure. He wanted her, if only she could be sure why. Her mothers warnings and the situation with Lord Murray had conspired to make her proceed with caution.
She swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry. II dont know what to say.
Yes would seem appropriate.
His voice held the slightest hint of an edge. She studied his face intently, wishing she could see inside his head. He seemed to be waiting patiently for her answer, but he wasnt patient at all. He was tense, held too still, though he wanted her to think otherwise. Why is marriage so important to you?
I took your virginity. I hardly think you need to ask.
But she did. And his response proved achingly disappointing. There was no more talk of caring for her, and certainly not the declaration that perhaps she was secretly hoping for. For a moment, she wished for a little more of the insouciant courtier prone to flatter, rather than the implacable Highland warrior. She didnt know what she expected, except that it was more.
A wry smile hid her disappointment. You dont need to marry me for that.
He bridled, and a fierce expression obliterated the joy of only moments before. My honor demands otherwise.
Honor. The soft blow hit with a forceful impact. And that is all? she asked quietly. That is the only reason you wish to marry me?
His eyes shuttered, and he hesitated a moment too long. I told you before that I cared for you.
He swept his finger along her jaw in a soothing caress, but she turned her head away.
He doesnt trust me, she realized. And maybe I dont completely trust him. Not enough to risk her future or, she feared, her heart.
She felt the bond theyd just shared unraveling. No, she said tonelessly. I wont marry you.
Incredulity warred with the sudden flare of anger that appeared on his face. But you agreed.
She lifted her chin. I did no such thing. You asked me if I understood the consequences. I did. I do.
You gave yourself to me. The hard look in his piercing blue eyes sent a chill through her bones. You are ruined.
She flinched. Never had she more resented that term. It seemed to sully everything about what theyd just shared. I hardly think my loss of virginity will be a bar to finding a husband. Not that I would mind if it did.
Something pained flickered in his gaze before anger smothered it. The fingers caressing her jaw stopped and held firmly. Am I to understand that you were using me for your own ends, Flora? His voice was deceptively calm, though nothing had ever felt so dangerous. To make yourself less appealing as a bride, perhaps?
She couldnt deny that the thought had crossed her mind, but she never would have given herself to him for that alone. She shook her head. That was not my intent. No more than you were using me for your own, Im sure. He held perfectly still. He might have masked his reaction, but there had been one.
Had she simply wounded his pride by refusing, or was there something more? She didnt want to hurt him, but she needed to be sure that his motives for wanting her were what they appearedsurety that so far hed been unable to provide. But there was no denying the magic of what had just occurred between them. Magic that she didnt want to lose in unwarranted suspicion.
She held the wrist of the hand on her face and leaned up to place a tender kiss on his lips. Please, dont be angry. I dont want to let this misunderstanding ruin the beauty of what just happened. Your honor is intact. I came to you willingly, and with full understanding of the consequences. I would do so again, if you asked.
Lachlan couldnt believe it. What could she be thinking? He didnt want her as his leman, but as his wife. He bit back a crude retort and the spur of anger unleashed by her refusal.
Did she think him simply a stud, good enough to fuck but not refined enough to marry? Hed never asked a woman to be his wife before. And never had he anticipated a refusal, let alone one that would sting so badly. Coming as it was on the heels of the most incredible sexual encounter of his life. Making love to Flora had been unlike anything hed ever experienced. Deep. Raw. Powerful. Life-changing.
It was as though hed waited his entire life for something he hadnt even known was missing. And now that hed found her, he sure as hell wouldnt let her go. Not without a fight. She belonged to him, she just didnt know it yet.
Theyd made love. Shed given him her innocence, he had every right to expect that she would marry him. Under normal circumstances, she wouldnt have a choice. But he couldnt be sure that Rory would compel her to marry him, even now. Nor did he want to force a marriage between them that waynot if there was a chance he could convince her.
And he intended to do just that.
He ran his finger down her collarbone and over the lush tip of her bare breast. Her nipple tightened immediately. Hed prove to her that despite their different backgrounds, they were alike in the only way that mattered.
No one else will ever make you feel like this.
She eyed him warily, the soft flush of desire working its way across her body as fingers skimmed the soft naked velvet of her belly to reach between her legs and probe her intimately. She was wet and soft and responded to his touch with a sensuous press of her hips. He loved the way she closed her eyes and squeezed her legs against his hand.
He surrendered to the sultry haze for just a moment, reveling in the completeness of her response. Leaning over, he gave her a hard kiss on the lips and slid his finger from her damp heat. His body, stirred by her response, throbbed its objection.
Her eyes opened in surprise at the swift curtailment of pleasure.
But if he had to wait, so would she. Not again, Flora. I wont make love to you until you agree to be my wife.
Her eyes flashed with anger. That was a rotten trick.
He shrugged, not disagreeing. I would do right by you this instant. Say the word and I will give you more pleasure than you can stand.
She turned away, her long blond hair spilling over his plaid like a silky golden veil. He wanted her so much, it hurt. Her continued refusalher rejectiongnawed at him. As did another possibility.
He took her chin and turned her back to face him. And what if there is a child, Flora? he said, his voice deceptively flat. What of that consequence?
She let out a small gasp of surprise. Her hands unconsciously covered her naked stomach.
Apparently you did not consider all of the ramifications.
Im s-sure the likelihood is small, she stammered.
If there is a child, you will marry me, even if I have to drag you to the door of the kirk myself. Do you understand? The fierceness of his tone left no doubt that he meant every word.
Eyes wide, she nodded.
He stood up, donned his clothes, and left her without a glance to ready the horses for their return. In truth, he didnt trust himself to say another word. He was still too damn angry by her refusal.
But anger wasnt the only emotion tying him in knots. His reaction when shed nearly died should have warned him, and now that theyd made lovehed gotten in too deep.
He wasnt as detached as he needed to be in the situation. Hell, he wasnt detached at all.
He raked his fingers through his hair, wondering how a simple plan had become so complicated. Two months ago, hed wondered whether hed made a bad bargain. He remembered thinking that Argyll had agreed too easily, and now he knew why. Flora MacLeod was trouble. He just hadnt anticipated how much. Or that the trouble would impact him so personally. Balancing her feelings with his duty was no easy feat.
Hed finished readying the horses and returned to find her dressed, the plaid folded, and the remainder of the food packed away. All signs of what had transpired not a quarter of an hour ago were gone.
Are you ready? he asked.
She nodded and gave him a hesitant look. Are you still very angry?
He was, but not only at her. The situation had spun out of control. Mistakenly, hed thought that once they made love, she would agree to marry him. Hed admitted that he cared for her, but it wasnt enough. She wanted something more from him. More than he could give. He was a chief, he had responsibilitiestoo many people were counting on him.
Just looking at her, seeing the vulnerability on her face, tore at his heartand at his conscience.
He drew her into his arms and pressed a tender kiss on her still swollen lips. Tempted to take more, but too cognizant of the dangerat how quickly the fire between them could flare out of control.
Lifting his mouth from hers, he looked into her confused eyes. Im not a man used to taking no for an answer, Flora. Be forewarned, I intend to convince you otherwise. He put his mouth close to her ear, nibbled lightly on the sweet lobe, and breathed softly, savoring the way she shuddered against him. No matter what it takes, he whispered. His hand moved to cup her breast, rubbing his thumb over the fabric of her gown. She softened against him, her body responding to his seductive stroke.
His cock hardened, and his body flooded with heat. He wanted her, but not just the response of her body. He wanted her heart. He wanted to bind her to him, so that nothing, even the truth, would tear them apart. Im not a patient man, my sweet. Dont make me wait too long.