Hector movedto stand beside her, careful to maintain a respectful distance. “It would mean ye have me name, me protection, and me oath to honor yer wishes.”
“And me wifely duties…”She faltered, her cheeks warming despite the chill of her wet clothing. “The kiss we shared?—”
“Was impulsive on me part,”he finished for her, his voice deeper than before.
“Nay,”Gabriella blurted, surprising herself with her honesty. “It wasnae just ye. I-I responded.” She risked a glance at his face, finding his eyes already on her. “It was new to me, that feelin’. I’ve never…”
Understanding dawned in his expression.“Ye’ve never been kissed before?”
She shook her head,struggling to find the words. “Nay. It was frightenin’. Nae because I feared ye would hurt me, but because I didnae want it to stop.”
The confession hungin the air between them. Hector’s jaw tightened, and something dark flickered in his gaze.
“I promise ye this,”he said, his voice rough. “Our marriage would be in name only until ye decide otherwise. Ye would have yer own chambers, yer own space. I wouldnae force unwelcome attentions on ye.”
A log shiftedin the fire, sending sparks upward. Gabriella stepped back instinctively, colliding with Hector’s solid chest. His hands came up to steady her, resting lightly on her upper arms.
The contact,though brief, sent a jolt of awareness through her. She pulled away, wrapping her arms around herself.
“I have conditions,”she said, her voice steadier than she felt. “I must have freedom within the castle, nae kept like a prisoner in a gilded cage. And I would need yer word that ye willnae…” She gestured vaguely, unable to articulate the intimate aspects of marriage.
“Ye have me word,”Hector replied solemnly. “But ken this, Gabriella—a marriage, even one in name only, must appear real to others. There would be expectations, appearances to maintain.”
“I understand.”She drew a deep breath. “How long would this arrangement last? Until Lewis is caught?”
Hector moved toward the door,checking the rain, which had begun to ebb. “Until ye’re truly safe,” he answered, his back turned to her. “Or until ye wish to leave.”
Somethingin his tone made Gabriella wonder if he truly believed either condition would ever be met. The dynamic between them had shifted—from rescuer and rescued to something more complex, with obligations on both sides. Shewasn’t simply accepting his protection now; she would be entering a partnership, however limited in scope.
“The rain is easin’,”Hector observed, turning back to her. “We should continue to the castle before the storm returns.”
They rodein silence as the clouds parted, revealing patches of evening sky. The setting sun cast long shadows across the Highland landscape, turning puddles into pools of liquid gold. Castle McCulloch appeared on the horizon, its stone towers silhouetted against the darkening sky.
“We should makethe announcement as soon as possible,” Hector said, breaking the quiet that had settled between them. “A simple ceremony could be arranged within the week.”
Gabriella nodded,her hands tightening in her lap as uncertainty flickered across her face. “What if…” she began hesitantly, then met his eyes. “What if there are people who oppose our marriage? Members of yer clan who think ye should marry someone more… suitable?”
Hector’s expression hardened.“Anyone who dares question me choice will answer to me directly.”
His fierce protectivenesssent a rush of warmth through her that had nothing to do with the evening’s humid air. She glanced at his profile—his strong jaw, the determined set of his mouth—and found herself wondering again what it would be like to be truly his.
“Ye’re starin’,”he observed, his eyes still fixed on the path ahead.
Gabriella looked away quickly.“I was just… thinkin’.”
“About?”
“Nothin’of importance,” she stammered. “Certainly nae about—I mean, I wasnae… starin’.”
A smirk tuggedat the corner of his mouth. “Ye’re nae very convincin’, lass.”
“I’m nae attracted to ye,”she blurted, her face flaming. “If that’s what ye’re thinkin’.”
Hector arched an eyebrow,amusement evident in his expression. “I said nothin’ about attraction.”
“Well,I just wanted to be clear,” she mumbled, mortified.
“Crystal clear,”he agreed, though his tone suggested he believed exactly the opposite.
