The way he said ‘protection’made it clear that he meant far more than that, but she lifted her chin defiantly. “In name only, as we agreed.”
Something flickered across his features—amusement,perhaps, or challenge. “As ye say, lass.”
“I should finish dressin’,”she said quickly, needing him gone before her resolve faltered.
“Aye. I’ll be waitin’in the courtyard.” He paused at the door, his gaze raking over her once more. “Wear somethin’ warm. The ride to the village can be… cold.”
The door closedbehind him with a soft click, leaving Gabriella to wonder if he’d meant the weather or something else entirely.
Gabriella had forgottenhow it felt to ride pressed against Hector’s chest, his arms bracketing her as he gripped the reins. Every movement of the horse jolted her back against him, and she could feel the solid wall of muscle at her spine, the warmth radiating through his shirt.
His breath stirredthe hair at her temple when he leaned forward to guide the stallion around a fallen branch, and she had to bite her lip to suppress the shiver that ran through her. This was dangerous—this pull she felt toward him, the way her body seemed to soften against his without her permission.
Marriage in name only.
“Almost there,”he murmured in her ear, and the low rumble of his voice made her stomach flutter traitorously.
She felthim tense behind her as a particularly rough patch of road pressed her more firmly against him. His breathing changed, becoming more controlled, deliberate. When his arm tightened around her waist—ostensibly to steady her—she caught the sharp intake of breath he tried to hide.
He was as affectedas she was.
The realization sentheat spiraling through her, even as she fought against it. She could feel the rapid beat of his heart against her back, could sense the restraint in every careful movement he made. When she shifted slightly, trying to ease the growing tension in her body, she heard him curse softly under his breath.
“Dinnae move like that,”he said roughly, his voice strained.
“Like what?”she asked, though she knew perfectly well what he meant.
His gripon the reins tightened. “Ye ken exactly what ye’re doing, lass.”
Did she?Perhaps part of her was testing him, testing this dangerous attraction that hummed between them like a living thing.
“Ah! Laird McCulloch! And the bride-to-be!”Mistress Ross beamed as she gestured toward a curtained alcove. “Just days ago, ye were a guest, and now ye are a bride,” she said with an exaggerated wink at Gabriella. “Me Laird, everythin’ is ready, just as ye requested.”
Her shop seemed smaller today—perhapsbecause, in Gabriella’s mind, Hector’s presence seemed to fill every corner.
Mistress Ross bustledabout with obvious excitement, her apprentice trailing behind with armfuls of fabric and ribbon.
Gabriella movedtoward the fitting area, but Hector’s hand on her arm stopped her.
“I’ll be stayin’,”he said simply.
Heat flooded her cheeks.“That’s highly improper.”
“I was herethe first time, was I nae?” he pointed out, his voice carrying that note of authority she was learning to recognize.
Gabriella was aboutto explain that the last time they were here, he hadn’t looked at her like he wanted to tear her clothes offher body, when he growled, “And there are security concerns to consider.”
Mistress Ross lookedbetween them uncertainly. “Perhaps… perhaps the Laird could remain on the other side of the curtain? For the lady’s modesty?”
Hector hesitatedfor only a moment before he barked, “Aye.”
His expression suggestedthat this compromise wasn’t entirely satisfactory to him.
Behind the curtain,Gabriella’s hands trembled as she removed her traveling dress. She could hear him moving just beyond the thin barrier, his boots thudding against the wooden floor, a chair creaking as he settled into it.
“The gown, miss,”the apprentice whispered, holding up the most beautiful dress Gabriella had ever seen.
It was madeof ivory silk, with delicate blue embroidery that matched the McCulloch colors. The bodice was fitted to accentuate her curves while remaining tastefully modest. The skirts fell in elegant folds that would move beautifully during the wedding dance.
