“A woman as well-favored as ye should mak’ the most o’ her endowments.” His dark gaze lingered on her breasts, making it clear of what endowments he spoke. “Then again,” he continued with a wry twist of his lips, “I will no’ have to wait long to mak’ the most o’ those mysel’.”
Och, aye, he would strip her naked, would this man, and take what he wanted. His manner made that clear. Even more than his wife, she would be his possession.
She asked sweetly, “Would ye prefer to wait while I change my clothing?”
“Nay, nay, let us walk out.”
They did, she and Wen leading him about the confines of the settlement, and farther. He showed interest in the things that interested her not—the numbers of their warriors, how the guard was situated. The armory and the forge. Far less attention did he give to the beauties of the land, the vistas of shore and sea.
The rain held off, but she worried the whole time that she was missing her chance to speak with Kendrick. At last, they turned back, and she breathed out a sigh.
Conversation had been at a minimum. Earrach asked her only utilitarian questions, few personal ones. At length he did remark, “Ye will be looking forward to the wedding.”
Looking forwardwas not a term she would employ. Dreading came closer.
Not waiting for a reply, he stopped walking and faced her. “A kiss, perhaps, to anticipate what is to come.”
What was to come.Herself in his hands. Her body, his to claim. She could not.
“D’ye think it proper, Master Earrach? I would prefer to wait.”
He did not like that. She could tell by the flash of annoyance in his eyes.
“Verra well, mistress. But I would hope ye will welcome me more warmly tomorrow night.”
She had no words in reply to that.
Fortunately, he walked off toward his quarters.
Desperately, she sucked in air. Though she’d kept her eyes lively throughout their walk, she’d caught no glimpse of Adair.
She needed to see him. To ground herself in the strength and safety of his presence.
But not now.
Swiftly she went to the family quarters, where she found Kendrick standing outside the door speaking with Mican and his man.
“Father”—she used the title deliberately—“ye promised me a moment.”
All three men stared in affront. “When I am free, Bradana.”
“But ye said—”
“Aye, so. I will be along.”
She and Wen waited at a distance, unable to catch the words the three exchanged. The fat drops of rain began to fall as they waited.
“Come inside wi’ ye,” Kendrick called when the other two moved off. “Wha’ is all this, then?”
Nothing more—or less—than a bid for her future.
Servants occupied the family place when they went in. She could hear others moving in the great hall beyond.
“Father, I need to speak wi’ ye alone.”
He looked weary and put out. “If this is about Adair MacMurtray, I spoke wi’ that young man this morning. All is settled.”
“It is not.”
