Scarlett’s chest heaved as she struggled to find her voice. At last, it came, sharper than she expected. “Ye’re insufferable. Cold as the stones beneath our feet. Did ye think I’d stand meek while ye laid out such commands?”
His eyes flickered, not with anger but with something darker. Interest.
Bold little lass. I thought she’d bow her head, yet here she stands spitting fire. She doesnae flinch.
He'd expected tears, or silence, or the particular kind of dignity women use as a shield. Not this. Not her chin up and her eyes straight on him like she's measuring something.
Scarlett took a step forward, jabbing a finger toward his chest though she dared not touch him. “I willnae be cowed by rules, Laird McLaren. Ye’ll find I’ve more spine than suits yer liking. I may be bound by this alliance, but I am nae yers to order about like a servant.”
Robert tilted his head slightly, his gaze sliding to her mouth before returning to her eyes. His voice dropped. “Ye’ve fire, lass. I’ll give ye that.”
The sound of it made her shiver though she masked it with a scowl. “And ye’ve arrogance enough to choke a stable.”
For the first time, the edge of his mouth twitched. Not a smile, something subtler, as though he fought one back. “Perhaps. But arrogance keeps men alive. Keeps clans alive.”
Scarlett folded her arms, refusing to back down though her body thrummed with awareness of him. “And what keeps a woman alive, then? Submission?”
His gaze locked on hers, “Strength. Which ye clearly have. All the same, strength doesnae change what I’ve said. I want an heir, yer nights with full submission, and nay love.”
Scarlett’s voice wavered with disbelief. “Nay love? Ye’d forbid it as if it were a crime?”
Robert's jaw tightened, something closing behind his eyes. “Love is weakness. It clouds the mind, bends judgment. I willnae have it in me marriage.”
Scarlett’s breath shuddered, anger warring with the strange pull she felt toward him. “Then ye’re a fool, Robert McLaren. Because love is the only thing that makes such a bargain bearable.”
The silence that followed crackled like a storm about to break.
He moved closer, so close she could see the faint scar cutting along his jaw and could feel the heat radiating from his body. Hisvoice came rough, lower than before. “Careful, lass. Ye’ll find me nae as forgiving as yer brother when ye speak out of turn.”
Scarlett’s heart thudded against her ribs. She lifted her chin, refusing to step back. “And ye’ll find me nae as pliant as ye’d like when ye try to tame me.”
Their eyes locked, neither of them yielding. The fire popped in the hearth, but the greater heat was between them, coiled tight.
Robert’s gaze dropped once more to her lips then back to her eyes.
Saints preserve me, she’s too tempting.
He stopped himself before the thought could turn into action, but he remained where he was, face to face with her.
He drew in a breath, forcing steel back into his spine. With measured control, he stepped away from her.
His voice was cold again when he spoke. “Whatever ye think of me, it’s too late to turn back. The alliance is sealed. Ye’ve nae road left but forward, Scarlett Gallaway.”
CHAPTER THREE
Edith had clung to her so tightly that Scarlett thought she might never breathe again. Her sweet friend’s tears had dampened the collar of her gown.
“Ye’ll come back to visit, Scarlett,” Edith had whispered, desperate. “Promise me.”
Scarlett had pressed her palms to Edith’s cheeks, wiping the tears with her thumbs. “I’ll come visiting, aye? And ye’ll write me. Aaron gave his word ye’d be safe here.”
Edith had nodded though her eyes brimmed over again.
Aaron had stood apart with his arms folded and a blank face. His farewell had been nothing more than a curt nod. She had searched his face for something—affection, regret, even pride—but found nothing. That emptiness had stung more than she dared admit.
The journey had stretched nearly a full day, and Scarlett felt every mile of it in her bones. The wind bit sharp across the hills as Gundor Castle came into view, its gray towers rising high against the darkening sky. She held herself tall in the saddle though her back ached and her hands were stiff from the reins.
Robert rode beside her although he was silent throughout the ride, only making small talk with some of his men along the way.
