“But as the daughter of a laird, Annora Munro, ye’d hardly be interested in a marriage wi’ a low-born lad. Ye’d be seeking a laird at the very least.”
He felt the blood coursing in his veins at the thought of her wed to anyone but himself. But that was something he would keep to himself. It was, indeed puzzling.
Her smile faded and her expression grew serious. A tiny sound like a stifled wail passed her lips.
“This talk of me being wed has put me betrothal tae the Englishman intae me head again.” She shivered. “With the events of the day I’ve been almost able tae forget him.”
Edmund went to reach a hand to clasp hers in reassurance but he stopped himself, recalling the rule against touching.
Her voice quivered as she went on. “If ye choose tae be Laird of the MacNeacails after all, what is tae become of me? Ye agreed tae see me safe, yet as long as I remain in Scotland, I risk discovery by me faither or Radcliffe.”
She turned away, clenching her fists at her side.
“Dinnae fash, Annora,” Edmund said gently. “I promised tae keep ye safe, and I am nae a lad who breaks his word.
She turned her grey eyes to meet his gaze. “I thank ye fer that. It gives me comfort.”
He rose and, with blatant disregard for the rule, he reached a hand to help her to her feet. She did not push him away. “Come lass, let us get our rest. I’ll need me wits steady and prudent tomorrow when I hear what the clan Elders have tae say.”
He turned back the covers and placed the bolster down the middle of the vast bed, gesturing for her to get in.
Heaving a giant sigh, she gazed askance at the bed. Shaking her head, she climbed onto the soft mattress, and slipped beneath the covers on one side of the bolster.
Sprawling on the other side of the bolster Edmund pulled off his boots. Then he stood, undoing the brooch holding his kilt shawl at his throat. The length of plaid slid from his shoulder as he reached for the buckle on his belt.
Annora let out a squeal, dashing a sudden hand to her mouth.
Startled, Edmund swiveled his head. “In the Devil’s name, lass, what is it?” He jumped back. “What ails ye? Have ye seen a wee mouse?”
“Nay, nay, it’s just that…”
He waited, fixing her with his gaze. “Are ye suddenly ill?”
“Nay.” She shook her head, an expression of impending doom in her downcast eyes and tightly drawn lips. She sniffed and for a moment he anticipated a sudden flood of tears. “’Tis ye.”
“Me? What have I done tae alarm ye so?”
“Why, ye’re about tae stand before me undressed.” She pulled the covers tighter under her chin, staring at him in wide-eyed horror. Or at least, he assumed it was horror. Her being a sweet virgin and all, no doubt the sight of a naked ladwouldcause her to squeal.
He laughed, placing a hand on the pillow next to her head and leaned over. “Why, that problem is easily fixed.”
“It is?” she said in a small voice. “Ye mean, ye intend to sleep fully clad in yer kilt?”
“Nay lass.” He was still chuckling. “Ye can solve the problem by closing yer eyes and keeping them closed tight until I’ve taken off me clothes and stepped intae the bed.”
She paused a moment, opening her moth as if to speak, but no sound issued forth. Then with a loud huff, she closed her eyes and rolled on her side.
With the faintest of smiles quirking his lips, Edmund undid the buckle on his belt, slipped off his plaid and laid it across the hanger. He pulled back the covers, snuffed out the candle, and laid his head on the pillow. He silently cursed the circumstances that meant he couldn’t ever touch her.
In the name of all the saints, why did I agree tae such an outlandish thing.
It was only when he heard a soft snore issuing from her side of the bed that he finally allowed himself to slip into a dreamless sleep.
CHAPTER SIX
When Annora opened her eyes, the first thing she glimpsed was Edmund’s hunched figure poring over a series of parchments on the table in front of him. Beside him was a platter of bannocks and cheese, along with apples and walnuts.
“Good morrow,” she said, easing herself from under the covers. She stretched and yawned, feeling surprisingly refreshed after a comfortable sleep.
