“I daenae have hunting hounds, nor any hounds,” Kaden said tersely.
If she was so ready and willing to argue all the time, he was going to have a time controlling his temper.
“Ye cannae stand there and tell me that ye daenae like animals! She’s adorable!”
“Nay, I daenaecarefor them. It’s for the best that they stay very far from me.”
Emily stepped forward, and his entire body tensed. “She’s nae even half a stone. Why are ye so afraid?”
“I’m nae.”
“Then pet her.” Emily thrust the thing between them.
A shudder skittered down his spine, and he shook his head. “I’m nae going to entertain ye, nor play any of these stupid little games.”
“Kaden.” Emily smiled, innocence in her eyes as she held out the wiggling mat of fur. “I do need a name for her. I’ve been having the most difficult time naming her.”
Kaden lifted a hand slowly, warily. If the thing snapped at him, he was not going to be held responsible for how he reacted.
His fingertips brushed the soft top of the mongrel’s head, and it whipped its head up to lick his hand. Kaden jerked his hand back the moment he felt its breath on his skin, and had to catch himself.
Was he truly going to be afraid of this thing just because of the past? No, he couldn’t allow himself to have weaknesses, and this was clearly one of them.
But, to his shock, when he put his hand back, the mongrel pressed its nose into it and licked his palm, tail wagging furiously as it attempted to get closer to him.
Emily giggled and struggled to pull the pup back against her chest so that she wouldn’t topple out of her arms. “See? Was that really so bad, then?”
Kaden chose not to answer. He shifted his gaze from the pup in her arms to her eyes, sinking into the warmth there that wanted to wrap around him. He could get lost in those eyes if he wasn’t careful with himself.
“Maggie,” he said softly.
“Hm?” Emily murmured without looking away from him.
He felt that the longer the two of them gazed into one another’s eyes, the louder the world begged him to draw closer to her, to wrap her up in his arms and lift her off her feet.
The bed was awfully close. But they had a deal. She had to ask him. He wasn’t about to fail the first test. No matter how damned tempting it was.
“A name for the pup,” he clarified.
A bright smile spread slowly across Emily’s lips, showing teeth and the dimples in her fair cheeks. “That’s a perfect name.”
Kaden’s hands itched to touch her.
He cleared his throat and turned away from her. “Well, I suppose that I should leave ye to become acquainted with the castle and the grounds. There are a fair few hours yet before supper will be served.”
“Ah, alright.”
Was that disappointment he heard in her voice?
“I’ll have one of the maids fetch ye for dinner, and help ye change and get ready…” he trailed off as he allowed himself just one more look at her. Even if he lingered for a moment longer than he had meant to. “Me sisters will nay doubt want to host a feast in the next few weeks to properly welcome ye to the clan.”
“Will the wedding feast nae be enough?” Emily asked.
Kaden almost laughed. “That’s what I said.”
“I think that should be more than enough spectacle.”
“I’ll pass on the message, though I’m nae sure how much good it will do.”
