Page 312 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“Mostly trouble, I think.” Iain’s voice drew her attention back to him. “I would introduce you, but she will not tell me her name.”

His cousin looked nonplused. “What?”

“Laird.” A man gave Iain a hearty slap on the shoulder.

Iain nodded at the man who moved back into the milling crowd, then looked back at his cousin. “I believe it is because I stole her when she had the good sense to step off the abbey grounds.”

His cousin choked. “You what—stole her?” At

Iain’s nod, his eyes widened. “I never dreamed—” His attention flicked to her, a corner of his mouth twitching. “I did not think you cared for holy ground.”

“I do not.” The bemused look on Iain’s face faded. “But your religious sensibilities need not be ruffled. I did not desecrate the abbey. I waited until she stepped off the grounds.” He glanced at her, adding.

“Patiently.”

“What do you plan to do with her?”

“Marry her.”

Astonishment displaced his cousin’s amusement.

“You are not serious?”

“I am.”

Both men looked at her, and the cousin said, “She does not look overwhelmed with the offer.”

“She is warming to it.”

“How do you plan on marrying someone who will not reveal her name?”

“It will not matter,” Iain said. “I will call her wife, at least in public.”

Her cheeks heated.

“I would proceed with caution, mon ami,” Iain’s cousin replied. “I do not think you can take the vows without calling one another by name. How will the priest know what to put on the marriage certificate?” “Father Brennan will tell me her name.”

“Not if I instruct him not to,” Victoria countered. Something warm pressed against her back, and she jumped before realizing it was only a woman brushing past.

“She has a point,” the cousin said.

Iain’s head snapped in his direction. “He will tell me.”

“I do not know.” The cousin shook his head, and Victoria found the dark effect the comment had on her captor interesting. “I have never heard of a man marrying a woman whose name he did not know.” “I will know her name,” Iain growled.

Victoria started when the green-eyed devil snapped his fingers. “I have it. Whoever guesses her name wins her hand in marriage.”

“No one will be marrying her, save me,” Iain said.

For the first time in four days, Victoria felt like laughing when the cousin’s expression turned to one of comical gravity.

“We could have a contest,” he said.

Iain’s attention focused on her, and she caught the covert wink his cousin gave her.

Her pulse accelerated, but she gave a nonchalant shrug. “I believe it is as good a reason to wed as being stolen from a monastery. Still, I have an unusual name. If no one guesses it, I shall return home.” She pinned Iain with a stare. “Are you a gambling man, my lord?”

“I am sure I could guess it,” the cousin said.