Page 60 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

Gods.

She had already seen enough. Before her eyes could wander lower, she turned sharply toward the door, gathering her skirts in trembling fingers.

“I shall leave ye to yer bath, Me Laird.”

She slipped from the chamber before her foolish eyes could commit another offense.

That evening, Ailis requested a private conversation with him.

Gordon regarded her from his desk when she entered his study.

She looked entirely too pleased with herself. Her blue eyes sparkled as she paced around his study for a bit.

“What is it?”

“I have a proposition.”

Gordon reached for his whisky, his temple already throbbing as he did not know what she would ask.

“It is about Lileas,” she continued.

His hand paused around the quaich.

Ailis’ expression softened. “She should stay with me in me chamber.”

Gordon leaned back. “Stay with ye?”

“She is frightened at night. She wakes and finds herself in a different room with a different servant beside her, and she thinks she has been abandoned again. I ken what it is to be wee and alone,” she said quietly. “I ken what it feels like to be frightened of the dark too although me brother and sister were always there for me whenever I was frightened.”

Gordon studied her. There was no mischief in her face now, only tenderness.

“Please?”

He thought of Lileas and the way the child always ran into Ailis’ arms without hesitation.

“Very well.”

Ailis blinked, her eyes wide with shock. “Very well?”

“Aye.” He took another drink. “But ye will need larger chambers.”

Her lips parted as he rose to his feet and walked toward her.

Her brows arched now. “Larger chambers?”

“Adjacent to mine.”

Her smile slowly returned. “Whatever for?”

“It is the biggest chamber in this castle. And yer present chamber is too small.”

And because it is nae fair that I have made ye stay in that chamber all this time.

She placed a hand dramatically against her heart. “Me chamber is spacious enough for me.”

Gordon’s brow lifted. “It was spacious enough for me too, but it doesnae mean that I daenae need a bigger one.”

A laugh burst from her. “I thought ye didnae need anythin’ beside yer swords and horses? Ye are the Dragon, are ye nae? A fearsome dragon.”