Page 72 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

Ailis noticed Callan stiffen right then. “Ye have invited Kerr?”

“Merely as a formality. I daenae think he will attend.”

The table quieted, and Gordon leaned back. His expression revealed nothing still.

“I ken how to guard what falls under me protection,” he replied calmly.

Ailis’ fingers tightened around her cup. Something about the way he said it made her heart beat harder.

Then his gaze moved straight to her.

“And I daenae intend to lose any treasures to anyone. Nae even Laird Kerr.”

For a heartbeat, Ailis forgot how to breathe. His words sounded too much like a vow to protect her.

His eyes remained upon hers, and she felt the color rise beneath her skin before she could stop it.

Her cheeks burned.

Treasure? Surely he couldnae mean⁠—

No. He could not.

Yet when she dared glance at him again, Gordon was still watching her. And the faintest curve had appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Ailis swallowed. Her heart gave another traitorous beat as she tried to look away from him and not imagine what treasure he spoke of.

But he kept watching her with those intense eyes that nearly made her squirm.

Later that evening, Sorcha stole Ailis away to her chambers with the solemn declaration that future brides required sisterly supervision.

“Supervision?” Ailis repeated, following her through the doorway. “I am nae a bairn. Besides, this weddin’ was nae of me choice. It is ye who is excited about it, nay me.”

Ailis feigned a pout that she could not sustain as she followed Sorcha into the chamber.

Sorcha shut the door behind them. “Ye say ye daenae want this marriage, and yet here ye are. Ye havenae fled like I expected ye to.”

Ailis’ frown deepened. “I promised ye I wouldnae.”

Sorcha laughed and tugged her onto the bed.

Ribbons lay scattered across the blankets, half-finished embroidery sat forgotten beside them, and several of Ailis’ painted cloths had been folded into a colorful pile.

For a while, they simply sat together. Then Sorcha turned her head and studied her sister. “Is it because ye have come to enjoy yer time here? Do ye fancy the Dragon?”

Sorcha teased her with laughter as she questioned, and Ailis burned even hotter inside her till she felt the flush kiss her cheeks and ears because she knew the truth.

Sorcha’s jest was the truth. She fancied Gordon and wondered about too many things lately.

Like if he ever thinks of me.

“What I speak and what I feel are completely different things,” she said to Sorcha now, exhaling slowly. “I did intend to run and ruin all the plans, but I made ye a promise.”

“Ach, please. Ye are terrible at lyin’. If ye had wanted to flee, ye would have done so already.”

Sorcha poked her side and gave her a suspicious yet knowing look.

“Last time ye fled, ye fell and broke yer ribs before ye even reached Uncle’s. Ye are terrible at ridin’; I worried that ye might have broken yer neck before ye made it far.”