Page 42 of The Laird’s Sinful Claim

"And who decides what's necessary?"

"I do."

"That seems rather one-sided."

"You bought me at an auction," she said flatly. "I think I'm entitled to set some boundaries."

Fair point. David gestured for her to continue.

"Second, no touching."

"Nay touchin'," he repeated slowly.

"Not in private. In public, for show, fine. But when it's just us––" She paused, and he saw color rise in her cheeks. "You keep your hands to yourself."

David thought about the inn. About the way she'd trembled when he'd touched her spine. The way her breath had caught when his hand had moved to her stomach. The way she'd said yes and then no to using a favor, and how her body had responded.

"And third," Elinor continued, her voice stronger now, "you knock before entering any room I'm in. Every time. No exceptions."

"Even our shared bedchamber?"

"Especially our shared bedchamber."

David studied her for a long moment. She was serious. Dead serious, from the rigid set of her shoulders to the way she wouldn't quite meet his eyes.

"Is that everythin'?" he asked mildly.

"No." She took a breath. "I want my own room. A space that's just mine. Where I can go when I need to be alone."

"We already have a bedchamber."

"A bedchamber that's yours that you're letting me share. I want something that's mine."

"This is yer home now, lass. The entire castle is yers."

"That's not what I mean." Her hands curled into fists on his desk. "I mean a room with a door I can close. Where no one will disturb me. Where I can––" she stopped, seeming to struggle for words. "Where I can breathe."

The last word came out softer. Almost vulnerable.

David felt something twist in his chest. He thought about her father's house. About the auction. About being dragged from one situation to another with no control, no choice, no space to simply exist.

"Alright," he said.

She blinked. "Alright?"

"Aye. Ye can have a room."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that." He picked up his quill again, dipping it in ink. "I'll have Malcolm find ye somethin' suitable. Somewhere quiet, away from the main halls."

Elinor stared at him like she'd expected a fight. Like his easy agreement had completely disarmed her.

"And the other rules?" she asked carefully.

David set down the quill again. Met her eyes directly. "Is this one of yer favors?"

He watched her process the question. Saw her remember their negotiation at the inn. The three favors she'd demanded in exchange for helping him lie to the Duke.