Page 83 of The Laird’s Sinful Claim

"He'll nae find out. We were summoned, we told him we had been betrothed fer a few years but kept it a secret. That then her faither attempted tae break our betrothal fer financial reasons, trying tae sell her off tae another man. So I interfered tae prevent it, as we had a previous agreement, and we wed immediately tae ensure her faither couldnae interfere again."

"How can ye be sure he willnae find out anyway that this was all a lie?"

"Because I'm married tae her. Properly married. Legal and bindin'." David met his friend's eyes. "There's naethin' fer the Duke tae find out because the marriage is real."

"Real," Calum repeated slowly. "David, a marriage is only considered final if it's consummated. Have ye… " He stopped. "Have ye consummated the marriage?"

Heat crept up David's neck. He thought about the kiss upstairs. About Elinor in his lap, her hands in his hair, the way she'd said I want you with such simple honesty.

About how close they'd come to taking things further.

About how he'd stopped because she'd been attacked and was in shock and he refused to take advantage, no matter how much he wanted her.

"That's nae yer business," he said finally.

"It is if ye're lyin' tae the Duke about it." Calum's expression was serious. "Because if the marriage isnae consummated, it can be annulled. The Regent could dissolve it with a word. Send her back tae her faither or marry her off tae someone else. And ye'd be tried fer treason."

"I ken the risks."

"Dae ye?" Lachlann shook his head.

Euan gestured toward the door. "She was nearly kidnapped today! At yer own celebration!"

"Me plan is tae make this marriage so obviously legitimate that nay one questions it." David's voice was firm. "The Cèilidh was the first step. Showin' the clan that we're a proper couple. Buildin' support."

"And if the Regent sends investigators?" Archibald asked quietly. "If he demands proof of consummation? What then?"

"Then I'll provide it."

"How?"

"I said it's nae yer business." David's jaw tightened. "What happens between me and me wife is between us. But I'll handle it. One way or another."

"Ye're arguin' semantics," Lachlann said. "And the Duke willnae see it that way. He'll see betrayal. Defiance. And he'll make an example of ye."

"Only if he finds out the truth of how it came about. And he willnae." David poured himself another drink. "Everyone who kens what really happened is either in this room, has nay reason tae talk, or is dead. Langley can rant all he wants, but he has nay proof."

"What about the people at the auction?" Calum asked.

"Anonymous. Discrete. That's the whole point of those gatherin's." David's smile was sharp. "Nay one is goin' tae admit they were there. Would be bad fer their reputations."

"And her faither?"

"Her faither got five hundred pounds. He'll nae risk losin' that by openin' his mouth." David's voice went cold. "And if he daes, I'll make sure he regrets it."

The four men exchanged looks. David could see the concern written on their faces. The doubt.

"This is madness," Euan said finally. "Ye ken that, aye?"

"Perhaps."

"There's nay perhaps about it." Euan limped closer, his expression deadly serious.

David's hands curled into fists. "I'll find every last one of Langley's men and make sure they never threaten her again."

"And Langley himself?" Euan asked. "What happens when he comes fer her? Because he will, David. Men like that dinnae give up."

"Then I'll deal with him too." David's voice was flat. Final. "Whatever it takes."