Page 31 of Under the Laird’s Promise

"And I refused because I didnae ken ye."

"But I convinced ye anyway. Promised I was harmless." His smile turned wicked. "Which we both ken is a complete lie, but ye believed it at the time."

"Did I?"

"Aye. Because I'm charming when I want tae be." He stood, moved around the table. "So we danced. One dance became two. By the third, we were talking like old friends. Ye told me about the first signs of yer faither's illness, yer fears about what would happen tae the clan if it got serious. I told ye about losing me own faither, the pressure of living up tae his legacy."

"That's… actually quite good." She watched him pace, noting how naturally the story flowed. "What happened after the dancing?"

"I walked ye back tae yer chambers. Proper and respectful, accompanied by yer cousin." He paused. "But before I left, I asked if I could write tae ye. And ye said aye."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that." He met her gaze. "Because sometimes ye meet someone and just ken they're going tae matter. That they're going tae change everything."

The air between them felt suddenly charged. Maighread swallowed hard. "And then we corresponded fer three years?"

"Aye. Letters discussing everything—politics, poetry, our fears and hopes. We didnae see each other because ye were still young and I was busy training tae become me braither’s right hand." He tilted his head. "When did I ask ye tae marry me?"

"Recently. When I travelled tae the Lowlands tae visit me cousin, because ye kenned me faither was getting’ worse and ye wanted tae make it official."

"How romantic. We need something good."

"Like what?"

"Like…" He thought for a moment. "Like I arrived at yer cousin’s unexpectedly. Rode through a storm tae reach ye because I couldn't wait another day. Found ye in the solar, working on embroidery⁠—"

"I hate embroidery."

"Reading then. Found ye reading by the fire. Yer hair was loose, which it never is in public, and the firelight turned it copper and gold." His voice dropped lower. "I crossed the room, knelt beside yer chair, and told ye I couldn't live another day without knowing if ye'd be me wife."

Her mouth had gone dry. "That's… quite dramatic."

"It's a proposal. It should be dramatic." He moved closer. "Ye were shocked, naturally. Stammered something about needing time to think. But I caught yer hand, kissed yer knuckles, and said I'd wait as long as needed. That ye were worth waiting fer."

"And what did I say?"

"Ye said aye." He smiled. "Nae immediately. First ye made me promise tae speak tae yer faither properly. Tae dae everything correctly. But then ye said aye, and I kissed ye fer the first time."

Heat pooled low in her belly. "We're supposed tae have kissed?"

"If we've been courting fer three years, surely there's been some… physical contact." His gaze dropped to her mouth. "A stolen kiss, perhaps? A moment alone when propriety slipped?"

"We remained proper," she said firmly, though her voice wavered slightly. "As any honorable couple would."

"Aye, of course. Completely proper." His eyes gleamed with unholy amusement as he stepped even closer. "But propriety and desire aren't always compatible, are they? So maybe there were moments. Times when we were alone and the temptation was strong. When me hand lingered at yer waist a moment too long. When a kiss lasted until we were both breathless."

Her breath came short and fast. "Ye're trying tae fluster me."

"Is it working?"

"Yes," she admitted. "And it's wildly inappropriate."

"But effective." He stepped back, grinning. "See how easily ye blush? How yer breathing changes when I talk like that? That's what sells the lie. That's what convinces people there's genuine attraction between us, even if we've been perfectly chaste."

She pressed her hands to her hot cheeks. "Ye're terrible."

"I'm thorough." He returned to his chair. "Now. Back tae the story. We've been chaste. Stolen kisses and heated moments, but naething more. Ye insisted on waiting for the wedding night, and I respected that."