AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“How have you ensured that? What have you done?”
“I have only followed though wi’ my word. As fer now, he will be enjoying a long tenure aboard a pirate ship, captained by one of the most ruthless men I’ve ever encountered.”
“What does that mean, Alasdair?”
“That he will suffer.”
I turn away from him and lean against the banister. I know Lord Percy deserves punishment. But I can’t help feeling uncomfortable with the ease at which Lord Stewart delivers it.
“He deserves worse.” The anger in his voice does not go unnoticed.
“Yes. He has managed to alter the state of my life rather abruptly. But why are you here, Lord Stewart?”
“Ye know why I’m here, Lady Ella.” I can hear the frustration in his voice. He should have known I would not make this easy for him. “I told ye the night we first met that I would protect yer reputation. We are to be married.”
“Are we? Just like that? And I suppose you thought I’d be overjoyed with this news, no doubt.” I cross my arms firmly over my chest, glaring in frustration at this beautiful man. “What will you do if I tell you no, I will not marry you?”
“I will tell ye that the fierce glare in yer eyes and the conviction in yer voice makes me want to marry ye even more. It makes me want to take ye in my arms and kiss yer lovely mouth and make you not regret having yer choice taken away from ye.” Damn him for knowing how that will affect me. “I know this has ye in knots…Christ! It has me in knots as well. It was’na supposed to be this way, the choice being forced upon ye.”
He stops then to let us both have a moment to absorb our reality. Reaching up, he puts his hand under my chin, gently nudging me to look at him. “Ella. Let me protect ye. I promise ye will’na regret it.”
My eyes close as the tears overwhelm my vision. “It’s too much, too fast. Yesterday…yesterday you saved me, and then…the kiss we shared... It was all so much to take in. But even still, I was looking forward to seeing you again.”
“Were ye, now? Tell me a bit more about that. I believe my fragile ego might enjoy the boost.” His lopsided smile creates an endearing dimple in his tanned cheek.
“Hmph! There is nothing fragile about your ego and well you know it!”
“Aye. Ye may have me there.”
His jesting changed the tone of our conversation, easing some of the tension.
“I don’t know if I’m ready,” I say with all seriousness. “What if we are not a good match? I know quite well how insufferable you can be.”
He throws his head back in laughter that echoes across the terrace.
“I’m a man and a bloody Scot, of course I’m insufferable. But you…ye are strong and sharp of mind, tenacious and fearless. That’s why we are such a good match. Ye are sure to keep me in line.”
The severity of our reality creeps back upon us as we stop and simply stare at one another, picturing our future, a life together as husband and wife. How has this happened? Is this the right thing?
“Do ye believe in fate, faerie maiden?”
His question and the smooth tenor of his voice send a chill up my spine. I don’t know that I have ever given much thought to the notion of fate. I certainly never intended to give up control to anyone or anything. Yet, look at the turn my life has taken since I happened upon this man in the conservatory. I was determined to despise him, to rid the glorious image of him from my mind. But here I stand before him, expected to take his hand in marriage, every alternative far less appealing.
“Well, Lord Stewart, I suppose I do, albeit reluctantly. However, you may not be so pleased to know I have no intention of making this easy for you.”
“Lady Ella, I would expect nothing less. But more importantly, ye’ve just agreed to be my wife.”
