Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 86360 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86360 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
“I’ve made a decision.”
I look to her in surprise. “Have you, lass?”
“I’ve been thinking about it all day. I’ve decided not to fight the inevitable.”
Her trick of speech makes me smile.
“How so?”
“You said that my marrying you will be for my safety and the safety of others,” she says. “Can you explain that?”
“I can,” I tell her, turning to face her. “Your mother was a Martin. Confirmed by both my mother and uncle. You’ve a right to Martin’s inheritance and a place at his table, as his granddaughter. But the Martins are a ruthless bunch, our greatest rivals. If he knows you exist, your life is forfeit.”
Bravely, so bravely, my lass holds my gaze and nods. “He would kill me, because I’m assuming he has another in my place?”
She’s a smart girl. “Aye, lass.”
“And how does my wedding you prevent any fallout?” she asks, tipping her head to the side adorably, like a little kitten, her long black hair gleaming.
“Clan law,” I tell her. “He cannot touch a hair on the head of a Clan Chief,” I explain. “If he does, his own life is forfeit. He has no son, so if his life is forfeit, his Clan must join with another.”
Her brows furrow, and she nods. “Furthermore, how would my marrying you prevent danger coming to others?”
“Inevitable peace between The Clans, lass.”
She works her lip, biting down meditatively, her book forgotten. “Even for the boys?”
“Aye. Especially the boys.”
She nods, as if accepting this. “Honestly, Keenan,” she says. “I have to admit, I don’t know what else I would do with myself. The home I knew is no longer. By all intents and purposes, I don’t even exist. I can’t very well sail away and find a job, or traverse the endless terrain to find a job…”
What on earth is she talking about? I let her go on.
“I’ve no interest in living the life of a spinster,” she says, and I swear the lass is so fetching, I want to gather her to me and kiss every inch of her. “I was lonely in the lighthouse. But with your family… I feel at home. I could… I could grow to love them.”
I walk to her and take her hands, drawing her to her feet and close to me. “I wish I had the luxury of time with you right now, sweet Cait,” I whisper. “I would show you how thankful I am. You’ve no idea what it means to be the wife of the Clan Chief, but I promise you. You’ll want for nothing. You’ll have the protection and respect of The Clan. And as mine, I’ll take care of your every need.”
I gather her face in my hands, bend, and brush my lips to hers. She closes her eyes and kisses me back, gentle and sweet. She tastes like sugar-dusted shortcake, rich and sweet and decadent.
I love you.
I don’t say it. I don’t love her, not yet, though I know the tiny seeds of love have been planted. With time and attention, perhaps they’ll grow.
Nay. With time and attention, they’re sure to grow.
I pull away with reluctance when a knock sounds at the door. Malachy and I will take our positions, prepared to ambush if our women are attacked tonight. Caira and a few others have planned to go to a local pub, to draw out the attackers. Caira’s afraid, but Malachy assured her we’ve got this under control. That we’ll keep them safe. The girls are wired, my men armed.
“Take me with you,” Caitlin says.
I snort, the very idea preposterous. “Are you out of your mind?” I shake my head.
She doesn’t hesitate. “Then let me go with the girls.”
I narrow my eyes on her, but I can’t help but smile. She knew I wouldn’t take her with me, but perhaps thought she could manage another way. I look about the small room. We don’t have enough men to do detail inside and out.
“You were hedging your bets, weren’t you?”
“Hedging my what?”
I slide my hand up the edge of her dress and cup her bottom. “You were playing me. Manipulating me.”
I know I’ve hit my mark when her cheeks pink, or maybe it’s because of the punishing grip on her arse.
“Well. I like to think it was a form of reason,” she says. “Plus, Keenan, you do know that I’ve never been with… friends? On a night out like this before?”
“It’s hardly a night out, lass. It’s to draw out the perpetrators.”
“True, but I trust you. You won’t let anyone hurt me.”
There’s no use hiding her from the Martins anymore. I’m going to make this woman mine, and the sooner we do that, the better.
“Of course I won’t.” I sigh. “Fine, then. You can go with Caira, but you do exactly what I say.”
“Yes,” she says, pulling away so she can get changed, but I grab her wrist and yank her over.