Evan began moving, kenning he was not going to last long. Not with this woman under him, having already seen her pleasure and wanting her for so long.
His movements grew quicker as Katie began to move with him. She hooked her leg over his and picked up his rhythm.
“Ach. I’m afraid I’m not going to last long.” The words were barely out of his mouth when he surged forward and spilled his seed into her, pulling her close. “Tha thu agam a-nis.” Ye are mine now.
Chapter Nineteen
“I shall find a priest when we return to the castle.”
Katie looked over at Evan where he lay nestled against her. It was early morning, and they’d spent the night wrapped in each other’s warmth, their naked bodies keeping the cold and dampness away.
She was not a stupid woman, and she knew why he said what he did, but before she commented on what his statement meant, she needed to clarify. “Why?”
He looked down at her and brushed an errant curl from her cheek. “To marry.”
“Ah.” Katie disentanged herself from his body, sat up, and leaned against the wall behind the mattress, bringing the worn blanket with her to cover her breasts. “I guess ye think it’s the gentlemanly thing to do.”
“Aye.” He studied her for a minute and then shifted onto his side, resting his head on his propped-up hand. “Ye seem a bit…I dinnae ken, surprised? Or unhappy?”
Katie shook her head and tucked the strands of hair covering her eyes behind her ear. She wanted a clear view of his face when they had this conversation. Of course, being a gentleman, Evan would offer marriage, but the complications from such an arrangement were many. “I’m not so sure that’s the wisest thing to do.”
His reaction was swift and direct. He sat up and gripped her arms, positioning her so they were face-to-face. “’Tis the only thing to do. When ye gave yerself to me, ’twas with the understanding that I would not take yer virginity and then abandon ye with the consequences.”
“Is that so? I dinnae remember having that conversation.”
While she appreciated his concern for her reputation, she didn’t want to be someone’s life-long sacrifice for one night of pleasure. “Can I ask ye a question?”
He gave her a curt nod.
“If we hadn’t done…this”—she waved her hand between them—“would ye be offering marriage?”
Evan dropped his hands and sat back against the wall, his eyes closed. Just about the time she was ready to hop up and dress, kenning the answer would have been nay, he spoke.
“Aye.” He opened one eye and looked at her. “Aye.” His grin grew as he studied her. “’Tis something I’ve been wrestling with for days, lass.”
She didn’t want to call the man a liar to his face, but truth be known, she had a hard time believing, with all the contention between them, that he honestly wished to marry her.
“Yer looking like ye think I’m not being truthful. I desire ye, lass. I have almost from the first time I came upon ye and that broken-down wagon on the road. Aside from that, ye are easy to look at, smart, caring, and kind. Ye are loyal to yer clansmen and are a goodly mother to yer brother—although much too protective of the lad.”
She opened her mouth at his last comment, but he held up his hand. “Aside from yer stubbornness and unrelenting need to run everything, I think ye would make a fine wife.”
Katie huffed and tugged on the blanket. Enough of the blanket fell from Evan that the evidence of his desire waved in the morning light.
Her eyes grew wide.
He grinned.
She blushed.
He reached out to tug her toward him.
She pulled back.
“We have things to discuss.” Katie raised her chin and flipped the blanket back over Evan’s lap.
He sighed. “What’s to discuss, lass? We will leave here shortly. When we arrive at the castle, I will send for a priest, and it will be done.”
“’Twill not be done. I see no reason to rush into marriage simply because we lost our heads.”
He gave her the crooked smile that made her stomach dance a tune. “Aye, but if we do, then we can do this as much as we like.”
Katie blew out a frustrated breath. “Can ye think of nothing else?”
He tapped his chin with his fingertip and looked toward the ceiling. After a full minute, he said, “Nay. I tried verra hard to think of anything else but couldn’t.”
“Ach! Yer such an oaf.” Katie whipped the blanket off them both, stood up, and, with as much modesty as possible—which truly wasn’t much at all—she found her clothes and dressed.
Apparently, it finally sank in that she wasn’t about to dally any longer, so Evan climbed to his feet and dressed, grumbling the entire time, bringing a smile to Katie’s mouth.
Once Evan had laced up the back of her frock, she walked to the small window and looked out. “’Tis a beautiful day out there.”
His only answer was a grunt.
Once they were mounted on their horses, Evan turned to her. “I will be sending for the priest. Whatever problems ye think we will have can be discussed later.” Without giving her a chance to respond, he kicked the sides of his horse and he was off.
The ride back gave her time to consider her feelings about the man. He was certainly a handsome man, and even though her experience with the marriage bed had been nil before last night, she knew in her heart that Evan was a considerate lover.
He was a strong leader and decisive problem solver, and the way he took to Gavin—even though he thought the lad too meek—showed his willingness to care for those who were vulnerable. It also told her he would be a good da to any children they would have.
So why am I reluctant?
’Twas really simple. She wasn’t quite sure—despite his words—that he would have considered making her his wife if last night had not happened. When all was settled at MacDuff, wouldn’t he have happily wished her well and ridden off with his brother to never see her again, with the only communication between them being monthly reports from land steward to laird?
As she wrestled with the problem, she could not discount that she did not want to give up her independence. She’d been the one in control for years, but there was no doubt in her mind that Evan was very much The Laird and expected obedience from everyone. Which would include his wife.
They rode up over the hill, and the castle came into view, rising from the greenery like a fairy tale from one of her childhood books. The sun emerging behind it cast the front of the building in shadows, yet with enough light to see a man ride up and dismount from his horse.
Something about him looked familiar, and she almost dismissed him as one of her clansmen who had been out and about already when a knot settled in her stomach. She shook her head furiously. “Oh nay.”
Evan turned to her. “What is it, lass?”
They slowed their horses as they reached the stable, and Katie confirmed her fear. “It appears Richard Armstrong has arrived to claim his bride.”
…
Evan climbed from his horse and tossed the reins to MacDuff, his eyes never leaving the man standing at the front door of the castle. So the despicable mon had found his way to Fife? Evan took Katie’s arm as they walked from the stable. “Dinnae say anything. I am yer laird. I will speak for ye.”
Katie gaped at him, apparently not happy with his edict. ’Twas no matter. She needed to learn that he handled all problems. “Can I help ye? Are ye lost?” Evan strode up to Armstrong, dragging Katie along, never letting go of her arm.
“Katie!” Armstrong smiled a bright—albeit fake—smile. He stepped forward, his arms extended. “’Tis so verra good to see ye. I had hoped ye would speak with me before ye did something this foolish, but luckily I learned where ye were headed and have come to save ye.” He continued to smile until Evan wanted to smack the ridicu
lous look off the mon’s face.
Richard Armstrong was a nice-looking mon, and if no one knew of his propensity for young lads, his demeanor and looks would fool many. He seemed pleasant and good natured. His dark-auburn hair was tied behind his head, a plaid tam covering most of his head. His blue eyes were the color of the lochs. His chin, however, was not strong, and his middle was soft. The mon did not spend a great deal of time doing physical work.
“I am Laird Evan MacNeil; how can I help ye?” Evan did not hold out his hand but stood straight, towering over their visitor, his arm flung carelessly over Katie’s shoulders, a confident sign of possession.
Armstrong looked confusedly back and forth between him and Katie. “Katie? Who is this man?”
Evan squeezed her arm to remind her to stay quiet. “The lady is Mistress Stirling to ye, and I believe I just introduced myself. Now perhaps ye can offer me the same courtesy and announce yerself.”
The mon tried his best to look confident but missed the mark. “I am Lord Armstrong.” He bowed slightly. “This woman”—he waved in Katie’s direction—“is my betrothed.”
Evan waited for a moment, then spread his feet apart and let go of Katie to cross his arms over his chest. “Ye dinnae say?”
“Aye.” Armstrong raised his chin and straightened his shoulders.
Evan turned to Katie and pointed his thumb at the mon. “Is this true, mistress? Is Lord Armstrong yer betrothed?”
She shook her head vigorously. “Nay.”
Turning back to Lord Armstrong, Evan said, “It seems there is a misunderstanding here, my good mon. I suggest ye be on yer way. We have much to attend to today.” He took Katie’s arm and stepped forward.
The baron put his hand on Evan’s chest to stop him. Evan looked down at the man’s hand, then up at his face. Something in his expression must have frightened Richard, because he dropped his hand and stepped back. “I would have a word with Mistress Stirling, if you please. In private.”
Evan regarded him for a minute, long enough for the man to begin to shift his feet and offer a nervous cough. Evan sighed as if this was a mere annoyance in his busy day. “Nay. I dinnae think so. Ye see, my betrothed and I are about to make arrangements for our wedding.”
“You—” He gaped at Katie. “’Tis not possible for this man to be your betrothed. You are betrothed to me.” He fumbled in his pocket and withdrew a paper that he waved in her face. “Right here. Your father and I made arrangements for you to marry me.”
Despite his warning for Katie not to speak, she pulled her arm from Evan’s side and tugged the paper from Armstrong’s hand and shook it. “My da never signed this paper.”
“’Tis his signature,” Richard said.
“It looks like his signature, but ’tis not. He would never do such a thing and not tell me.”
Evan took the paper from Katie’s hand, folded it, and handed it back to Armstrong. “The lady says she is not betrothed to ye. She and I are betrothed, and this morning—with her permission—as soon as I can locate a priest, we will be making arrangements.”
Armstrong’s face grew bright red, and the vein in his neck throbbed. “And why would you be looking for a priest this morning? And where were you that you’re returning together with the sun barely up and ye both looking like you just rolled out of bed? Together.”
Evan leaned forward. “’Tis none of yer business. The lady is marrying me, and ye have no rightful claim on her. I suggest yet get back on yer horse”—Evan flicked his fingers at the animal standing a few feet from them—“and hie off to Stirling.” With those words, he took Katie’s arm and marched her to the front door.
“I will not allow ye to steal my betrothed! I will take this paper to the magistrate.” Armstrong’s last few words were barely heard as Evan closed the door on the man’s ranting.
Katie turned the minute the door closed. “What will we do?”
Evan shrugged. “Find a priest. Get married. Spend some time consummating the marriage. A day or two will be enough.” He grinned. “For now.”
Katie swung and punched him in the arm. “I’ll not be wedding ye until we get a few things settled.” She pointed to the entrance. “And one of them stands on the other side of that door.”
Evan turned and walked toward the Great Hall.
“Where are ye going?”
“Breakfast. I always think better on a full stomach.” He strode across the hall with Katie dodging his footsteps.
“Do ye think Richard will leave?”
“Nay.”
“What will we do?”
Evan settled in on the long bench at the table and waved at the young girl passing through. “We’ll have breakfast now, lass.”
“Aye, my laird.” She bowed and hurried from the hall.
“Ye didn’t answer my question.” Katie climbed in alongside him, her brows furrowed and her lovely pink tongue licking her plump lips. “’Tis one reason I’m not in favor of this marriage. Ye take too much for granted. Ye just assume I will fall in with yer plans like some sniveling young girl. There is no reason we have to marry since no one kens what happened. And I’ve been my own boss for years now. I dinnae intend to become a—”
He did what any man would have done in his position. He pulled her close, wrapped his arm around her, and covered her mouth with this. He cupped her chin as she attempted to pull away, but he held tight, and eventually she melted against him.
He nudged her lips with his tongue, and she moaned softly, leaving him to consider if he should skip breakfast and rustle up a priest.
“Unhand that woman!”
Evan gently eased himself from Katie’s warmth and gazed at the man standing at the entrance to the Great Hall, his hands on his hips and fire in his eyes. Evan leaned his forehead against Katie’s and sighed. “Excuse me, lass, I must attend to this annoyance.”
He climbed from the bench, walked toward Armstrong, and planted his fists on his hips. “Now, then, lad. How many times do I need to tell ye to leave?”
Chapter Twenty
Katie held her breath as Evan walked up to Richard, demanding he leave. Although Richard had always seemed large and intimidating to her, Evan towered over him.
She had still not recovered from the shock of seeing him standing on the doorstep. Although in the back of her mind she’d known there was a strong possibility of that happening—given his obsession with Gavin—she’d hoped it would not.
“I will not leave without my betrothed.” Richard’s voice was shaky, and he backed up a few steps.
“Mistress Stirling is not yer betrothed. She knew nothing of the document yer waving about, and since her da is deceased, and therefore unable to confirm its legitimacy, yer left with no proof.” Evan leaned in farther, causing Richard to take a few steps back. “Furthermore, I’m ordering ye off my property. Ye are not welcome, and I dinnae want to see ye here again.”
“I can go to the local magistrate.”
“And do what? Cry and complain that the lass doesn’t want anything to do with ye? Have ye no pride, mon?”
Richard’s face grew pale as new milk, then red as strawberries. He waved his fist at Evan. “She won’t get away with this.”
Before Evan could react, the man turned on his heel and left the hall, the door to the outside slamming behind him.
“Do ye think he can do something by going to the magistrate?” Katie took a sip of the tea a young serving girl had placed before her.
Evan waved his hand in dismissal. “Nay. Even if he has the boldness to do such a thing, there isnnae anything the magistrate can do for him.” He picked up the platter of eggs, bacon, sausage, and beans and filled his plate. “And if the magistrate is half-witted enough to take up his cause, we will be married before he can do anything.”
“Oh aye. That is something I want to discuss.”
Ev
an grunted and dove into his breakfast.
Katie put her fork down and placed her hands in her lap. “I am serious. There are many issues that need to be addressed before we talk about marriage.”
Evan swallowed a sip of coffee and wiped his mouth. “We are not talking about marriage, lass. We are locating a mon of the cloth and getting married. Today. As soon as I finish my breakfast.”
Katie jumped from her seat. “Nay!” Before he could say anything else, Katie tossed her napkin onto the table and hurried from the room.
“Katie!”
She ignored Evan’s summons and raced up the stairs to her bedchamber. The dolt man could holler all he wanted, but she would not stop to listen. In fact, she’d done nothing but listen since they’d woken up wrapped in each other’s arms.
Thinking about it and what they’d done the night before brought a heated flush to her body. Whatever had she been thinking? Nothing, that’s what. She hadn’t been thinking at all. Evan’s kisses and caresses had pushed all common sense and rational thought from her mind. And now he was demanding marriage without even asking her in a proper manner. So typical of the man, to just order her about. Well, she might be his employee, but she would not be ordered about in anything else.
He was so busy telling her he would marry her, he hadn’t even asked her if she wished to marry him. Didn’t the muttonhead ken a woman wanted her proposal of marriage to be romantic? Or at least more than “We’ll find a mon of the cloth and get married. Now let’s eat.”
She was horrified to find tears standing on the edge of her eyelids. Was it too much for a woman to want her first, and probably only, marriage proposal to be more than that?
She sighed, collapsed on the bed, and yawned. What she really needed was a few more hours of sleep. She closed her eyes, but a pounding on her door loud enough to rouse the entire castle jolted her up. “Who is it?”
The door opened and Evan stepped in. He shut the door behind him and leaned against it. “I apologize, lass. I think I was a wee bit harsh with ye just now.”
A Scot to Wed (Scottish Hearts) Page 14