Page 60 of The Winter Laird

Nioclas ledher into the bedchamber. “I thought you should know of my plans to leave after we dine tonight.”

Brianagh, lovely in her MacWilliam colors and flushed from the exertion of him hurrying her to his bedchamber, nodded. “Thank you.”

He smiled then, a true smile, and he gestured to his bed. “I’ve added coverlets to my bed.”

She glanced at them and nodded, obviously confused as to why he felt the need to drag her to his bedchamber to display new coverlets.

“I thought, while I was away, that you might keep up the appearance that we’re sharing a room, so I ordered extra in case you were cold.”

For days, they had left the door between them unlocked and Nioclas had ensured he opened it before any servants came into stoke the fire in his hearth in the mornings. He’d heard his men discussing how their laird wore out the lady of the castle every night, that as she wished for some sleep, she insisted she take to her own bed after their “nightly activities.”

His garrison, he came to realize, gossiped more than the elderly women in the village.

But instead of correcting them, he instead was pleased that they believed he and Brianagh were married in truth.

Looking at her now, as she watched him with a hint of a smile playing about her full mouth, he felt his chest tighten.

I could love this woman.

Dangerous, that. But he was never one to deny a truth once it presented itself.

She was certainly the most clever woman he knew and perhaps ever met. She was adapting to the Irish way of life with a speed he never expected, and the loyalty his clansmen offered her was becoming more about who she was rather than her position in his life.

If he could convince her to want to stay, he could envision a future with her. Children, perhaps. Though what he told her was true, he was more powerful than his wastrel of a sire. He could keep his wife safe, and she would never find herself alone with a child, ever. She would have the strongest of his men always protecting her.

She would have him always protecting her.

And at the moment, she looked as though she might be growing fond of him.

“I hope you’ll do me the honor of staying?”

“Staying?”

He wondered if she understood he was asking her to stay longer… He wanted her for forever.

Slowly, Nioclas. Woo her slowly.

“Aye. Your chamber is not as warm as mine, and the bed is plenty large enough,” he replied.

She looked around the room, taking in the large bed and canopy, the cheery fire, and the scarce furnishings.

“May I…freshen it up?” she asked hesitantly.

Nioclas reigned in his enthusiasm. He folded his arms and leaned back. “Freshen it up?”

“You know, add a small table and chair where Iona can style my hair in the mornings. Maybe bring that screen thing in.”

“The privacy screen?” Nioclas repeated. “You would use it?”

She shrugged. “We value our privacy in America…”

“Done,” he agreed immediately. “And you may make whatever other changes you feel are necessary.”

She gave him a small smile. “Thank you.”

“Perhaps a token of your gratitude?” he wondered, presenting his cheek. After a slight hesitation, she quickly pressed her lips against it.

He smiled at her. “That wasn’t so terrible, was it?”

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