Page 90 of The Empire and the Wolf King

I picked up a chocolate and turned it around with my fingers watching it. “I hae been pondering my lot, spending, some might argue, too much time alone, and I could use the company, but… I ken I could just take a lover, but I rather think I would like, for once, tae feel someone is devoted.”

He nodded solemnly.

I said, “I ken tis a great deal tae ask that someone such as yerself might be ‘devoted’ tae me. Tis not something ye request, tis usually offered, but I was speaking tae Archibald and… he told me he was concerned about my wellbeing… He is young, why would it affect me how he thinks? What does he ken on anything? But also, twas dispiriting tae see that perhaps he pitied me.”

“I am certain he meant to be helpful.”

“Aye, but I still dinna like it, tis one thing tae be powerful and alone by choice, another tae be seen as lonely… but more than that, it changed my mind. Somewhere along the way I stopped choosing it, and instead I was at loneliness’s mercy.”

He placed his hand on mine. It reminded me of when Archibald had patted my hand.

I said, “I winna see that Auld Archibald again, likely, but as a request when he left, he asked, almost as if it were a final deathbed request, that I marry, forhim.Hae ye ever heard anything so ridiculous!”

I took a deep staggering breath.

“So I am asking if ye would marry me and if ye thought ye might become devoted tae me if ye tried and if we might hae an alliance of a kind?—”

“You are truly offering to… marry me, Mairead?”

I took a deep breath and looked away. “Would ye be willing tae sign a prenuptial contract? I hae of course done a thorough background check, but we would need tae sign something… especially as ye would be gaining a title.”

He gulped. “I would have a title?”

“Aye, ye would be a… duke, perhaps. Aye, a duke, the Duke of Stirling would fit.”

“Oh my, Mairead, I?—”

I said, “Ye canna hae an affair. Ye must be dutiful, and in exchange I will give ye wealth and power. But I warn ye, that if ye cross m’son and his family I will end ye.”

His eyes went wide. “Consider me warned…” He shook his head, then said, “I would live here in the castle?”

“Aye, I will need yer answer by the end of the day.”

He narrowed his eyes and said, “This is how you want it to go?”

“What do ye mean? I dinna plan it at all, it just came tae me so I daena ken how I want it tae go. Tis a business arrangement. Tis all it is.”

“Mairead, you just said that you wanted someone to be devoted! That is not a business arrangement.”

“Devotion is a great deal too much to ask, I am not that naive, Wilfrey.”

He shook his head again, sadly, watching my face. “Your grandson is right, you are a sad case, Mairead?—”

“You take that back, how dare ye? I will not be pitied!”

“Allow me to finish.”

I huffed and raised my chin. “Please forget that I asked ye. Tis not something we need tae mention again.”

“Mairead you are the most powerful woman in the world and your Grandson is correct, you should…”

I crossed my arms.

He reached out for my hand and pulled it toward him, then he put the champagne flute down.

“Tis fine, Wilfrey, twas a moment of weakness?—”

He got down on both knees in front of me.

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