Page 84 of The Laird's Vengeful Desire
Rhona reached out without thinking, placing her hand on his where it rested on the stone between them. “Ian, that daesnae make ye weak. It makes ye a good leader.”
“Daes it?” Ian’s eyes searched her face desperately. “Or does it make me a fool who’s forgotten where he came from?”
“It makes ye a man who can open his mind and look at things with new eyes.” Rhona said firmly. “Yer grandfaither would be proud of ye fer that.”
“Would he? When the very people I’m protectin’ are the ones who turned him away?”
“He’d be proud because ye’re daein’ what’s right, nae what’s easy.” Rhona’s voice grew passionate. “That’s true strength, Ian. True honor.”
For a moment, Ian allowed himself to believe her words, to feel the weight of her support like a balm on his wounded soul. But reality crashed back in with crushing force.
“It daesnae matter what me grandfaither would think,” he said bitterly. “None of it matters when me Council’s breathin’ down me neck, demandin’ solutions I cannae give them.”
Rhona’s hand tightened on his. “What sort of solutions?”
Ian sighed, the sound heavy with exhaustion and something that sounded like defeat. “They want us married as soon as possible.” He said simply. “And now there’s another complication – we’ve received a letter from the king this mornin’. Someone’s been spinnin’ tales in His Majesty’s ear about ye… fillin’ his head with accusations about yer… situation here.”
Rhona’s face went pale. “The king?”
“Aye. He’s comin’ tae Castle Wallace within the fortnight tae investigate and retrieve ye.” Ian’s voice was heavy with the weight of the news. “So now ‘tis nae just about preventin’ war with yer father – ‘tis about convincin’ the king that ye havenae been… compromised durin’ yer time here.”
“And marriage would solve that?”
“It would legitimize yer presence. Make ye me wife rather than a captive.” Ian met her gaze steadily. “But only if ye can convince His Majesty that ye chose it willingly.”
“And what happens if I refuse?”
“Then we’ll face whatever consequences come from it,” Ian said quietly. “But the danger we’re facin’ is more real than ever, Rhona.”
“So ye want me tae marry ye tae spare ye and yer clan from the king’s wrath?” her words came out surprisingly flat and neutral.
“I want…” Ian stopped, frustration flickering across his features. “I dinnae ken what I want anymore, Rhona. Every solution I can think of requires ye tae sacrifice somethin’ precious.”
“And what would ye be sacrificin’?” Rhona asked quietly.
“Me honor. Me principles. The promise I made tae never be a man who uses people fer political gain.”
“So… marryin’ me… that would be usin’ me fer political gain?”
“Wouldn’t it?” Ian’s voice was heavy with self-loathing. “Ye’re here against yer will. Ye have nay real choice in the matter. If I marry ye now, how is that any different from what Douglas would have done?”
Rhona stared at him. “Is that truly how ye see it?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “As somethin’ ye’d be forced tae dae?”
“I see it as the only way tae keep everyone safe,” Ian said bluntly. “Includin’ ye.”
“But nae somethin’ ye’d want… nae if ye had a real choice?”
Ian turned to look at her then, and the expression in her eyes made his heart stop. There was pain there, and longing, and something that almost looked like self-doubt.
Tell her the truth, ye fool!Tell her that ye think about her every wakin’ moment and that the thought of losin’ her makes ye feel like ye’re drownin’.
“If I had any real choice,” he said slowly. “I’d court ye properly. I’d earn yer affection instead of demandin’ it. I’d give ye ampletime tae see past our clans’ history. I’d…” he stopped, shaking his head. “But I dinnae have that luxury. None of us dae.”
“So ye’d only be marryin’ me out of duty. Naethin’ else.” Rhona’s voice was carefully controlled, but Ian could hear the hurt underneath.
“I’d marry ye because I’d rather live with the guilt of forcin’ ye than with the knowledge that I could have saved ye and chose nae tae.”
“How noble of ye!” Rhona said, her voice bitter. “The great laird, sacrificin’ his honor tae save the poor, helpless lass.”
