Page 44 of The Laird's Vengeful Desire
The teasing tone hit closer to home than he had probably intended. It was behavior like this that made her doubt whetherhe still was her captor. What if all this kindness and attraction was just an elaborate form of manipulation designed to make her more compliant? To get her to agree to marrying him?
But if it is,‘tis the most convincing performance I’ve ever seen.
As she made her way back to her chambers, Rhona’s mind churned with conflicting thoughts and emotions. The physical attraction she felt for Ian was undeniable – the lesson had proven that beyond any doubt. But attraction was dangerous when it clouded judgment, and she could not afford to let her guard down.
Still, as she replayed the morning’s events, she found herself lingering on moments of true connection – his admiration for her teaching, her recognition of his leadership abilities, the easy banter that had developed between them despite their circumstances.
Maybe there’s more tae this than politics.Maybe he’s as confused about what’s happenin’ between us as I am.
The thought was both thrilling and terrifying. Because Rhona had a sneaky suspicion that she might – despite every reason not to – be falling for him. If that was true, then everything became infinitely more complicated.
And infinitely more dangerous for her carefully guarded heart.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“Iken ye dinnae want tae hear this, me laird, but time is runnin’ out.”
Ian’s jaw clenched as Fergus MacDougall’s words echoed through the solar, where his Council had gathered for their evening meeting. The older man’s weathered face was grave as he leaned forward across the massive oak desk, his gray beard catching the candlelight.
“We’ve received word,” Duncan MacLeod added, his thin fingers drumming nervously against the wood, “that Isolde MacAlpin is wed tae Laird Ciaran MacCraith.”
The news hit Ian like a fist to the gut. “When?”
“A month past, by all accounts,” Hamish Fraser replied, his scarred hands folded before him. “The alliance between MacAlpin and MacCraith is now sealed in blood and matrimony.”
Ian stared at the flames dancing in the massive fireplace, his mind racing through the implications. With MacCraith’s considerable power now backing the MacAlpin clan, Rhona’s value as a political prize had increased dramatically. But so had the danger of keeping her.
“Ye ken what this means,” Fergus said quietly. “MacCraith has resources we cannae match. Before the wedding, MacAlpin was financially crippled – nay real threat tae us even if they discovered the lass. But now… with MacCraith’s wealth and power behind them…” he shook his head grimly. “If they come lookin’ fer the lass…”
“Whenthey come lookin’,” Duncan corrected grimly. “And when they find her here, unmarried, after months of captivity…”
“They’ll use it as justification fer war,” Hamish finished. “A war we cannae win.”
Ian’s hands gripped the arms of his chair until his knuckles went white. “What would ye have me dae?”
“Marry her.” Fergus said without hesitation. “Before they get wind that she’s here. Make her Lady Wallace, and suddenly she’s nay longer a captive – she’s an ally who chose tae stay.”
“She’s already refused.” Ian said through gritted teeth.
“Then convince her otherwise,” Duncan urged. “Use whatever means necessary, me laird. Sweet words, pretty promises, if ye must. The clan’s survival depends on it.”
“I willnae force her.”
“Force?” Hamish leaned forward, his voice hard. “Me laird, with respect, she’s been our prisoner fer months. How much more forced can it be?”
The words stung because they held truth. Ian had been telling himself he was protecting Rhona, but the reality was far uglier. She was trapped there, dependent on his goodwill, with no real choices of her own.
“There has tae be another way,” Ian said, though even he could hear the doubt in his voice.
“There isnae,” Fergus replied bluntly. “Marry the lass, or watch our clan burn tae ash when MacCraith and MacAlpin come fer revenge. Those are yer choices.”
“And if she continues tae refuse?”
The three men exchanged glances, performing a silent communication that made Ian’s stomach turn uncomfortably.
“Then perhaps,” Duncan said carefully, “she needs tae understand the consequences of that refusal. Nae just fer herself,but fer everyone in this castle and fer everyone under her protection.”
“Ye’re talkin’ about threatenin’ her.”
