Page 54 of The Groom Wore Plaid
“Sometimes. I mostly prefer discussing them with you.”
Then he was studying her again, his shadowed expression intent. And she was remembering him naked . . .
Quickly, she said, “Don’t be thinking your heroics or your flattery will make me forget the promises ye made today. Ye’re going to show me the contract.”
His half-lidded gaze slid slowly down her body, reminding her of the physical promises he’d made, too. She felt flushed, her skin overly sensitive to the soft linen of her nightshift against her unbound breasts.
“You have a quick mind, Maggie, not one to forget. I had my secretary find the document for you. Wait a moment.”
When he was gone, she let out her breath in a rush and wiped perspiration from her forehead. It was not hot in the drafty stone castle, but she was feeling that way. After the pleasure he’d given her that afternoon, she would never feel comfortable being alone with him again.
Or had he hoped that the physical experience would make her forget wanting to read the contract?
He returned with a sheaf of papers and handed them to her. “How is your ankle tonight?”
Before she could escape his nearness, he caressed her arm, from shoulder to elbow, and she stepped away before he could go any further.
“Better,” she said distractedly. “I barely limp.”
And then she lowered her head and began to read the contract, trying to ignore him but, as usual, finding it difficult. While drinking his wine, he watched her closely, and it was awkward enough reading such formal language without his unnerving stare. She was relieved that her work deciphering the law book helped her understand most of it.
But neither her name nor his was written there, and she pointed that out.
“The amended contract is with your brother,” Owen said.
“Ye don’t have our betrothal in writing?” she demanded. “Our actual names? Ye ken what that means.”
He frowned. “And what does that mean?”
“Ye don’t have to marryme,” she said. “You and Hugh can amend the contract any time ye like, apparently.”
“You have other sisters you want me to consider?” he asked with sarcasm.
“Nay, but I have several cousins who would be perfect for ye. I’ll send for them.” She should feel relieved, glad that at last she’d found a way to escape the marriage contract and Owen’s risk of death, while still keeping the peace between their clans. But the thought of watching him flirt with other women made her relief strangely hollow.
He studied her as if she was a specimen he was examining. “Maggie, is there something you need to tell me about your dowry?”
Puzzled, she said, “I don’t understand.”
“Is there a simpler reason you need to avoid marriage? Did you discover that your father didn’t leave you the promised dowry? Or did your people need it more than you felt you did?”
“This has nothing to do with my dowry!” she snapped. “I’ve been honest with ye, Owen, and I don’t appreciate ye trying to find different reasons to explain my resistance to marriage.”
“Let me be honest withyou.I don’t care about your dowry, whatever it is.Youare enough for me to have in this marriage.”
She opened her mouth, but for a moment, could find nothing to say. It would be the dream of every youngwoman for her husband to want her just for herself. But he didn’t. “Let’s not forget our whisky land, Owen. Your clan has already begun to make a name for itself with our precious resources.”
He leaned closer. “And let’s not forget that your brother’s forfeiture of marriage to my sister would have taken that land away from the McCallums permanently. I didn’t need to marry you at all.”
“And now I’m supposed to be grateful for your pity?”
“It wasn’t pity!” he said with obvious frustration.
“Good. I prefer a practical decision taking into consideration the future of both our clans. Which is why Dorothy or Helen will do just as well for your wife.”
He set down his wine goblet with deliberation. “Go ondreaming, Maggie. I’ll see you in the morning.”
She flinched at his choice of words. “That’s ugly of ye, Owen. After all, I’m trying to save your life, regardless of how ungrateful ye are.”
