Page 54 of Scandalous Scot
Marian made no further comment until Màiri had taken off all but her shift. Lying in the bed, the pillows propped behind her, she finally began to breathe normally again.
“You do not have to tell me if you do not wish it.”
In fact, Màiri very much wished it. So she told Marian everything. The dinner, and some of what happened between them afterward.
“Do you know what Grey told me?”
The question was clearly rhetorical, but Màiri shook her head.
“In his time, there is no shame in pleasure between two consenting adults. He encourages me to tell him what I like, and whenever I become embarrassed, he encourages me to say the words. And they do come much easier now.”
Despite the pain in her head, Màiri felt a rush of excitement. “Ian and Father Abernethy have very different ideas about relations between a man and woman.”
Marian made a face. “Is this the same Father Abernethy that Alastair has complained of?”
Màiri laughed, feeling much better than she had before. “Aye. He and Alastair have never gotten on very well. In fact, few seem to treat well with the priest, with the exception of my father. After Mother passed away, he became even closer to God. I believe ’tis why he will not admit to his feelings for Alana.”
“Your maid?” Marian asked, incredulous.
“Aye. I believe they have loved each other for many years.”
“Perhaps her position in your household gives him pause?”
“Nay, I do not believe so. My father is not one to live by others’ rules in that way.”
“Hmmm.”
The women exchanged a glance, Màiri every bit aware of the one thing they had not talked about, the most important thing of all. Ian had made his position clear. He did not want a wife. And based on what Laird MacKinnish had said, he would be leaving very soon.
After a lifetime of stares, Màiri knew the expression Marian wore well. It was one of pity.
“I think I might rest,” she said, not very tired but wanting to be alone with her thoughts. She appreciated Marian’s support, but there was nothing her temporary sister-in-law could do about her current predicament.
She was falling in love with her husband.
He was almost disappointedwhen the creaking door didn’t wake her. Marian had said she was fine, but he’d needed to see for himself. The fact that she was sleeping in the middle of the day didn’t bode well for her health. Something was wrong. He tried to tell himself that maybe Màiri was overwhelmed with everything. Hell, he certainly was.
But then he noticed the color of her skin. And the fact that she’d started sweating. Something was off, and given what had happened to her mother, how she had died, Ian knew she was probably scared too.
Ian sat in the chair near her bed and stretched his legs out in front of him, watching her sleep.
As usual, she slept on the side of her birthmark. Màiri had gotten pretty good at hiding it. Had probably been doing so her whole life. Kind of like he’d hidden his distaste for the job he’d been bred for in the company. Sometimes it actually pissed him off that not one of his brothers suspected. They were his brothers, for Christ’s sake. Even his father had no clue.
But Mom . . .
She had known. Every time he thought of Rhys and Reik coming here, without her, Ian couldn’t help feeling angry at being the only one to not have been reunited with her. But with any luck, when his brothers arrived they could all go home and end this nightmare. And, if they were really lucky, hearing Mom’s voice might even help pull Dad back from the brink.
Ian really didn’t think it would happen, not when his father was this far gone, but it was a hell of a dream.
Màiri stirred, but didn’t wake up.
You could take her with you.
After he’d fucked up royally the night before, not once but multiple times, Ian could admit he felt something for her. A big something, in fact. More than he’d ever felt about a woman before. But he wasn’t like Grey and Rhys. Ian didn’t have his shit together.
He could move out, get his own place.
But being a husband was a hell of a lot more than owning a house. Money wasn’t the problem.Hewas the problem.
