Page 46 of To Serve a Laird
Iain said, with a touch of anger in his voice, “You are not ‘nobody,’ Claire. You are everything to me.”
“What about your betrothed?” Claire asked, for the first time, allowing a little hope to creep into her heart.
“The contracts between our clans have not been signed,” he told her. “Lady Morag is nothing to me, whereas you are my whole life.”
Then he did something that shocked Claire. He dropped down on one knee in the mud and begged, “Be my lady, Claire. Be my wife and make me the happiest man in the world… please.”
Claire could hardly believe what she was hearing. She gave a gasp of shock, then the meaning of what Iain had said sank in, and she gave him a wide, radiant smile.
“Yes, Iain,” she answered. “I will be your wife. I love you with all my heart.”
Iain’s lips descended on hers at once as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him, sealing their promise with a fierce, passionate kiss. So there, in the dark cold forest, both of them soaked to the skin, Claire found heaven once again. Although the kiss was hungry, it was full of love, and said more than words ever could have.
Iain drew away with extreme reluctance and said softly, “We must go back, Claire, before we both freeze. Come.”
He took her hand and led her over to Sable, who was standing waiting for them patiently, his coal-black coat streaming with rainwater.
Iain lifted Claire into the saddle, then mounted in front of her. “Put your arms around me,” he instructed. “I do not want you to fall off, Claire. I don’t want to lose you when I have just found you.”
Claire did as he told her, feeling the warmth, hardness, and solidity of Iain’s body infinitely reassuring. She sighed happily, knowing that in spite of the rain, the darkness, and the cold, she was exactly where she wanted to be, where she belonged, with the love of her life.
When they arrived at the castle, Iain gently lifted Claire out of the saddle as Agnes came rushing up to them.
“M’Laird… Claire,” she said anxiously as they stood dripping on the stone flags of the courtyard. “Thank God! I thought ye were both lost.”
She called for blankets to be brought, then beckoned Claire to come with her to her chamber, but as she took Claire by the elbow to lead her away, Iain stopped her.
“Claire is with me,” he said firmly. He put an arm around her. “Take her to my room and have a bath drawn for her.”
Agnes’s eyes widened in astonishment, but she nodded and took Claire’s arm to lead her away. However, before she could do so, Claire stood on tiptoe to plant a soft kiss on Iain’s cheek.
“I love you,” she murmured.
Iain smiled. “And I love you. I will see you soon. I have someone to see.”
He watched Claire walk away till she rounded a corner and passed out of his sight, sighing with relief that she was safe, then he marched over to one of the guards and pointed to Dougal.
“Take him downstairs,” he ordered sharply.
The guard looked at him, puzzled. “Tae the dungeons, M’Laird?” he asked.
“Aye.” Iain’s voice was firm as he glared at the man who had once been his friend but was now his sworn enemy.
When two guards grabbed him by the arms and dragged him away, Dougal yelled in protest and looked, wide-eyed in panic, at Iain.
“Iain! What do you think you are doing?” he asked as he struggled fruitlessly in the grip of men who were both twice as strong as he was.
“You had it coming, Dougal,” Iain answered, before turning and walking away, a satisfied smile on his face.
Dougal’s screams were fading away as he was hauled away, but Iain was no longer concerned. He had other things to worry about.
He called some of the guards to summon the Council members to meet him in his study. Having guards wake them would be terrifying, Iain knew, which was exactly what he intended.
There was a general outcry about being awakened so late at night, and a few snide remarks about Iain’s soakingly dishevelled state. However, Iain ignored the comments and announced firmly, “I am marrying Claire Tewsbury. There will be no more debate about the matter. I know you all think I’m an eejit, but it did not take me long to work out who sent Morag Cameron two days early.
You held a meeting without telling me. Well, from now on, I am not answerable to any of you. I am marrying the woman I love, and that is that.” He thumped his fist on the desk to emphasise his point. “You will all leave now, or I will have the guards assist you.”
He sighed and passed a hand over his eyes, then poured himself a glass of whisky, which he downed in one gulp. He contemplated pouring another one, but decided against it. He was going to need a clear head for what he was about to do next.
