Page 16 of The Icy Highlander's Bride
She saw how surprised he was, and the twitching of his lips that told her she had guessed correctly. Daniel was a man who enjoyed a healthy dose of competition. He would not turn down any challenge that was presented to him.
Taking advantage of the upper hand, Lana strolled to the table and took a seat. She let her eyes slide from Daniel to the chair next to her, a silent invitation.
"Rules," Daniel said.
He gave her a sly smile as he pulled the chair out and took a seat next to her. She didn't miss the way he shifted the chair closer, so his knee was dangerously close to brushing against hers.
"Very well." He rested his elbow on the table, so he could hold up his fingers as he spoke. "One, ye arenae to bother me. Ye willnae talk to me or seek me out. Nae unless ye or someone ye are with are in danger."
Lana knew he was testing her, finding every opportunity to strip their impending union of every fantasy of love she had. But she wouldn't show sadness. She had started this game, and she was determined to face off against him. He may be nearly twice her size, but she knew she could outsmart him if she set her mind to it.
"Two," he continued, raising a second finger in the air. He seemed surprised that she had not protested his first rule, and she was proud she had held her tongue. "Ye are free to do whatever ye want."
"Aye, Me Laird." Lana nodded. "That is one of me rules as well."
"Ye dinnae let me finish," he cut in. "Ye are free to do whatever ye wantprovidedye daenae do anything rash. I willnae allow ye to put yerself in harm's way."
Lana raised her eyebrows as she folded her hands in front of her on the table, the picture of civility.
"I see. So nay dangerous swordfights or reckless battles with feuding clans?" she asked, holding back a smirk. "Do these rules apply to both of us, Me Laird?"
She had gotten to him. There was a spark of anger in his eye, giving her a hint she had struck a nerve. She knew it was dangerous to call her future husband reckless, but it felt good to show him that she knew a bit more about him than he might expect.
Lana silently thanked Ciara for the details she had given her last night.
"Three," Daniel boomed, ignoring her insult. "Ye will treat me daughter as if she's yer own. Ye will help to raise her as a respectable lady, but ye willnae spoil her too much."
"Yer what?" Lana exclaimed. The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.
All hope of staying calm was quickly dashed as she felt her world turn on its head. Just as she was getting used to the idea of being someone's wife, she was told she would be a mother.
"Ye dinnae think to tell me ye have adaughter?"
"Irrelevant," Daniel said, confused by her shock. "That has nothing to do with our arrangement."
"I agreed to be yerwife," Lana clarified. "Ye dinnae mention I would be amaither."
"I dinnae speak of maithering," he said, shaking his head. How had the girl gotten such an idea into her head? "I only need ye to train the girl. Bring her up as ye were. Make sure she can make a respectable wife someday."
"It isnae so simple!" Lana cried.
But Daniel wouldn't hear her protestations. If a nanny could care for Skye, surely Lana could handle her without much effort.
"I daenae understand the problem. Do ye dislike bairns?"
He watched Lana's mouth drop open in surprise. Each thing he said seemed to bring more outrage to the woman next to him.
"I love bairns!" she cried, which only confused him more.
Of all the rules he laid out for Lana, Daniel had not thought this point would be the most difficult for her. For someone whobelieved so much in love, shouldn't she be excited to spend time with a child?
"Then I daenae see the problem," he said carefully, hoping not to upset her further.
"I dinnae expect to have a bairn so quickly," she explained. "I thought I would have time. If I ever had me own, I would have some months to get used to the idea."
"Is that what worries ye?" Daniel asked, finally thinking he understood. "Daenae worry, lass, we will have bairns of our own. I still need an heir after all."
He watched her cheeks flush scarlet at his words. It was almost humorous how the very mention of making children could shock her in this way. He wondered if Lana had dreamed of him in the same way he had fantasized about her. He couldn't stop imagining what it would be like to run his hands over her curves or taste her pouty lips.
