Page 5 of The Icy Highlander's Bride
Though Alexander's face grew red at the accusation, Lana knew there was at least some truth to these words.
Lately, her brother had started talking about her marrying more frequently, despite her protests. And when Laird Cullen had come to speak to her, she knew it could only be for one reason.
"What I do with me family is nay concern of yers, Laird MacCrawford. I am sorry that me sister got ye involved. She shouldnae have lied and caused a scene."
Lana wanted to protest. She hated it when her brother spoke for her, making her feel young and unimportant. Instead of praising her for her quick and smart decision, Alexander was belittling her, making her look like some silly girl playing a game in front of this man.
She opened her mouth to defend herself, but suddenly the man, Laird MacCrawford, spoke up.
"She dinnae lie," he stated, rising to his full height, so he stood a full head taller than Alexander. "She's me betrothed."
Lana was speechless. Had she heard the man correctly? She glanced at her brother and saw the same shocked look on his face. She looked at the tall man to see if he was joking with her. Perhaps this was a prank he was pulling on her after she dragged him into this situation. But his face was impassive, his mouth a straight, firm line.
"What was that?" Alexander asked.
He looked between Lana and Laird MacCrawford, clearly wondering how such a thing could have occurred. He would be thinking about recent parties or dinners he had hosted, wondering if the two of them had crossed paths before this night.
"I said she is me betrothed," Laird MacCrawford repeated. This time he looked over at Lana, as if checking to see how she took his statement. "I ken I havenae spoken to ye yet, Laird Gunn. But perhaps once the ceilidh is concluded, we can discuss the details."
Lana watched her brother's face, feeling certain he would call Laird MacCrawford's bluff at any moment. She expected him to protest or to say this could not happen. After all, when she had pretended to be betrothed to Laird MacCrawford, she had never expected she would walk away with a fiancé.
But instead of suspicion, there was a calculating look on Alexander's face. All at once, she realized he was going to say yes.
"Alex, can ye give us some privacy?" Lana asked. She heard the desperation in her voice, a tinge of panic that she couldn't hold inside.
Alexander was still thinking through this situation, and he simply nodded, raising his eyebrows before he strolled away from them.
As soon as they were alone, Lana looked up at the man, desperate for an explanation, but he simply looked down at her, his lips curled in a slight smile.
"I thank ye for helping me," she murmured, blushing as she looked down at her feet. "But ye daenae have to keep lying for me."
"I daenae lie," Laird MacCrawford answered evenly. "Ye're mine now."
3
It was a delight to see how surprised she was. Daniel felt a thrill to realize he could still bring a blush to a woman's cheeks.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Lana asked.
Daniel liked that she looked up at him when she spoke, her eyes full of curiosity and eagerness that made him feel alive. Too many women stared at their feet and cowered in his presence. He had forgotten how good it felt to flirt with a woman who was not so afraid of him.
"Ye did promise me anythin' I want, did ye nae?"
"What?" she sputtered, her voice barely above a whisper.
"When ye asked me to lie for ye, ye said ye would give me anythin' I want."
"Aye. Money, or a horse," Lana offered. "Some jewel me brother can buy and send to ye."
"I daenae need horses or jewels," Daniel said, shaking his head. "I daenae want any of those things."
"But ye want a fake betrothal?"
"Nay," Daniel replied. He couldn't tell if her shoulders slumped in relief or disappointment. "I want a real one. We're getting married, lass."
Lana blinked at him, taking in his words. He watched her chest heave as her breaths came faster, unable to keep himself from noting the beautiful swell of her breasts as they pressed against the neckline of her dress.
She looked utterly shocked by his declaration. Lana turned to the refreshments table nearby, lifted a glass of ale and downed it, before she turned back to him.
