Page 103 of Captured By the Cruel Highlander
“Because I am one of yerpeople?” she asked skeptically.
“Because ye are one half of a whole.”
She inhaled sharply at that, and he stepped a little closer, mindful of their audience but unable to be away from her a moment longer.
“I cannae trust ye,” she said wearily. “Ye may feel like this today and change yer mind tomorrow. What if I were to get back to the castle and call a council meetin’ without yer permission? What if I were to take clan matters into me own hands?”
“Would ye keep things from me? Would ye nae tell me what ye wanted to do?”
“Nay.”
“Well then, I wouldnae care.”
“Ye have just decided this?”
“I have had me eyes opened, lass. There’s a difference. Ye cannae blame a man for bein’ ignorant of the benefits of a wife when he’s only had a false one.” Her jaw clenched tightly, and he smiled, brushing his thumb against it. “I am askin’ for that to change, do ye nae see?”
“I cannae just be a wife in name. I cannae just stand to the side and watch ye control everythin’.”
“Well, good, because the woman I love doesnae stand to the side of anythin’.”
Her eyes widened then, and she looked up at him in disbelief. He placed his hands on her waist.
“Say ye’ll come home with me. Freya will never forgive me if I dinnae return with ye.”
“Och, so ye are bringin’ me back because of yer sister?” Despite her sharp tone, amusement laced her voice.
“Of course. Do ye ken how many books are in that library? It’ll take her years to sort them without some help.”
Emily laughed, and Adam pulled her against his body, groaning low in his throat as she leaned away from him.
“Tell me ye will come back with me.”
She sighed, closing her eyes as his heart swelled in his chest.
“Alright,” she said finally, and he lifted her into his arms and kissed her.
It was a wild, reckless kiss, showing her all the passion, need, and desire he had held deep inside him for so long. Her arms went around his neck, and he laughed happily as she wriggled to be put down.
Someone cleared their throat, and Adam quickly put her down with a bump. She hit him lightly on the arm as he turned to her father, who was standing before them. He bowed low, and when he straightened up, the older man was watching his daughter with some confusion.
“I had thought that ye hated this man for takin’ ye with him, but it seems that I was mistaken.”
Emily stepped in front of Adam, as though protecting him, and reached her hand out to her father. The old man took it tenderly.
“He is a good man, Da, and he has cared for me these last few weeks. I care about him, too. He has saved me life, and yers, from James Stewart.”
“Aye, so he has.” Laird Wilkinson looked up at Adam with a shrewd look and gave a single nod. “Ye had better take care of me wee lassie, ye hear me?”
“I will, Sir. I swear it. There is nothin’ I want more than for her to come back with me and be the Lady of me castle. Ye and yer son are welcome to visit us any time. The Wilkinsons will always be friends of the MacNialls. Ye have me word.”
Adam knew that the two clans being allied would guarantee peace for their people. It was a benefit of being with the woman he loved.
Laird Wilkinson took his daughter’s hands in his and smiled at them both. “I ken ye cannae stay with us now, and I am glad of it. Me children must carve their own paths, and I can see ye have begun to do just that. I will lend ye the carriage for the journey back to yer new home.”
“Thank ye, Sir, but I brought me own carriage,” Adam said awkwardly.
Emily looked back at him. “Were ye so sure I’d say yes?” she asked, but there was a teasing glint in her eyes now, and he was thrilled to see it.
