Page 145 of The Highlander's Christmas Bride

His smile was lopsided. “Believe me, I understand. This wasn’t anything I was looking for or expected to find, either.”

“Laddie, yer supposed to be wooin’ the lass,” Angus said, “not scarin’ her off.”

Alasdair snorted. “Excellent point.”

Logan scowled at them. “We could do without the bloody audience.”

Donella glared at her cousin. “And I won’t have him forced into marrying me, despite what you lot say.”

“Tell that to Riddick,” Alasdair replied. “I imagine he won’t be too thrilled to hear about any of this.”

“Then don’t tell him.”

“Och,” Angus said. “It’s bound to get back to Lord Riddick, sooner or later.”

“I don’t care about that. What I do care about is Logan being forced into something he doesn’t want to do.”

“He’ll do exactly what’s expected of him,” Alasdair sternly said.

“This is getting ridiculous,” Donella said. “Again.”

When she started to stand, Logan pulled her back down. “Ignore them, love. They’re idiots, and nobody is forcing me to do anything.”

Donella stared into his eyes, trying to quell the anxiety swirling inside. “Are you absolutely sure?”

His blue gaze was now as warm as a summer sky. “Of course. Do you honestly think either of our families could force me to do anything I didn’t want to do?”

“Well . . .”

“I am absolutely sure I want to marry you, Donella. Word of a Kendrick and a Highlander.”

Emotion forced its way up her throat, blocking her words.

Logan pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. “I can think of nothing I’d rather do more than protect you and care for you,” he added.

Donella managed a wobbly smile. Though she was quite capable of taking care of herself, she did appreciate the sentiment.

“Well, ye canna get a better promise than that, can ye, lass?” Angus hauled himself up and clapped Logan’s shoulder. “Well done, laddie boy. Ye’ve captured the Flower of Clan Graham, when all those other jinglebrains failed.”

“Including me,” Alasdair said with a grin.

“My thanks to both of you for ruining the moment,” Logan dryly said.

“Och, it’s a grand moment, and I’m that happy to share it with ye.”

It was so absurd that Donella had to giggle, mostly from relief. Logan’s assurance that he did truly want to marry her was . . . amazing.

Angus rubbed his hands. “And now we’ll get to the guid part. Ye children can leave the room while the Master of Riddick and I discuss the marriage settlements.”

Donella had to repress another laugh at Alasdair’s alarmed expression. He rarely referred to himself by his Scottish title and likely didn’t relish the idea of negotiating anything with Angus.

“Grandda, I’m several years older than Alec, ye ken,” Logan said. “And you won’t be negotiating anything for me.”

“But—”

“No buts. The only thing we need to decide now is when to announce our betrothal.” Logan glanced at Donella, seeking her opinion.

“I’d like a few days to get used to it,” she said. “Just keep it among family for now, if you don’t mind.”

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