Page 124 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

Ailis’ heart slammed against her ribs.

Panic shot through Ailis so violently that her thoughts scattered. Her heart hammered against her ribs. Her fingers went cold, and for a dreadful moment, she could think of nothing but the horse beneath her, Kerr behind her, and the darkness swallowing the road ahead.

Think.

She needed time.

Not much. Just enough to get back to MacLaren Castle. Enough for someone to wake. Enough for Gordon to realize she was gone.

Her mind raced through every excuse she could think of, discarding each one as quickly as it came.

Then she remembered something.

The bindin’.

She turned her head slightly.

“Laird Kerr?”

“What?”

“If ye truly mean to marry me tonight, then ye must surely know that ye cannae.”

He gave a low laugh. “And why is that?”

“Because I am not prepared.”

He scoffed. “Ye neednae worry. Everythin’ ye need has been prepared in me castle. Me people await their new lady.”

“Nay… nay that.” Ailis forced her voice to remain steady. “Me family willnae accept a marriage performed this way. Neither will the church. If ye take me tonight and force the bindin’ without me family present, ye risk havin’ it declared invalid.”

Kerr’s arm tightened around her. “What are ye sayin’?”

“I am sayin’ ye could wait all these years only to discover that the marriage means nothin’.”

He fell silent, and Ailis swallowed hard because she knew she had his attention now.

She continued carefully.

“Ye want justice. Ye want the marriage that was promised to ye. Then do it properly. Let me stand before the priest tomorrow. Let me family witness it. Let the clans know I became yer wife willingly.”

The lie tasted bitter, but she forced herself to continue.

“If ye take me tonight, ye give Gordon every reason to come after ye. If ye wait until tomorrow, there will be witnesses. Nay one can claim ye stole me. Nay one can say the bindin’ was forced.”

Kerr said nothing, but Ailis could almost feel him weighing her words.

“Ye are tryin’ to deceive me, are ye nae? Why would yer family agree to this?” he barked.

“I have nay reason to deceive ye, Me Laird. Laird MacLaren doesnae want me, but ye do. I am better off in yer castle. I will wed ye if that is what ye wish. It is also what will ensure peace between our clans.”

For several long moments, only the horse’s hooves broke the silence.

Then Kerr gave a quiet, thoughtful hum. “Ye are cleverer than I expected.”

Ailis kept her face turned toward the road.

Please believe me.