Page 56 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

Gordon sat alone in his study, trying to make sense of the estate accounts by the dying fire when a light knock sounded at the door.

“Aye?”

The door opened, and Ailis stepped inside.

For a moment, he forgot the figures before him.

She seemed different tonight. There was no bright mischief in her expression, no challenge lurking behind those blue eyes. She stood just inside the doorway, her hands clasped before her, uncertain enough that the sight unsettled him.

Candlelight touched the loose strands of her light brown hair and softened the freckles scattered across her cheeks. She wore a dark blue gown, simple enough for the hour, and the color made her eyes look almost impossibly bright.

Gordon’s attention briefly caught on her mouth then he forced it away.

“What is it?” he asked.

Ailis stepped farther into the chamber. “Is everythin’ all right?”

“Aye.”

She hesitated. Then, in a manner that was almost startlingly direct, she said, “What is it about Laird Kerr?”

Gordon leaned back in his chair. “Kerr?”

She nodded. “I asked Marion, but she thought I should come to ye.”

He sighed quietly and rubbed a hand over his jaw. He should have known that she would one day question this.

Ailis deserved the truth. Whatever else lay between them, she was being brought into the middle of something she had never chosen and had every right to understand.

“Sorcha was promised to Kerr before she had to step in to marry Rowan,” he said.

Gordon watched her fingers tighten together.

“And then Kerr thought it only fair that ye should have been given to him instead.”

Her eyes lifted sharply. “Me?”

“Aye.”

She gave a small, incredulous laugh. “But I was promised to Rowan.”

“Ye were,” he agreed with a nod.

“And Sorcha married him.”

“Aye.”

Ailis’ brows drew together. “Then why would Kerr think I belonged to him?”

“Because men do nae always reason from what is fair,” Gordon said. “Kerr believed the alliance between our families had been broken when Sorcha married Rowan. He wanted another marriage to settle the insult.”

Ailis’ expression changed. Understanding began to settle over her face.

“And that marriage was meant to be me.”

Gordon nodded.

“Yer brother and mine came to a different arrangement.”