Page 7 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

Because I am nay good for her or anyone.

“Promise me ye will nae ruin this alliance. The marriage is in four weeks. There is much to prepare.”

Gordon could not promise Rowan what he wanted. He could not promise to court Ailis kindly, to welcome her, or to make room for her light in his dark keep. He could not promise to take her as his wife and let himself imagine sons, daughters, laughter, soft hands, warm nights, and a woman who might one day look at him without fear.

Gordon could promise only one thing. He would not let her be trapped.

Four weeks.

Four weeks for her to see what he was.

A monstrous man that she must refuse.

He had four weeks to make certain she ended the alliance herself.

Better her hatred now than misery later.

Four weeks is more than enough time.

CHAPTER THREE

The grand hall was filled with too many voices as Gordon tried to keep his mind on anything but the woman… his betrothed, sitting next to her sister, her face pale and her eyes fixed on a spot on the wall.

He did not think she heard a word they said. She did not look interested, but, heaven help him, he could not take his eyes off her. Her brown hair was braided over her shoulders tonight; some stray strands swayed down the sides of her face, but it was not that that caught his attention.

It was her mouth. Those soft folds pinned in a frown that also puckered her forehead. His eyes trailed down her face again as he noted her freckled skin. This time, heat swept through his insides, making him shiver. The sensation felt swift, like fire catching dry heather. It ran beneath his skin and left him with a shallow breath.

Gordon could not shake off the uncomfortable feeling as he tore his eyes away from her face but not before she caught him watching her. Ailis was indeed a beauty. Any man would jump at the chance to have her hand in marriage.

But I am nae any man. And he could not want her. Or trust that their alliance would amount to anything.

“We celebrate in three weeks,” he heard his brother saying as he directed his thoughts back to the present. “The joinin’ of our clans will be even stronger if we pursue this. We have alliances each with the southern clans, and together, we can protect our borders here in the east and secure our trade routes.”

Rowan and Callan seemed to agree on everything as they continued their discussion, and Gordon sat stiff in his seat, facing Sorcha, his jaw so tight he could feel the ache.

He did not hear the next question from Callan, but he felt the prick of inquisitive eyes on him, and that made him look up.

“I daenae wish to discuss this any further,” Gordon said as his gaze skimmed past every face at the table. “The marriage has been decided. The preparations are in process. It is an alliance, nothin’ more. We daenae need to speak of anythin’ else.”

He heard a light scoff after his words and glanced sideways to find Ailis glaring at him, her displeasure evident in the way her features tightened.

Someone else cleared their throat, and this time, Gordon saw his brother’s wife, Sorcha, rise before Ailis could say anything.

“Perhaps we should give the betrothed some respite,” she suggested, “so they can talk to one another.

“I agree,” Rowan said with a nod then rose too and patted Gordon on the shoulder before walking away.

Sorcha followed then Callan too, leaving only Gordon and Ailis at the table.

Ailis’ stony gaze remained fixed on him. “Of course,” she finally muttered, not taking her eyes off him. “Ye daenae wish to discuss marriage because ye daenae want it. I daenae want it either, so is it nae best we save ourselves the trouble and nae venture into this…” She trailed off. “Partnership. Whatever it is.”

She hiked her chin and kept her eyes on his.

“Ye arenae the only one displeased with the arrangement, Me Laird.” That stubborn jut of her chin caught his attention and made him stare at her.

The tension in the air sizzled as the room fell into a hushed silence. Gordon held her blue gaze, surprised by how distant yet bright it seemed. There was an intensity in the way she looked at him.

Gordon did not know if it was bravery or simply that unlike everyone else, she did not cower in his face. That intrigued him so much that he nearly forgot to keep the scowl on his face.