Page 70 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

“Me uncle was a terrifyin’ man. Ye would have feared him.”

Her chin hiked up immediately. “Do I look like I scare easily, Me Laird?”

“Nay,” he answered, and she saw a smile dance on his lips before he shook his head again. “Ye would have definitely troubled him, that I am certain of.”

Ailis smiled. “I thought ye might arrive at that conclusion eventually. I am nae the kind of person who is frightened easily. I may have the weak and feeble body of a woman, but me heart is fierce and strong.”

She placed a hand on her chest as she said the words.

A quiet huff escaped him that might almost have been a laugh.

Ailis got lost in the warmth his expression carried as he chuckled to himself. Blood surged upward until her head felt strangely light while every instinct urged her toward him.

It is all too much… these feelings.

She was aware of them now more than ever, and she knew that was dangerous.

Because what happens if I let meself feel this way and he doesnae feel the same?

The soft scrape of steel against wood soon mingled with the whisper of bristles across cloth.

He already fled from her once, and she still could not understand that either.

“Gordon, why did ye flee the other night?” she asked before she could stop herself. “After what happened in yer chamber?”

He looked at her for a moment, and she held her breath, wondering what he would say to her.

Gordon lowered his gaze after that. “I am sorry it happened. It was a mistake,” he answered without meeting her eyes again. “I shouldnae have happened, and it willnae happen again.”

Ailis stayed quiet as his rejection stung through her.

Neither of them felt any need to speak again as they sat there.

Outside, rain continued to fall upon the keep. Inside, the fire burned steadily, wrapping them in a comfortable silence that asked nothing of either of them.

Ailis lost track of the night fading away.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

By the following noon, the keep grew even busier with the arriving guests for the binding in one week.

Sorcha and Rowan had arrived with Callan to help prepare for the binding, and somehow, their presence made the reality of her marriage feel more real.

Ailis had been grateful to see her sister.

Now, seated beside her at supper, she found herself wishing Sorcha would stop smiling at her as though she already knew every thought inside her head.

“Ye’ll need to decide upon the flowers tomorrow,” Sorcha said, breaking a piece of bread. “And the ribbons. I thought blue would suit ye, but perhaps, white would be prettier.”

“Flowers, ribbons, guests,” Ailis murmured. “Ye make it sound as though I am bein’ marched toward me own funeral.”

Sorcha’s lips twitched. “Ye are being married.”

“That is precisely what concerns me.”

Across the table, Rowan laughed quietly.

Sorcha nudged Ailis’ arm. “Ye’ll be happy.”