Page 32 of Wedded to the Devilish Highlander
She tilted her head, feigning offense. “Must I have an excuse to be pleasant, then?”
He crossed his arms. “Aye. When it comes from ye, lass, I’d say that’s fair.”
She laughed softly and walked toward him with purpose, her skirts swishing around her legs. “Very well. I confess I’ve come to accept yer offer.”
His eyebrows rose. “Have ye now?”
“Aye. I’ll be yer fake betrothed.”
“Good, because I already told the council we were betrothed,” he said.
“What?” Eileen gasped. “Ye told them already? Why would ye go and do that?”
“Because I kenned ye couldnae resist me,” he drawled.
“Och, let’s call the whole thing off,” she complained.
“Calm down,” he soothed. “I only ken how much ye care for yer braither and what ye’re willin’ to do for him. Ye’re clearly a lass who doesnae shirk her duties, and I kenned ye would step up now.”
“And now, ye’re as sweet as cream,” she admitted.
“Ye willnae find a nobler man around,” Archer joked.
“Then I’m a lucky lass to be marryin’ ye.”
They stood looking at each other. Archer smiled, finding her pleasant in her bantering. If they had more of this, perhaps he could fully concentrate on O’Gunn instead of being riled up by the woman who’d just barged into his life.
When Eileen looked down at the floor, he cleared his throat “Then we’ll need to make it formal. I’ll organize a feast. Introduce ye to the rest of the council and me kin.”
She smiled wider. “A feast? How proper. How extravagant.”
His jaw ticked. Her ease, her comfort with his plan, felt wrong somehow. She should be suspicious. Uncertain when there was a spy in their midst and she’s dropped into his lap in disguise. He should have more questions. He hadn’t expected her… charm.
“And I’ll send word to Laird McFair. Let him ken that his sister hasnae been kidnapped.”
“Oh, please do. Or else Thomas will likely send half of our bloody warriors here to drag me back.”
He blinked. “That does sound likely.”
She grinned, stepping past him and toward the table near the hearth. “Would ye care for tea? I had a pot sent up.”
He followed, frowning as she poured two cups, adding a splash of honey and a sprig of mint to his.
“Ye’re full of surprises this morn,” he muttered, accepting the cup.
“Am I nae allowed to be agreeable?”
“Ye are, of course,” he said slowly. “But I’ll be honest, lass—it’s unsettling.”
She took a dainty sip. “I’ll gladly be rude again if it will ease yer nerves.”
Archer’s eyes flicked to her mouth as it curved around the rim of the cup, and he cleared his throat. “So, ye are set on this arrangement?”
“Aye,” she said. “I’ll marry ye and ye’ll aid me in findin’ me braither. It’s a fair deal.”
He smirked. “Aye, as fair as fair.”
“Me braither might nae have much time. I’m sure ye’ll act swiftly.”
