Excerpt copyright @ 2019 Kara Griffin
“You’re betrothed to me.” He sat on the
closest chair and settled her on his lap. She must’ve been rattled for she
didn’t protest and remained still.
“No, I’m betrothed to another.”
“Liam, explain why you deem her to be
betrothed to you.” Graeme’s impatience wore.
He gave a sharp glance at Graeme. As
much as he liked the bewilderment in her eyes, he decided to appease his
comrade and leaned his head closer to hers. “Tell him the name of your
betrothed. You do know it, do you not?”
Her eyes shot to her hands. She fiddled
with her fingers and twisted them until she folded them and placed them on her
lap. “Of course I do. His name is … I only know him as Kincaid. He’s the Earl
of Lennox’s nephew. The betrothal was made years ago, but he hasn’t come.”
Liam didn’t like sound of dejection in
her tone. “I’ve been unable to.”
“You … You are … You’re Kincaid?”
“Aye. Liam Kincaid, the Earl of
Lennox’s nephew,” he said, grinning at her confusion.
Graeme laughed his arse off.
“I don’t know what to do. Why have you
avoided the betrothal? I don’t understand.”
“I was unfortunately delayed. My
comrades and I are in service to the king. I’ve been protecting King Robert and
will continue to do so.” He scowled at Graeme to get him to cease his laughter,
but his comrade didn’t cooperate or help his situation.
“And now you want to honor the
betrothal?”
“Hell yes. If I’d known, lass, how
bonny you are, I’d have made my way to you sooner.” He smiled knowing what he
spoke was the truth. “We will wed on the morrow.” Liam stated the last in a
firm and assertive tone, because she appeared akin to a frightened doe, ready
to scamper off and hide.
“It doesn’t matter. I must have your
promise to teach me to use the sword.”
Liam felt her body tense. “As my wife,
you will leave it to me to enact your revenge. I will kill this foe of yours.
You only need to name him.”
She stared at him long and hard, and if
he wasn’t mistaken, her eyes turned greener. Now that he got a closer look at
her, he found her to be even more appealing. The pertness of her nose, coupled
with the sparse freckles made her enchanting. Not only was she bonny, but she
was petite and a gentle lass.
“I will kill my own foe. I only need
your help in learning to use the weapon.”
Mayhap not such a gentle lass. He took
hold of her chin and turned her face so she’d look at him. “It was not an
offer, lass, but a command. Tell me who you seek and he will exist no longer.”
There was no way he’d allow her near a weapon. He was firm in his resolve until
a moment later when she gave him a condition of her own.
“I do thank you, Kincaid, but nay. This
foe will die by my hand. I have a condition as well. I will wed you, but only
because my father willed it so, and because you will teach me to use the sword.
Otherwise, I shan’t speak the words.”
Graeme laughed and fell back in his
chair. “She’s got a wee bit of gumption. What say you, Liam? Are ye getting
married or not?”
She was going to be difficult. Aye, the
sweet lass had a wee bit of fire in her. Liam grinned and nodded. He had no
choice but to accept her condition.
“I agree to your ridiculous requirement.
We shall seal the pact with a kiss.” Before she could protest, he set his mouth
against hers. Kissing Makenna was pleasurable, so much so that Liam got caught
up in the sensuality of it. He held her face, cradled in his rough palms. Soft
lips pressed against his mouth. He deepened the kiss unbeknownst where it would
lead. When her lips responded, a possessive aura came to him. His tongue grazed
hers, lightly coaxing hers to mingle with his.
The kiss was more than he’d expected
and desire struck him. He wanted her, wanted to make her forget her despair,
and wanted her beneath him. Never had his heart raced as it was doing now.
Liam drew back and smiled because she
appeared as dazed as he. He hadn’t told an untruth when he agreed to her
condition. She wanted to learn the sword, and he’d train her. He didn’t say it
would be easy on her. His deception formed and he chuckled. One way or another,
he would sway her to give up such a farfetched notion.
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