Black Richard's Heart (The MacCulloughs #1) - Suzan Tisdale Page 0,15

we not marry,” she told him. “My family and yers can keep their lands and holdin’s. No one will be punished if I say nay.”

He scoffed. His father, Galen, had pledged his allegiance to David long ago. But David was still king and able to change his mind on nothing more than a whim. But a marriage betwixt the two clans could stop the warring.

Something unsaid hung in the air betwixt them. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but ’twas there all the same. Taking a step forward, he studied her closely for a long moment. “And would ye choose to marry me?” he asked, surprising even himself by the question.

Her voice was so soft he barely heard her answer. “I would.”

Should he believe her? She was, after all, a MacRay. He could count himself a fool if he trusted her too easily, or at all. No matter how pretty he found her. A beautiful woman was just as capable of treachery as anyone.

The question why burned on his tongue. Why would a beautiful lass such as Aeschene MacRay willingly marry the likes of him? Was it some trap the MacRay was setting? Marry his daughter off to him so that he might have a spy amongst the MacCulloughs? ’Twas a possibility that made bile rise in his throat. Swallowing back the question and the bile, he decided to take a different approach.

“Do ye understand that ’twill not be easy for ye?” ’Twas more a statement than a question.

“Naught much is easy for me these days, m’laird,” she replied with just a hint of a smile. “I do not expect to walk into yer clan and be accepted immediately.”

“Do ye also understand that I will expect and demand yer complete loyalty to me and mine?”

She quirked a pretty brow. “I would not marry ye if ye did not expect such.”

Taken aback by her reply, he had a strong retort at the ready when he saw a twinkle of mirth in her eyes. The lass has a sense of humor. He wasn’t certain if he liked that quality in a person, for he had lost his the day the Chisolms attacked his clan.

Pulling her shoulders back ever so slightly she said, “The choice be yers, m’laird, not mine. I ken ’twill not be easy for ye to have an imperfect wife. I will not fault ye for sayin’ nay.”

Imperfect? Her? Nay, if anyone was imperfect ’twas he. Scarred, mangled, and perpetually angry.

Oddly, he felt drawn to this young woman, another sensation he found irksome. How long had it been since he’d been more than just physically attracted to a woman? An attraction that went deeper than desire? The truth was, it had been years. Her name was Aishlinn McKenna. He had loved her with all his heart, but hers had belonged to another.

Aye, there had been women he had bedded over the years. But none of them could hold a candle to the beautiful woman with hair the color of gold. But that was a lifetime ago. She had married one of his oldest friends, Duncan McKenna. Aye, a lifetime ago.

But the beautiful lass sitting near the hearth? God’s teeth but he found Aeschene even more enchanting. Slight she was, he doubted the top of her head would even reach his chin. How would she fare amongst his clan? Would she be able to withstand what was certain to be a most difficult time? Would his clans-people eventually accept her as his wife? As their lady?

He would demand nothing less from them.

The startling realization that he wanted to protect her made his stomach tighten. He had come here with the belief that once he said his peace to Garrin MacRay’s face and the lass saw his, there would be no wedding. But now?

His mind turned traitorous with thoughts of burying his face in her luxurious hair. Of feeling her skin against his, of hearing her soft sighs. Then his mind went back to thoughts of another man in her life.

He didn’t want another man to have her.

“Come,” Black Richard said as he started toward the door.

“Where?” Aeschene asked, unwilling yet to leave the chair.

“With me,” he said as he held his hand out to her. She looked fearful and uncertain. Then he remembered again that she could not see. He went to her, gently took her hand and helped her to her feet. His early assumption had been incorrect. She was even slighter than he had previously thought. The