The Highlander's Destiny (Highland Rogues #2) - Mary Wine Page 0,3

me, it would seem.” He drew a sip from his whiskey and took a long moment to enjoy the bite of the strong brew. When his eyes widened again, she felt the look he sent her all the way to her toes.

“Has Cormac no’ taken the time to meet ye lass?” Rolfe asked.

It was a blunt question. One which skirted the boundary of decency. Rolfe knew it, too. There was a flash of boldness in his eyes that tickled her. She leaned forward, maintaining his gaze.

“Ye,” Cora declared softly, “are not nearly as civilized as ye attempt to convince the world.”

Rolfe lifted a toast to her again. “I am a Highlander, lass. There are expectations….” He made a slow-motion with his glass. “If I am too congenial…well someone might start saying I am civilized and more suited to…the low lands. I’ll be expected to wear britches before too long.”

Cora laughed at his explanation. “We can nae have that.”

She tossed the last of her whiskey into her mouth before setting the cup down with a solid sound on the tabletop. It earned her approving looks from Rolf’s men. The Mackenzie Retainers didn’t miss it either. The men were contemplating what a fine match she and Rolfe were and how it would keep the peace between their clans solid as stone.

That damned feeling was back around her neck. Her clansmen were doing a good job of appearing to ignore her and Rolfe while noting every last detail of the meeting. And the Munros were doing precisely the same thing to Rolfe. She saw the glitter of frustration in his eyes as he maintained a perfect position in his chair and never allowed his gaze to drop lower than her chin.

She battled the need to make an excuse and leave the high table before she’d afforded the meeting enough time to give it a fair chance at success. If she failed, the Munro would have a reason to accuse her of slighting their hospitality and their laird’s son.

What was wrong with her?

She forced herself to look at Rolfe Munro. There was nothing so horrible about the man. He wasn’t twice her age or swimming in the fat of excess. More than one bride would be content to discover him waiting for her when she completed the journey from her father’s home.

Not her, though.

And to be fair, there was only a mild expression of interest on Rolfe’s face. He was performing according to the same guidelines she was. Minding his manners. Thinking of the way his actions would be picked apart by both their kin. He didn’t find her any more interesting than she did him, and he was lecturing himself as to just why she wasn’t at all a poor choice for a bride.

Rolfe Munro didn’t want her, but he’d settle for her. Odds were, Cormac hadn’t contacted her because he felt the same way she did about their impending union.

Oh…so ye want to be craved?…

Was that at the core of her restlessness? A desire to fall in love? If so, she was setting her feet on a perilous path, for love was so very often not returned.

No, that wasn’t it. Rolfe’s lack of passion wasn’t needling her. She’d been discontent before leaving the Mackenzie stronghold.

Later, as she should have been sleeping, Cora gazed up at the ceiling. The walls around her were thick and sturdy. She should have taken solace in them. Instead, she was eager for sunrise and the opportunity to depart. There was something pounding through her that demanded she climb back in the saddle.

Dissatisfied when she realized she had no reason to feel as though life had left her wanting, for she had much more than many, she went back to sleep with frustration gnawing at her. Shame was there as well, for she was no longer a child who might convince themselves that they were justified in their battle against what simply was.

Perhaps it was time to meet Cormac Grant. See how the man affected her. Give the union her father had arranged a chance. After all, the man hadn’t arrived the moment she turned eighteen and demanded she be given to him. More than one man would have, for the sake of the alliance between their clans.

Cormac was as stuck as she was.

Perhaps he had someone he cared for. Was that the reason he’d not even sent one letter of introduction? Was he dreading the moment when her brother reminded him of his duty to honor the