Bride of Ice (The Warrior Daughters of Rivenloch #2) - Glynnis Campbell Page 0,70
for each other…
She tucked the corner of her lip under her teeth as an idea began to form in her brain that was intrepid. Impulsive. Irresponsible. A reckless scheme with as many loose ends as a frayed rope. But one that was more satisfying than she cared to admit.
She could marry Colban.
The future Laird of Rivenloch could seal the alliance with the Champion of mac Giric.
The idea made her heart flutter. But she was certain her excitement was from finding the perfect solution to a problem. Nothing more.
After all, it was the sensible thing to do. They were already reasonably compatible. And they were both aligned as to their purpose, willing to sacrifice their own happiness for the good of their clan.
Their union could forge an unbreakable bond, enriching the power of Rivenloch, and creating a formidable force along the border.
The more she considered it, the more brilliant a solution it seemed. And the more right it felt.
All she had to do was convince the king of the wisdom of such a union.
Persuade her parents of the Highlander’s worth.
And make Colban agree to the terms.
As he sat stewing in the bath, Colban mentally ticked off the possibilities for a Rivenloch wife out of the limited choices he’d seen.
If not one of Hallie’s cousins, then who?
One of Isabel’s friends?
They were too young. No matter how long the betrothal, he’d never be able to bed one of them without feeling like he was bedding a child.
What about the blind seer?
Her infirmity didn’t bother him, though she was several years his senior. But what was it she’d predicted for Colban? Loneliness and heartbreak? Surely she’d not wed a man for whom she’d foretold such a bleak future.
He was reduced to Burunild, whom he supposed would be a godsend when it came to looking after his injuries. If he could overlook the fact she was ancient enough to be his grandmother.
Hallie would probably find excuses for all of them anyway. Her fierce cousins notwithstanding, she clearly didn’t wish to sacrifice any of her clanswomen to a baseborn Highlander whom she thought swived sheep.
He sighed, wondering what other eligible Rivenloch maidens might look past his humble beginnings and find him palatable.
He’d be far more palatable once he finished this bath, he supposed. He returned to scrubbing his ribs, working his way down his abdomen and lower.
Hallie offered him her hand. “I’ll do it.”
He raised his brows. Now she wished to help him with his bath? Now? When he was about to wash his ballocks? He didn’t think so.
“Nay, thank ye.” he said with a chuckle.
She blinked. “What do you mean, nay?”
“I can manage it from here.” The last thing he needed during these sensitive negotiations was to lose control and embarrass himself like a randy oaf.
She looked flummoxed. “You won’t consider it?”
He gave her a baffled frown. She seemed overly offended. “I’d…rather ye didn’t.”
“You feel naught for me then?” she said stiffly, dropping her offered hand in her lap.
“What?” He creased his brow in confusion. Had the naughty lass not stolen a glimpse of his nether regions? Did she not realize it was his feelings for her that had caused his agitated state?
She muttered, “Maybe, if you gave things time to grow…”
“Grow?” He was already full to bursting. “I hate to disappoint ye, but—”
“Then don’t,” she insisted. “Say you’ll agree.”
His mouth worked as he battled indecision. Till now, she’d treated him with civility and generosity. He didn’t wish to jeopardize their arrangement and ruin the truce between them. So rather than risking offending her further, he shook his head and handed her the dripping sponge.
“Och, fine,” he said in exasperation. “Do your worst. Just don’t blame me for what ensues. A man doesn’t always have reign o’er such things, ye know.”
When he glanced up, she was staring at the sponge as if in confusion. Her gaze flitted to the beast between his legs.
“Best hurry,” he said. “I don’t want the water to get cold.” If she thought he wasn’t “grown” now, he couldn’t imagine what she’d think when the chill shrunk him.
“Aye. Fine. If that’s what it takes…”
The look in her eyes was dazed yet determined as she studied his anatomy. She swallowed hard, as if she were planning an attack on a wild boar. When she rose up on her knees, lifting the sponge like a weapon, he realized she’d never done this before in her life.
“Hold on,” he said, catching her wrist before she could plunge it into the water. “Why do ye