Bride of Ice (The Warrior Daughters of Rivenloch #2) - Glynnis Campbell Page 0,71
want to be doin’ this?”
“Like you said, ’twill bring peace to our clans.”
“Washin’ my cock will bring peace to our clans?” he blurted out.
“What? Nay! Who said anything about washing your bloody…?” she exclaimed, casting the sponge into the bath. “God’s eyes, Highlander! Will you take me as your wife or not?”
Chapter 25
Colban was rendered speechless. He tried to replay their conversation, unable to fathom where it had gone astray. But none of that mattered.
“My wife?” he finally choked out.
“Aye. What did you think I was offering?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
What mattered was Hallie was offering herself in marriage. The beautiful warrior lass wanted to wed him. Him. An orphan. A bastard. A Highlander with no coin or name.
And by her eyes, she was dead serious.
“Me?” he ventured. “Ye wish to wed me?”
“Aye, though I can see you’re not enthused about the idea.”
Not enthused? His heart was pounding like a swordsmith’s mallet. And beneath the water, he stood as proud as a claymore.
She continued. “You said you were willing to make a sacrifice for your clan. So am I. ’Twas never my lot to marry for love. But you and I, I think we have at least…an understanding. I think we could make a…a compatible marriage that would benefit both our clans.”
Colban couldn’t breathe. An understanding? Compatible? God’s blood! She was the most desirable woman he’d ever met. This was an offer beyond his wildest dreams. Never had he imagined himself worthy of her affections. Never had he expected she would settle for anything less than a laird.
She mistook his speechlessness for reluctance. “There will be time later to become better acquainted and…” She lowered her eyes and mumbled, “Nurture our affections.”
Hell, his body wanted to nurture their affections at once. Wedding the magnificent Valkyrie? Waking up to her each morn? Making love and bairns and memories with such a woman?
It seemed too good to be true. His heart soared at the prospect.
Yet it would be a blunder of negotiation to let her believe he could be so easily won. So instead of shouting out in triumph to the sky, he pensively rubbed his chin.
“I think perhaps I could grow to care for ye, as long as…” He slipped her a sideways glance. “Ye don’t intend to slay me in my sleep like Feiyan, do ye?”
She smirked. “Nay.”
“Or kill me in a fiery rage like Jenefer?”
“If you like,” she quipped with dry humor, “we can write that into the marriage vows.”
Keeping a grim face, he nodded, pretending to consider her terms. “I’d also like apple coffyns every day.”
She wasn’t fooled for an instant by his ridiculous demand. “Every other day.”
He gave her a sly grin. “What about daily baths?”
She gave him a wry smile. “Don’t press your luck.”
He feigned a loud sigh of disappointment.
“So what say you?” she asked. “Are you willing to take me to wife? For the good of our clans?”
His smile faded as the import of what he was promising sank in. For him, it meant more than the good of the clan.
Once he gave his word, he would be her husband, not only in name, but in deed. He’d be required to honor his vows. To be faithful to Hallie. To protect her with his sword. To defend her with his life. To be her champion forevermore.
It was a weighty decision. One he was compelled to make after knowing his bride for less than a sennight.
But one he was confident he would not regret.
“Aye, m’lady,” he told her. “I would be honored to be your husband.”
“Good. ’Tis done then.” She offered her hand once again to seal the vow.
There was just one problem with Hallie’s very sensible, practical alliance between two “compatible” people who had “an understanding.”
He had no intention of letting her marry him for political gain.
He intended to ensure she married him for love.
He meant to prove he was The One. Convince her he was a suitable suitor. A devoted champion. A worthy husband. By the time they recited their vows, he would have Hallie of Rivenloch solidly embedded in his heart and eating out of his hand.
As if proving his point, he took the hand she offered, turned it over, and placed a tender kiss in her palm.
When he looked up, a gentle wonder lit her gaze.
Suddenly, he didn’t wish to let go of her. He wanted to clasp Hallie’s hand forever. Drawn into the crystal depths of her eyes, enclosing her fingers in his own, he felt a rightness, a belonging he’d never felt