Entrusted to a Highlander (Highland Promise Trilogy #2) - Donna Fletcher Page 0,16

that she would deny him his husbandly rights?

“She knows this is the right thing to do and she will do what is right,” Arran said to the mare. This time the horse didn’t nod.

The door to the cottage opened and King darted out followed by Princess. Both animals went off to see to their duties. Purity followed after the two, not bothering to glance around for him as she pulled the hood of her worn cloak up over her head.

He hurried over to her and she stopped when she caught sight of him.

“Don’t follow me, I won’t be long,” she said, hoping he understood.

“I will keep my eyes averted while you see to your morning duties,” he said.

“I have no time to argue with you. Remain where I can’t see you or else,” she warned and hurried off.

Had she just threatened him? He shook his head and followed her.

Purity made her way beneath a large pine tree, the thick branches overhead protecting her a bit from the rain. She hurried to get done when Arran’s head came into view over the top of a bush and he looked directly at her.

“What did I tell you?” she cried out.

“I can’t see anything,” he argued, wanting to make certain no one snuck up on her.

“You can see me.”

“Only part of you.” The next thing he knew a rock bounced off his chest. “Did you just throw a rock at me?”

“I did and the next one will hit your head if you don’t turn around,” she cautioned and when he didn’t move, she threw another rock at him.

Arran caught it. “I’ll do whatever is necessary to see you safe. Throw another rock at me and I will come stand right in front of you until you’re done.”

Purity didn’t argue, having no doubt he would do as he warned. She hurried and finished and when they reached the cottage, he hurried in behind her. She stopped him from closing the door, grabbing it, and looking out.

“King! Princess!” she shouted and repeated their names twice more before they both appeared and rushed into the cottage.

“They’re animals. They should stay outside,” Arran said, slipping off the fur that hung around his shoulders.

“Their family,” she said, thinking she’d be forever reminding him of that.

She sat what was left of the bread on the small table and the last of the quail eggs. She would gather more if she was going to remain here, but it didn’t seem likely she would be staying and she was still trying to comprehend that.

“We will leave tomorrow,” he said, moving the barrel to the table to sit on, leaving the lone chair for her.

“I would argue with you, but it makes little sense. You will continue to ignore my wishes.”

“I do what is best for you, Purity.”

Her name fell from his lips like a soft caress and sent gooseflesh rushing down her arms. This was not good. Before she knew it, she’d accept the marriage bargain he proposed without question. “So you think.”

“Trust me. It is for the best,” he said, trusting not only his instincts, but sound reasoning.

She didn’t know if marriage to him was for the best, but there was something else she couldn’t ignore. The message George had delivered. It would all be over soon enough. There’d be no reason to remain in the woods, though what reason would there be for her to return home?

“Maybe it is best I return home and see what awaits me,” she said. “If things don’t work out, I can always return here.”

“You’ll not be returning here. You’ll be my wife and we will make a good life together.”

They ate, talk sparse, since he wouldn’t discuss his years away and she certainly didn’t want to relive the time she was mostly invisible to people, even the ones she loved. Then there were those who had avoided her, believing her deformed hand set her in league with the devil.

Arran watched Purity’s bottom lip plump from her gnawing at it with her teeth. He got the urge to run his own teeth across it, plumping it even more before kissing her. He pushed the thought aside. He didn’t need to think about that now.

“Worries plague you. I don’t blame you. You don’t know what you will return home to. But you don’t return home alone. I will be there beside you and let nothing happen to you.”

“You always did keep your word,” Purity said, standing to clear off the table so she could get