A Hellion at the Highland Court (The Highland Ladies #9) - Celeste Barclay Page 0,42

You could be on a horse halfway home after what you learned aboot my family and what you’ve learned aboot me. But rather than leave, you remained here,” Laurel looked around the chamber. “Beside me, so I wouldn’t wake alone. No one else would ever think to do that, to understand what it would have meant for me to be here by myself after what I heard.”

“I’m not going anywhere. Not without you unless you say otherwise,” Brodie promised. He moved to sit beside Laurel. His heavy arm wrapped around her caused her to topple against his chest. She sighed as she closed her eyes again. The sense of peace and security she felt in her dream swept over her as she leaned against Brodie.

“Do you think that sometimes one part of our mind can know more than another?” Laurel asked.

“Aye. I think parts of our mind can sense things or deduce them before the part that forms our thoughts does. It’s how men stay alive in battle when they have no reason to suspect an attack, but they move away in time. It’s how a bairn learns to walk and talk, I suppose. It’s how I know I don’t want to leave your side.”

“I worry aboot what you will see if you sign a betrothal contract,” Laurel admitted.

“Not if, when. And Laurel, quite honestly, I don’t give a shite what your father does or doesn’t offer. My clan doesn’t need your dowry, and any lands you might have are too far from Campbell territory to be of benefit. I can ensure I set aside dower lands for you and any daughters we might have. I can and will provide for you.”

“You may say that, but your clan council likely will not agree,” Laurel countered.

“As you said earlier, you bring the Ross name to our marriage. That will suffice.”

“How can it? I bring naught else. No plates, no silver or gold, no linens. Naught.”

“You don’t know that,” Brodie soothed. “And don’t you see? I want you, Laurel. I want you as you are and who you are. I don’t want what your father does or doesn’t offer.”

“Are you this wise because you’re auld?” Laurel said playfully as she brushed her fingertips through a streak of graying hair.

“Mayhap, but I’m not so auld that I won’t chase you around our chamber and into our bed,” Brodie said before kissing Laurel. Before the fire turned into an inferno, Brodie pulled away with a groan. “Waiting for you may very well be the death of me.”

“Our?” Laurel asked timidly.

“Yours and mine,” Brodie nodded.

Laurel swallowed. “Would it have been yours and Eliza’s?”

“Not anytime soon. Mayhap one day, but I honestly doubt it,” Brodie admitted. “I never thought of sharing my chamber with her or anyone else before you.”

“Despite what the king relayed from my father, and despite my years here, I’ve never—I haven’t—I don’t know how…” Laurel stumbled over her words before shaking her head and twisting to bury her face against her bent legs. She was humiliated all over again. She squeaked when Brodie lifted her into his lap and leaned back against the headboard.

“And I told the truth. It doesn’t matter to me if you have or you haven’t. But I know you’re a maiden.”

“How can you possibly know? You haven’t touched me—there.”

“It’s how you react to each of our kisses or when I touch you. It how you touch me. You’re tentative at first, but your natural courage and curiosity pushes through. You’re not a liar, so I don’t think you’re pretending,” Brodie answered. Laurel flinched, then winced.

“Brodie, I have lied, and you know that. I’ve lied countless times since I’ve been here. White lies to flatter other ladies, nasty half-truths to be mean. Full-fledged lies to get what I need since I don’t receive pin money.”

“Have you lied to me?” Brodie asked.

“No. I—I could have. More than once, but I haven’t. I don’t want to.”

“Do you think you will continue to lie if your circumstances changed?” Brodie prodded.

“Only if it protected you or someone I care aboot, if it kept our clan safe.”

“Those are understandable reasons. Laurie, I don’t fear you lying to me. You enjoy telling me the blunt and painful truth far too much,” Brodie chuckled, and it rumbled against Laurel. She closed her eyes and sighed. “Are you comfortable?”

“Immensely,” Laurel yawned.

“Do wish to sleep more?” Brodie stroked her hair.

“I’m tired, but no, I don’t want to sleep. I’d rather spend time with you,” Laurel admitted shyly. “Would