The Scot's Angel - Keira Montclair Page 0,7

I overstepped.”

She shook her head, her lips tipped toward him as if she wished he’d do it again, and he let out the breath he’d been holding.

“I’m glad you kissed me,” she said after a moment. “I’ve always hoped you would.” She dropped her gaze to her feet, and it brought a small smile to his lips.

“That pleases me, Claray. Would you be willing to let me pursue you? I mean, I’m not quite sure how to go about it since we’re not young anymore.”

“I am two and thirty, and you must be five older than me.”

“Seven and thirty is correct. I…I’ve always hoped to marry.” To marry you, he might have said, but he didn’t wish to overwhelm her. She had been betrothed, after all, and even though some time had passed since Cordell’s death, he expected the wound had not fully healed.

“I feel the same way, Thorn, and I would be pleased if you pursued me.”

“Should I ask your sire for his permission?”

“I’m sure he would give it to you.”

“But we should be prepared for the possibility he may reject me,” he said slowly, though his most recent encounter with Connor gave him more hope than he’d had before.

She tilted her head, studying him, her lovely plait a halo around her head. “Whyever would he do that?”

“I’m not of noble blood.”

“Thorn, ’tis the silliest thing I’ve ever heard. I’m not of noble blood either.”

“But you are the chieftain’s daughter, and I am but a lowly warrior.”

“There is no doubt in my mind that he will give you permission.”

“Claray!” a sharp voice called out to her, the crispness in the air making it sound cold.

“Aye?”

They both stood from the bench, and Thorn stepped in front of her as if to protect her, something he did without thinking, although it was probably unnecessary to make such a gesture at the Grant keep, especially since whoever it was had spoken Claray’s name.

“Are you out here alone?” the voice barked, which was when Thorn recognized it. Connor Grant. He came around the corner and stopped. “Och, Thorn. ’Tis only you.” He looked at them for a moment, Thorn slightly in front of Claray, Claray’s hand at his shoulder, and raised his brows. “Thorn. Is this what it appears to be?”

“What does it appear to be, my lord?” Even though he was a man of seven and thirty, he felt his hands shake slightly as Connor towered over him, looking at them so intently. It wasn’t fear of Connor, truly, but fear of letting him down. He had always held the man in such esteem.

A smile flitted across the great man’s face, only to disappear. “Claray, you look as though you’ve been thoroughly kissed. Though I know ’tis personal, you are my daughter and your mother would want me to ask.”

Thorn cleared his throat and asked, “I’d like leave to pursue your daughter, my lord. Will you accept my suit?” If he’d thought his hands were shaking before, it was nothing on the tremor in them now.

Connor Grant clasped his shoulder and said, “What took you so long?”

Chapter Four

Claray was so happy that she wished to shout it to the stars, but she managed to keep herself under control as she walked back to the keep with Thorn and her sire.

Once inside, Thorn helped her with her mantle, then her father clapped his hands and said, “Guess who just requested permission to pursue my daughter?”

All eyes turned to them and Thorn quickly took her hand, rubbing his thumb across the soft skin of the back of her hand, something she found oddly soothing. She wished she could stop the blush from invading her skin and her senses but she couldn’t.

Dyna gave a hoot and clapped her hands, while their mother nodded, grinned, and said, “I don’t doubt he’s teased you, Thorn, but I heartily give you my approval. You’ve chosen a fine lass, but she’s also tender-hearted. Please remember that and come help us, both of you.”

Aunt Kyla entered with a tray of goblets of warm cider, Alick and Branwen joining them from their chambers upstairs with their two lads and the new lassie resting on her mother’s chest.

“What are we celebrating?” Alick asked. “Besides Yule. I can tell something happened.”

“Claray and Thorn are a couple,” Dyna said.

“Should have happened a long time ago,” Derric said with a grin. He chomped down on an apple from the basketful on one of the trestle tables.

Dyna gave him a look. “Do you ever stop eating?”

He