Chapter 19 #2
At that, Willow’s stern countenance finally cracked, and her lips parted as her mouth fell open. Wavering from his face to the floor, her stare dropped as Willow blinked furiously. A single tear dripped onto her cheek, and she shook her head.
Keegan was about to offer a word of kindness when Willow let out a restrained grunt, her hands squeezing into fists at her side.
“They…” Willow’s mouth hung open a moment longer before she clamped it shut, her teeth clicking together. “How could he do that? There is nay evidence to support him. I havenae lost me virtue, and now me betrothed believes…”
Willow’s words trailed off, and Keegan had to force himself to swallow again. His guts churned, bile creeping up the back of his throat. After a moment, he exhaled hard, scrubbing a hand over his face as he looked up at Willow again.
“The truth is lass…I did take…liberties with ye.”
A deep flush worked its way up from Willow’s chest to her face, and Keegan couldn’t stop himself from reacting to the sight. It was too similar to the exquisite look she’d given him when he had claimed some of her. That innocent embarrassment laced with desire…it was intoxicating.
But his actions had already cost Willow an engagement. Could he really keep this up, knowing that his attentions could continue to cost her?
The lass could be with another…someone who isnae aware of this false claim upon her. She could leave and…
Keegan couldn’t even finish the thought. The idea of Willow going anywhere, of taking up with another man, sent something so dark and primal through his body that the laird thought he might be sick. He couldn’t understand it, but even so, Keegan was also powerless to resist it, it seemed.
“What am I to do? I daenae have anywhere else to go. I’ve nay family outside of Castle McCallum, and I…I am nay longer welcome there.”
Stepping forward, Keegan lowered his face into Willow’s eye line, reaching to lift up her chin and get her to look at him.
“Ye daenae have to go anywhere. Me words were in earnest, Willow. Ye will be staying here.”
She crumbled slightly under his gaze, and Keegan offered a crooked smile, only one corner of his mouth lifting up.
“Ye had kenned that Magnus doesnae wish for me return when ye announced it to the Great Hall.”
He nodded.
“I…I shouldnae be so surprised. I kenned meself that Magnus had nay real desire to bring me home. He’d sent me off to be with the MacMillans after all, and he wasnae the least sorrowful for me leavin' the castle.”
“Understandin' somethin' and experiencin' it are verra different, lass. Ye’ve actually lived through his disregardin' of ye now.” Keegan studied Willow’s forlorn face. “But I can assure ye that ye will be safe here. Ye will be treated fairly. I will see to it meself.”
The lass held his stare, nodding. Her eyes seemed to search his for something—honestly or kindness—he couldn’t be sure.
Still, Keegan did what he could to allow his expression to speak his words for him.
After a moment, Willow narrowed her eyes, stepping up to him and dragging her fingers along his jawline.
“Why?”
It was a simple question, but one that Keegan didn’t have an answer for. At least, not one that he could admit to even himself, let alone Willow. So, he offered what he could.
“I willnae see ye harmed. I…simply cannae allow it.”
Willow nodded, seeming to take the words as enough for now. Then, she reached up on her tiptoes and laid a gentle kiss on his lips. Despite the chasteness of the caress, Keegan’s body was struck by the power of it—as if he’d been struck by lightning in a storm.
When she returned to her usual stature, Willow nodded. “I will stay with ye then.”
Something profound and terrifying and new roared to life behind Keegan’s sternum, and he didn’t understand it. There was little use in denying its presence, however. Instead, he would focus on what needed to be done to ensure Willow’s safety.
“I will tell ye, lass, there is still quite a bit of animosity between our clans. Me people will likely nae take too kindly to the fact that I have decided to keep ye as somethin' other than a trade.”
Willow stiffened, but after a brief flash of consideration, she looked up at him again with a severe furrow to her brows.
“What do ye suggest, Laird Brahanne?” The tone was slightly teasing, but they both understood the seriousness of the situation.
“True or nae, yer reputation has been tarnished by what yer brother has said.
People will likely nae think to challenge his word, considerin' ye were staying with me for a time. And, as much as I am laird, there is only so much I can do to ensure me clan will leave ye be. Uprisings are possible, after all.”
Willow eyed Keegan, her brows rising. “I hear ye. So, please present yer proposal that ye have so clearly already cooked up.”
He had to chuckle at that. The lass could see through him very well, and, of course, he did have one way that he knew her security would be all but guaranteed.
“A marriage could solve all these issues for us. One of convenience, certainly, but it would allow me to ensure yer protection. Ye are—unfortunately and due to yer brother—unlikely to receive one from another suitor, but I ken the truth, and I am nae promised to anyone.”
Her jaw dropped open once more, and Keegan could see the astonishment playing out over Willow’s expression as plain as day.
“Keegan, ye cannae…” Willow began, her words tumbling over each other, “Yer wife? What of yer own wishes? Daenae ye wish to marry for…for love?”
A hard chuckle cut out from Keegan’s mouth, and he shook his head with a roll of his eyes. “That was hardly a likely fate for me at any point in me life. I am a laird, Willow. Marriage to me holds certain advantages and demands certain things as well. That is why this is so perfect.”
“I daenae take yer meanin'.” Willow’s brow was knitted together with concern.
“Ye will be protected as me wife, and I willnae have to give over anythin' I daenae wish to part with as Magnus has already relinquished ye, and we would be doing this without his blessin'.”
Realization spread over Willow’s face, along with not a small amount of resignation. She knew that this was the best course of action to ensure her safety and well-being, though. She had to.
“I…” Willow faltered and shook away the thought, offering up another in its place. “When will we need to—”
“As soon as possible, I think. The sooner ye are bound to me, the sooner the clan will have to accept yer place and find somethin' else to do with any stray animosity for ye.”
Keegan watched intently as the wheels in Willow’s mind spun. He could see her putting together the pieces—intelligent lass that she was. This was the only way to guarantee an alliance with her and his clan. Magnus wouldn’t be part of this, but Willow was still his sister.
If Keegan wanted to keep her safe from any violence or retaliation for Melissa’s abduction, he needed to prove to the clan that she was no longer a part of the McCallums, and the best way to do that had always been with a marriage.
Willow had to understand that as much as he did.
“I agree to yer terms, Laird Brahanne.” Willow stared straight into his eyes, into his soul. “I will marry ye as soon as we are able.”
Keegan just nodded once before reaching for Willow’s forearm and clasping it against his own.
“Good. It is settled then.”