Chapter 3
Her breath caught in her throat as his words sank in. Katie hadn’t expected such a demand, and her heart raced as she tried to process what he was asking. The intensity in his eyes left no room for doubt: he was deadly serious.
“Five nights,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
“Aye,” Aiden confirmed, his tone unyielding. “And in return, I’ll play along.”
Katie swallowed hard, her mind racing with the implications of his demand.
What kind of man would demand such a thing from a young lady? What was his motive? Surely, he couldn’t expect her to just give herself to him?
I can’t accept it. I can’t do this for a stranger, no matter how handsome he is.
But what choice did she have? She could see no other way out, no other means of avoiding the ruin her mother was so carelessly courting.
With a shaky nod, she agreed. “All right. Five nights.”
Aiden’s gaze softened just slightly, as though acknowledging the gravity of her decision. He reached out and took her hand in his, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to stand still. Katie’s heart thudded in her chest as she stared up at him.
The warmth and roughness of his hand around hers made her body hum with unexpected desire. His touch lit a fire in her belly, causing her to blush furiously, and making the cool air of the garden disappear amidst steamy fantasies of this barbarian’s hands all over her bare flesh.
What kind of things would be expected of her?
What would she have to do? What if he was a bad man?
A brigand, or a desperate lord in search of a comely mistress?
Would he make her his mistress? What about her reputation?
Surely he had many other mistresses, and she would become just one of many.
He was so handsome and clearly wealthy. What if she was walking into a dangerous trap?
Before she could fully grasp the implications of their pact, a shadow fell across them.
“Ah, there you are, Katie!” her mother’s voice cut through the night, sharp and eager. Theodosia appeared from around the corner, her eyes gleaming as she approached them. “What are you two doing over here alone?”
Aiden turned to face the older woman, his expression calm and unreadable. Without hesitation, he spoke in a deep, authoritative voice. “I’ve decided to take Katie to Scotland for a month for our betrothal.”
Katie’s breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening in shock. “A month?!” she gasped, stepping closer to him in utter disbelief. “I thought I’d only be there for five days.”
Aiden leaned in, his lips curling into a faint, almost mocking smile. “Och, nay, lass. I didnae mean five consecutive days,” he murmured, his voice low and laced with a hint of amusement.
Katie felt the color drain from her face as the full weight of his words struck her. “But my virtue…” she whispered, her voice trembling with panic.
The thought of spending an entire month in Scotland, alone with him, sent her heart into a frantic rhythm.
Aiden’s expression remained unchanged, his eyes cold and unyielding. He leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered, “None of me concern. Should have thought of that afore ye made a deal with the devil, lass.”
Katie’s stomach twisted in knots as a wave of regret crashed over her.
She had been so desperate to escape her mother’s relentless matchmaking, so frightened of being forced into a marriage she didn’t want, that she had recklessly agreed to his terms. Now, the reality of her situation was sinking in, and it was terrifying.
Before she could respond, her mother’s voice cut through the tension once again. “What are the two lovebirds talking about?” she inquired, her tone light but her eyes narrowing in suspicion as she studied them.
Aiden straightened, his grip on Katie’s hand firm and possessive as he turned to face her mother. “We were just discussin’ our plans for the future,” he said smoothly, his voice carrying an air of finality. “We’ll be leavin’ for Scotland tomorrow.”
Katie’s heart skipped a beat, panic flaring in her chest as she turned to face him. “Tomorrow?” she echoed, her voice filled with disbelief. She hadn’t expected things to move so quickly, hadn’t had time to think or prepare for the impact their arrangement would have.
“Aye, tomorrow,” Aiden confirmed, his tone once again leaving no room for argument.
He glanced down at her, his eyes gleaming with a mix of challenge and something else—something that sent a shiver down her spine.
Theodosia clapped her hands together in delight, her face lighting up with unbridled joy.
“Oh, how wonderful! I always knew you would find a suitable match, Katie,” she gushed, completely oblivious to her daughter’s inner turmoil.
“Scotland will be the perfect place for the two of you to get to know each other better.”
Katie wanted to scream, to protest, but the words wouldn’t come.
She felt as if the ground beneath her feet had shifted, as if she was being swept away by a current she had no control over.
Her mother’s satisfaction was palpable, her approval finally within reach, but at what cost? What had she agreed to?
Aiden’s grip on her hand tightened, and she felt the weight of his presence beside her, a reminder of the deal she had made. She was trapped, bound by her own desperation and his unwavering determination.
As her mother continued to chatter excitedly about wedding plans and the joys of Scotland, Katie could only stand there, her mind whirling with fear and uncertainty. Tomorrow, she would be leaving for Scotland with a man she barely knew, bound by a promise she had no idea how to keep.
And there was no turning back.
Katie stared out the carriage window, the rolling hills of the countryside blurring into a monotonous green as the wheels turned beneath her. The soft clatter of hooves kept pace with her thoughts, which circled relentlessly around the events of the previous night.
The Laird, who was riding alongside the carriage on his powerful black horse, had barely spoken a word since they’d set off at dawn. His silence only fueled the resentment that simmered within her. How could a man so devastatingly handsome be so heartless?
As the sun reached its zenith, Aiden signaled for the carriage to halt.
The driver pulled on the reins, and the horses came to a slow stop.
Katie glanced at him, her resolve to ignore him wavering slightly as he dismounted and approached her side of the carriage.
His expression was unreadable, his blue eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her uneasy.
“We’ll stop here for a while,” he said, his voice deep and steady. “’Tis a long ride, and ye should stretch yer legs.”
Katie hesitated, unsure whether to take his offer seriously or not.
The idea of being outside the confined space of the carriage was tempting, but she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of seeing her comply.
She had spent hours stewing in her anger, replaying the moment he had seized her arm and dragged her into this mess.
With a slight huff, she made up her mind.
She reached for the carriage door, determined to exit on her own. Aiden, anticipating her struggle, extended his hand to help her down, but she resolutely ignored it. Her battered pride wouldn’t allow her to accept his assistance.
The moment her foot touched the ground, she lost her balance. The hem of her dress had caught on the carriage step, and she pitched forward with a startled cry. Before she could hit the ground, Aiden’s strong arms caught her, pulling her flush against his chest.
For a heartbeat, they were locked in place, her breath mingling with his in the cool air.
She could feel the hard muscles of his chest beneath her hands and the warmth of his body seeping through his clothes.
Their proximity was intoxicating, and for a fleeting second, she found herself lost in the depths of his blue eyes.
“A thank ye would have been nice,” Aiden murmured, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down her spine.
Katie quickly pushed herself away from him, her cheeks burning with a mix of embarrassment and anger. “I can’t thank you for turning my life upside down,” she snapped, taking a step back to put distance between them.
Aiden’s expression hardened, his jaw tightening as he folded his arms across his chest. “I never asked for a bride. That was all yer doin’.”
Katie’s temper flared. “Well, had I been aware of your scheme, I would not have agreed to sell my body just to avoid public humiliation,” she retorted, her voice shaking with frustration.
She hadn’t meant to blurt out such a harsh accusation, but the words spilled out before she could stop them.
Aiden’s eyes narrowed, and a dangerous glint sparked in their depths.
In an instant, he’d closed the distance between them, wrapped his large hand around her arm, and pulled her close to him.
The air between them crackled with tension as his face hovered inches from hers, their lips almost brushing.
“Is that what ye think I want ye for?” he growled, his voice thick with barely restrained anger.
Katie’s breath hitched in her throat as she stared up at him, her blood pounding in her ears. She could see the fire in his eyes, feel the heat radiating from his body as he held her in place. The intensity of his gaze was overwhelming, and for a moment, she forgot how to breathe.
“Isn’t it?” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of her racing heart.
Aiden’s grip tightened, his eyes boring into hers as if searching for something deeper.
To her utter horror, in that instant, she wanted to be embraced by him.
She wanted to disappear into his warmth and protection, to feel his hands on her curves, and to taste those lips that dripped with disbelief.