Chapter 5
Raphael sat across from Jasper in the elegant study, the weight of their business conversation tangling with his racing thoughts of Keira. He struggled to keep his focus on the trade agreements and alliance strategies, the allure of their previous encounter still fresh in his mind.
It was all too insane, and yet, he hoped that Keira would accept his proposal. To him, it made perfect sense. He would kill two birds with one stone.
He would have some fun, which was, after all, what Keira herself wanted, and in addition to that, he would also rid himself of the prospects of marriage that had been looming over him like the sword of Damocles. Despite all of this, he tried to focus on the conversation he was having with Jasper.
“The changin’ dynamics of the region call for a strengthening of this alliance immediately.” Jasper nodded. “There have been whispers of unrest, and we must ensure the safety and prosperity of our clans.”
“I couldnae agree more,” Raphael said, leaning back into his leather chair opposite his friend. Keira was still in the back of his mind, but he was ready to delve into the intricacies of trade agreements and defense strategies that were crucial for their clans.
“Jasper,” he began. “We’ve seen a steady growth in trade over the years, but recent developments suggest that we need to fortify our trade routes further. I propose explorin’ new trade agreements with neighborin’ clans to diversify our tradin’ partners and reduce dependency on any single alliance.”
Jasper thought about it for a moment, then nodded in agreement, appreciating the strategic thinking.
“I wasnae a fan of depending on anyone before, hardly had any allies, to begin with… So, aye. Diversification is a wise approach. I concur. I’ll instruct our trade envoy to initiate discussions with potential partners.
We must also ensure the safety of our merchants and caravans durin’ these journeys. ”
Raphael was now fully immersed in the conversation. This was where he felt the safest, making sure that his clan was protected and taken care of. Jasper wanted to do the same, so it was easy to find themselves on the same page regarding all these issues.
“Absolutely,” Raphael continued. “Security is of the utmost importance. We could strengthen our patrols along the trade routes, establishin’ secure checkpoints and fosterin’ better communication with neighborin’ clans to share information about any potential threats.”
As they continued to discuss trade and defense, their synergy and shared vision became evident. They exchanged ideas on enhancing the training of their warriors, improving the infrastructure of their strongholds, and investing in advanced defense mechanisms to fortify their territories.
Jasper added, “In addition to physical defenses, we should bolster our intelligence network. Havin’ reliable information about the activities and intentions of neighborin’ clans will empower us to make informed decisions and act swiftly if needed.”
Raphael agreed, recognizing the importance of obtaining information. “Yes, intelligence is a powerful tool. We’ll work on strengthenin’ our network and buildin’ alliances with informants. Sharin’ information within our network of allies can only benefit us all.”
Their conversation continued, a symphony of strategic planning and shared goals. It was a testament to the strength of their alliance, where their collaboration and mutual respect for each other’s insights would undoubtedly lead to a safer and more prosperous future for their clans.
For a moment, Raphael managed to forget all about his meddlesome, matchmaking mother and the dangerous fact that there was a woman who had managed to capture his interest, without even realizing that she had unwittingly put herself in danger by doing so.
At that point, a soft knock echoed through the study, momentarily breaking the focused atmosphere.
“Aye?” Jasper lifted his gaze and directed it towards the door. Raphael did the same, wondering who it could be.
The door pushed open slowly, revealing Keira.
Raphael thought she would be surprised to see him there with Jasper, but on the contrary, her face revealed no surprise.
It was actually as if she had expected to find him there, and not only that, but she was there for him.
He almost smirked but managed to resist doing so.
“Ah, Keira.” Jasper smiled. “Is everythin’ all right?”
“Yes, yes, of course.” She nodded, sounding a bit confused.
“Everything is quite all right.” Then, her eyes found Raphael’s, and he could tell that he was right.
She did come here in hopes of finding him, and her next words proved it.
“I was actually hoping to have a few words with Laird MacCurtney if that is all right.”
She sounded dignified and highly official, as she addressed him not by his name, but by his title. It only titillated him even more.
Jasper took a quick glance at his friend, sensing the shift in the room’s dynamics.
“Ah, I see. A word alone, is it? Well, I shallnae intrude on private matters two people need to discuss.” With those words, he got up, walked around his mahogany writing table, and squeezed his friend’s shoulder in passing.
“Though I would expect ye both to behave.”
Keira blushed at Jasper’s attempt to joke, though Raphael saw it for what it was. A warning.
Moments later, Jasper left his study, leaving Keira and Raphael alone.
Raphael could tell that she was trying to find the right words to say exactly what was on her mind.
His own mind raced with a million possibilities, but one thing was certain.
She would accept his proposal. He was absolutely sure of it.
Otherwise, she would not be endeavoring to find the right words to refuse him. That made no sense.
He got up and walked over to her. He thought she would step back, and keep her distance from him, but she surprised him by staying put and staring him straight in the eye, defiant and rebellious as he had not seen before.
He wondered what else she was hiding inside that mind, and not only her mind but behind that lovely gown that she looked so tempting in.
He immediately remembered the previous evening, with her clad in only her nightgown, unapologetically desirable and breathtakingly beautiful.
“I have come to discuss your proposal.”
The tone of her voice brought him back to the present moment, but it was her perfume that titillated his senses into curious obedience.
“Have ye now?” he murmured, eyeing her from beneath his dark eyelashes.
He was noticing everything about her now, even the things he had not observed before, like that heart-shaped cluster of freckles on her right cheek, or how her lips pursed ever so slightly when she was thinking really hard about something.
She was absolutely mesmerizing, this woman. And that was the problem. It would have been far less complicated with someone less tantalizing. But then again, he would not be tempted to invite her to his castle if that were the case.
“Yes.” She nodded, clearing her throat a little as she spoke. She did this often when she was having a serious conversation, almost in an effort to make her melodious, angelic voice more commanding. “If we are to agree to this deal, I have some conditions of my own.”
It took him only a moment to nod. “That seems reasonable. What are they?” he asked, although he had a pretty good guess.
“Well, first of all, no one back in England can ever find out where I spent those two weeks,” she said hastily, in one breath. “Because that would mean my ruination.”
He nodded only once. He could understand that perfectly. As a woman, she had a much more difficult job keeping her reputation intact. It was an unfair arrangement, but that was the world they were living in.
“Anythin’ else?” he asked, before accepting.
“Mhm.” She nodded. “For those who will see me in your castle, we’ll need to find some other excuse. I can be your… friend.”
“Me friend?” He was unable to resist chuckling at her suggestion.
She, on the other hand, remained grave, and he had to admire her for it.
She was taking this as a real process of negotiation.
A part of him thought this would make everything less appealing, that by the time their conversation was over, he would wave his hand and retract his proposal.
Instead, their banter only made him want her more.
“Yes, your friend,” she confirmed. “It is the most plausible excuse I can think of right now.”
“All right,” he agreed. “Ye can be me friend, Keira.” He smirked.
And more, but we’ll discuss that when the time comes.
He bit his lip not to speak those words out loud.
“Oh, and the most important condition,” she added, her eyes sparkling like two diamonds in the night.
“I thought the first thing ye said was yer most important condition,” he pointed out.
“They are all important,” she returned. “But this one… protects me.”
“Ye think ye need protection from me?” he asked amusedly.
“It is your home,” she reminded him cleverly. “I will be at your mercy. Agreeing on certain terms makes me feel more at ease.”
“It is important for ye to feel at ease,” he teased, loving the way she blushed more and more with each passing second. “Tell me yer final, most important condition, Keira.”
He loved the way her name sounded on his lips. Each syllable of her name was a melody that resonated with warmth, with a promise of something forbidden, something he could not wait to find out. He savored the sound, letting it linger in the air between them like a sweet note of music.
“During those two weeks, we won’t do anything only married couples do,” she clarified, much to his disappointment. In fact, he could barely hide it. “So? Do we have a deal, Laird MacCurtney?”
“I’m Laird MacCurtney again?” he couldn’t help but ask her playfully.
“You are until you agree to my conditions,” she replied, with a hint of a smile that danced on the corners of her lips.
“So be it, then,” he finally acquiesced. “I accept yer conditions.”
Not all of them, though.
But that would be a bridge he would cross later. However, she seemed to have been able to read his mind.
“All of them?” she pressed.
He rolled his eyes. “All of them,” he agreed, nodding.
Again, he accepted all of her conditions, although he did not really agree with the last one. Still, she was coming with him, and that was enough, for now. He had two weeks to see where this would lead them. He could not wait to have her all to himself.
“If that is all, I advise you to speak to yer friends and let them ken of yer change of plans,” he pointed out. “We shall start late in the afternoon.”
“Is your home far away?” she asked.
“No,” he responded. “I just dinnae wish to travel in the dark, unless I have to.”
“Are you afraid?” she asked, and he knew what she was trying to do.
He took a step closer to her, their lips almost touching. The fragrance emanating from her was intoxicating. She was trying to regain control of the situation, but he was more than happy to remind her who was truly in control.
“Do I look like I’m afraid, lass?” he murmured, leaning even closer.
He knew that it looked as if he would kiss her right then and there, but that was a pleasure he wanted to reserve for a more special occasion, where he would have more time to not only savor the moment but turn it into something more.
“No, I just…” she started, but she had no words to finish. He liked that.
“While ye are with me, ye are under me protection,” he explained. “I will keep ye safe.”
But not from meself.
She took a quick step back, regaining her composure. “I can keep myself safe, thank you.”
“It is obvious ye are from the city, lass,” he pointed out. “Ye dinnae ken what danger looms in the Scottish Highlands after dark.”
She didn’t say anything to that. She merely lifted her turned-up nose a little higher and pursed her luscious lips at him. “I will go speak to my friends, then.”
“Ye do that.” He grinned.
She headed for the door, but the moment she was about to turn the knob, he added, “Dinnae be late, lass.”
She didn’t dignify him with an answer. Instead, she rushed outside, closing the door behind her, leaving him to the amusement of his thoughts of the upcoming two weeks.
Aye, the Scottish Highlands are indeed a dangerous place, lass.
He smirked, still gazing at the door.
But the danger is closer than ye think.