Kate Robbins - The Highland Chiefs Series 03 by Enemy of the Highlander Page A

“You have told him?”
    “Aye, I told you I would, and I have.”
    Her eyes went wide as she looked from Fergus to him and back again.
    “And you still live.”
    “He does for now,” Fergus said. “But I cannot protect him from the MacKenzie’s wrath if it rears its head. The man is a bear at the best of times.”
    Ronan grinned. A bear indeed. Had he ever considered his own countenance? Freya rolled her eyes at him. “I am being serious, Fergus. How do you plan to break the promise to the MacKenzie?”
    Fergus jerked his head in Ronan’s direction. “Ask him. He has it all worked out.”
    Ronan reiterated what he had said to Fergus, and had to swallow the lump lodged in his throat when, instead of smiling like he wished, she frowned.
    “You do not seem pleased,” Fergus said.
    “Have you asked Muren about her wishes? By forcing her to marry Rorie, you give her no choice.”
    He had not thought of that. He took it upon himself as his responsibility to look after her and their mother, though the latter would accept no assistance. Ronan was certain Muren would welcome life at Dunrobin.
    “I have not asked her, though considering her current lack of a home, I believe she will agree to this.”
    Freya turned to Fergus. “And you think Kenneth MacKenzie will agree to this?”
    “One thing that man loves is coin. I do think he will be swayed by the dowry, aye.”
    Ronan held his breath and waited. Freya worried her bottom lip with her teeth as she searched his face. He clenched his fists. Perhaps she was not as taken with the idea of marriage to him as he had thought. He held his breath and waited.
    “If you believe this will not cause a rift between the MacKay and MacKenzie clans, then I am in agreement,” she said after what felt like an age.
    Air whooshed from between Ronan’s lips. When he smiled at Freya, her cheeks pinked. He wanted her again. Would his body ever grow tired of wanting her? He could not imagine so.
    “Very well then,” Fergus said. “The MacKenzie is due to arrive on the morrow and I will speak with him then.” He then turned to Ronan. “If there is even a hint of a breakdown in our relationship, this agreement is forfeit and Freya marries Rorie as planned.” With those words he left the great hall.
    Ronan waited until he gone before moving to take the chair beside Freya.
    “You made me nervous just then.”
    “When?”
    “When it took you more than a heartbeat to jump at my solution.”
    “Ronan, you know I would not put myself above the wellbeing and needs of the clan.”
    “I do and it makes me love you and want you even more.” He leaned in to kiss the sensitive place behind her ear. “I want you again.”
    “Ronan, you cannot seduce me here,” she whispered and shifted away from him. “Until this matter is resolved, we must not be seen together.”
    “I understand your concern, but I cannot help wanting you. You walk into the room and all my thoughts turn to how and when I can get you out of your gown so that I can bury myself in your sweet flesh. You have possessed me, Freya.”
    Her breath quickened as she stared as his mouth. “We should be careful.”
    “Aye, we should and we will.” He pushed his chair out of the way and knelt before her. “But first, I must ask you a question.”
    His loins hardened further when she smiled. “Will you be my wife, Freya? Will you let me love you and cherish you for the rest of our days?”
    She flung her arms around his neck and nearly knocked him over. “Aye, Ronan. I will be your wife.”
    He buried his face in her neck and nipped her with his teeth. Her body’s resulting tremble had his heart thudding and his erection straining against his tunic.
    Freya flicked her tongue along his ear and he nearly came undone.
    “We need to find privacy. Now.”
    Ronan stood and was about to drag her to their secret chamber again when Fergus returned with Nessia in tow. He groaned. There would be no way they could sneak off together