Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN

" W hat did ye say?" Murdoch tripped on the rug as he spun around to face Eloise, one hand flying to the mantelpiece behind him to keep him upright. The stone was warm because of the fire, hot beneath his fingers. "Eloise?"

She did not look at him but stared somewhere into the distance of the room. With one arm looped around the bedpost, she leaned into it, her face set in sadness as she chewed on her lips.

"Eloise?" He released the mantelpiece and crossed toward her. "Dae ye nae realize what ye just asked me?"

"I asked ye how badly ye wanted that convenient marriage."

"Ye are asking me tae be yer husband." He gestured to her with both of his palms, so stunned he could not think straight. Many questions ran through his mind, one after the next baffling him.

Is that why she kissed me again? Daes she hope for something more in this? Surely nae! What is she playing at?

"I am saying that ye and I could marry fer convenience, Murdoch," she whispered, so quietly it was as if she were afraid to say the words. When she hung her head a little, adopting another one of those infuriatingly demure looks, he reached for her. Gently taking her chin, he urged her to lift her head and look him in the eye. "What?"

"I am checking ye are in earnestness." His tone was as quiet as her own. "This is madness, for ye and I."

"Is it?" She wrinkled her nose. "Ye have nae wish tae marry a woman ye could care for, that is what ye have just declared, and I have nae cause tae marry at all." She shrugged her shoulders, as if they were talking about something simple, such as whether she wished for a glass of meade, not marriage.

"Why nae?" He released her chin but did not step back from her. "Eloise, ye…" He trailed off, his eyes darting down her. She was incredibly desirable, that was something he could not deny. Any man would be lucky to have such a beautiful wife, not to mention she was kind too, and sweet in nature. "Ye could be a happy wife tae a man someday."

"Ye think I trust men after the job I have had?" She scoffed, shaking her head minutely before she rested it on the bedpost once more. "I have seen what men are capable of, what they… try tae dae." Her inference made him stand taller. He thought of the number of times he'd seen that pathetic-looking dagger at her belt, everything falling into place.

"That dirk," he whispered. "Ye carried it fer a reason."

"Aye." She nodded. "Ye think I am interested in marrying a man I am foolish enough tae fall in love with? Nay. That doesnae interest me. Yet I have tangled myself in knots with the choices I have made." She hung her head once more. He stepped forward, wishing she would lift it of her own accord. He came so near that apparently, she had no choice. Her chin lifted just a few inches, those blue eyes darting to meet his. "I will hide what I have done until my death. If that means marrying a man fer convenience, I am happy tae dae so. This was tae be my last job regardless, so I am free of it then for good. It is an option, is it nae?"

Murdoch couldn't think clearly, certainly not enough to speak at this time.

He had many questions he wished to ask her. He felt anger curling in his gut at the idea that a man might have tried to force affection from Eloise. It disgusted him, and he would have gladly met any man that tried to do so and beaten them until they were limp. He also wished to know why this was her last job. What more was there to all her secrets?

"How many cruel clients have ye had over the years, Eloise?" he asked, his voice soft.

"Enough tae tell me what a lot of men are like." She released the bedpost and walked around him, crossing the floor a little. He followed her, finding he could not let the matter go. "Suffice it tae say that marriage isnae something that particularly excites me."

"Nae at all?" He couldn't resist. He stopped behind her and moved his lips to her neck. Part of her hair had fallen down from her updo, so he pushed it to the side and lingered his lips near her neck. "I felt ye respond tae those kisses, Eloise. Ye are nae immune. That isnae a bad thing."

She shuddered, though he barely touched her at all. When she didn't pull away, he hoped that she shuddered from excitement and not fear.

"I have made me decision." She stepped forward slowly and turned to face him, that near touch disappearing between them. "I am willing tae make this a marriage of convenience. What are yer thoughts?"

"I…" He huffed and looked down, his hands moving to his hips.

I need tae think.

"We'd both get what we want," she reminded him.

"Aye, I'm aware of that." As he thought, she mirrored his stance, hands on hips as they stared at one another. "It would mean being married tae me, Eloise. Are ye certain ye could put up with me? The last few days have convinced me that I am hardly yer favorite person in the world."

"Nae are ye the most dreaded company either," she said with a smile. "Ye and I certainly argue a little –"

"A little? Hah!" he scoffed loudly. "Ye and I couldnae make peace if an angel walked into the room and attempted tae broker it."

"We arenae that bad."

"We are."

"Arenae."

"Dae I need tae point out ye are even arguing with me on this point?" He gestured between the two of them. She shifted, changing her arms to fold them across her chest. It made his eyes dart down to the cleavage line of her red gown, finding it far too distracting not to look at.

That gown…

She was particularly beautiful in that dress. It emphasized her slim curves, and the corset was something he could not think of, wanting to rip it off her to see exactly what she looked like without it on.

Stop it!

"Well, ye have my thoughts on the matter," Eloise said, drawing his attention to her face once more. "Ye must think of what ye want too."

Now, his mind went wild. If they were married, there would be no barrier between them, and certainly no obstacle to the two of them sharing themselves completely. The idea of seeing her without such a corseted gown on was infinitely more possible, even more alluring.

He imagined himself backing her up against the wall behind her now, pressing their bodies together as he explored her. As he ripped off the gown and that corset, would she moan as he explored her? If he touched her, kissing down her chest and taking one of her areoles in his mouth, would she moan and urge him on? Maybe cling to his hair as he did so?

"Murdoch?"

"Ah, I'm thinking." He turned away from her, walking around her in a small circle as he wracked his brains, trying to think what to do.

If he married Eloise for convenience, she might never share her body with him. That would mean producing an heir to the clan would be entirely on Clyde's shoulders.

That is nae bad thing. Maybe even Clyde could be laird someday.

The possibility was a comforting one, something that warmed Murdoch. There was also the possibility that maybe he and Eloise would be physical someday.

As long as nae feelings were involved. I willnae risk affection fer her.

"Aye." Murdoch abruptly turned back to her. It was so sudden that she wobbled on her toes, and he realized that she had followed him a little in his pacing circles around the room.

"Aye, what?"

"Aye, maybe we should be married fer convenience." He held up a hand to her. "But this would be just like our business deal before. It is simply a matter of each of us having what we need from one another. Our secrets stay hidden, and neither of us would be forced intae marriage with others."

"Aye. It sounds like a deal tae me." She offered his hand to her, ready to shake.

He took it, without hesitation, and shook firmly. Her hand was small, and petite compared to his own. He could grow accustomed to such a delicate touch, all too easily. It was a far cry from the ruthlessness of the battlefields.

"Then we are agreed." She smiled and released his hand, taking that soft touch with her.

A knock at the door drew their attention.

"Who is it?" Murdoch called.

"It is I," the Irish accent of the healer called from beyond the door. "I believe ye sent fer me, sir?"

"Oh." Eloise affected another fainting fit. Murdoch hurried to catch her, wrapping an arm around her waist before she could drop to the floor.

"Come in!" Murdoch called as he lifted Eloise into the air, trying not to make it seem as if she had recovered from her fainting spell implausibly quickly. "I am glad ye are here, Wilson," he called as the old healer stepped through the doorway. "I fear me betrothed has had a little too much liquor, but I'd like tae be certain."

"Of course, let's take a look at her. Please, lay her down on the bed."

Murdoch carried Eloise to the bed, all too aware of the feeling of her in his arms. She was soft, easy to carry, and something in what he had said startled his own mind.

My betrothed, that is what I called her. It seems that is what she truly is now.

As soon as the healer was done with his check of Eloise, he left the room. Eloise had enacted coming around slowly and was sat up on the pillows, drinking from a small cup of tea that the healer had pressed into her hands. She sat with her legs curled under her, staring at Murdoch as he prepared for bed.

"Well, a lot has happened tonight," she said conversationally as he stepped into the garderobe to wash. He splashed his face and when the water dripped down his waistcoat, he pulled it off, popping open the buttons. "Tae think of Avery's face when he entered the room… oh, what are ye doing?"

Murdoch dropped the waistcoat to a nearby coffer and reached for his shirt, pulling it over his head.

"I am performing a jig. Eloise. What does it look like I am doing?"

"Aye, yer wry tone is as humorous as ever," she said with equal dryness. He smiled and glanced over his shoulder at her, seeing that she was staring at his bare back. Her hand appeared to tremble around the teacup as she raised it to her lips. "Ye are undressing."

"I am preparing fer bed."

"Ye can sleep in yer clothes."

"And be uncomfortable? Nay." He kicked off his boots and grabbed a fresh pair of trews to sleep in. Taking pity on how flushed her face was, he crossed behind the changing screen and swapped his trews, returning in time to see she had sat forward off the pillows, her face even redder than before. "What is it, Eloise?" He couldn't help smiling, noticing what had made her so distracted.

She now had a full view of his chest, and it seemed to have rendered her unable to talk.

"I have never kenned ye speechless." He laughed warmly as he walked toward the bed. "Are ye this innocent ye have never seen a man without a shirt before? I thought ye said ye had some nasty clients in yer time."

"I didnae let them get anywhere," she said with vigor, moving to her knees as she shifted on the bed. "It's just…" She trailed off, waving a hand at him as her eyes darted over him. He waited for her to continue, cocking his head to the side. "I…" She tried again but failed once more. "Oh, ye are infuriating." She turned suddenly on the bed, putting down her cup on a small table and standing.

"What? I didnae say anything on this occasion. I am simply standing before ye without a shirt. If ye are tae be me wife, then it is something ye should get used tae. I sleep without a shirt." He nodded down at the bed as she turned to look back at him. "Ye should also get used tae sharing me bed. I willnae have ye getting a bad back sleeping in that chair again."

"I willnae be sharing yer bed!" She waved her hand madly toward the covers.

"Tae sleep, Eloise. Nothing more." Though his mind was wild now. Fearing his thoughts would make his body react, he reached for the furs and pulled them back, allowing him to slip under the covers. "Ye will have tae grow accustomed tae it."

"Ye are so tall and broad, ye take up most of the bed anyway." She narrowed her eyes once more.

"Ye are so small, we should be fine," he retorted, smiling in victory.

She huffed loudly and walked away to the garderobe, to wash her own face and prepare for bed. When she took many minutes, being rather heavy handed with her ablutions, Murdoch had to bite the inside of his mouth not to laugh.

There was something entertaining about Eloise's extent of innocence. She had done well to avoid men pushing her, bearing in mind what her job had been. She had clearly done very well indeed to blush so much when he took his shirt off. It made him wonder what it would be like to introduce her to other things. How much would she blush if he lifted that skirt of hers and showed her what a man could truly do?

When she returned, she still wore her gown. Rather than heading straight to the bed, she paced a little more.

"Take the chair and I will simply pick ye up and return ye tae the bed," he said with full warning, staring at her without blinking.

"Ye wouldnae dare." She lifted her head high.

"Nay?" He smiled a little. "I would, dinnae doubt me. We've already proven tonight I can lift ye easily." She turned away as he considered the feeling of her in his arms. She was light to carry, very easy indeed, and she slotted perfectly against his chest.

Eloise crossed toward the screen with a night rail. She spent many minutes untying the dress, clearly struggling with the number of laces.

"Do ye wish me tae call a maid?"

"Nay," she whispered.

"Then… would ye like my help?"

"Nay!"

He couldn't hold back his soft chuckle this time.

"Some husband and wife we'll be."

When she still didn't return and huffed once more, struggling, he abandoned sitting in the bed and climbed out, moving toward the screen. He halted on the other side, resting a hand on the very top.

"Ye want that help yet?" he asked, waiting for her answer. There was a beat of silence before she sighed.

"Aye. Please."

Slowly, Murdoch stepped around the screen, wary of what he'd find. In this part of the room, the light of the fire did not reach the pair of them so easily. She was cast in shadows, though he could still make her out.

She'd shed the gown, but it was clearly the corset she was struggling with. She had her back to him, her hands on her narrow waist, with her hair tumbling around her shoulders. She had managed to knot the laces at her back.

"Do me a favor? Untie them and dinnae say anything."

He was happy to oblige, fearing just how dry his mouth had been made by the sight of her in this way. He reached for the knots and loosened them, before pulling her free of the corset. He was only afforded a view of her back and the white chemise that clung to her form and her rear. When his length twitched at the sight of her, he retreated fast, crossing the room back to the bed.

Ye'll drive me mad, Eloise.

He clambered into the furs and waited for her to appear, vowing to himself that if she attempted to sit in the chair, he would hold true to his promise to carry her to the bed. When she stepped out, she seemed to debate what to do, looking at that chair and considering it.

"Eloise?" Murdoch whispered and tutted, playfully.

"Infuriating. That's what ye are," she repeated her earlier words, with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders and covering her torso in the night rail. She crossed the room toward him and climbed into the bed, but she would not lay down straight away.

Murdoch was comfortable, with his hand under his head as she started stuffing pillows between them.

"Ye think a pillow wall would do much good regardless?" he asked.

"It is something."

"It is nothing." He took a pillow and tossed it to the side, laughing when she objected loudly.

"Murdoch!" She snatched up a pillow and replaced the gap in her wall. "It's for my own peace of mind."

"Aye, very well, but ken this." He lifted his head, just enough to peer at her over the wall. "If we are tae marry fer convenience, I wouldnae touch ye at night unless ye asked it of me. I give ye me word on that." With these final words he rolled over and sought out sleep, frustrated when he found Eloise was as present in his dreams as she was in his bed.