Chapter Seventeen

N ala stood in the middle of her bedchamber. The tangle of emotions didn't allow her to sit still, much less rest.

After spending time the night before trying to explain to her parents that she didn't wish to remain at the keep any longer and that any search for a compatible husband was a useless quest, they'd remained oddly quiet.

The entire time her parents had exchanged silent messages, looking at each other as if they knew something she didn't. It annoyed her when neither seemed particularly upset.

When she'd excused herself to go rest, they'd both kissed her and wished her a good night, neither seeming particularly bothered by her distress.

Their lack of reaction had made Nala angrier than she already was. Why did no one take her feelings into consideration?

Of course there was the fact that she'd not been able to fully explain why she'd left as it would mean divulging the night with Alexander.

Her father would insist they travel to the keep immediately and then demand Alexander marry her. Which was the reason she'd left the keep in the first place. She didn't want him to feel obligated to do something he didn't wish to.

Overhearing Alexander confiding to his brother that he felt forced to marry her had cut her deeply. At that moment, she'd realized she wanted more from him than he would ever be willing to give. It would be a heartbreaking quest to marry someone whose heart did not belong to her.

That he'd seemed resigned and his brother having to comfort him had almost crippled her. She'd had to dash away before hearing more as it would have certainly shattered her heart.

All night she'd tossed and turned unable to sleep as the words she'd heard repeated in her head. Now she could barely remember what exactly was said, had he said he'd marry her out of duty? Or had he said he was forced to because of what had occurred between them?

Either way, she'd never marry him when he would only do so out of duty.

Never would she marry Alexander knowing his feelings were not as deep. After all, it was not his fault. A person can't help how they felt about another.

She went to the mirror and peered at her reflection. It was quite obvious she'd not slept well, her eyes were puffy and red. For the first time in her life, she'd cried over a man. How silly was she?

"Nala?" her mother called from the other side of the door. "Are ye up and dressed?"

"I am."

The door opened and her mother came in. Dressed casually in her favorite shade, a mossy green, her mother looked beautiful.

She came to her and enfolded Nala in her arms. "My girl. All will be well, ye will see. Dinnae fret. Come downstairs."

Nala hugged her mother close. "I will," Nala said fighting tears. "Let me just brush my hair."

It was a quick moment to pull her hair up and pin it in place. Satisfied that she looked presentable enough, she went down to find her parents.

The front room was empty, so she peered in the kitchen where Cook was preparing a tray of food. The woman gave her a warm smile. "Yer mother is in the garden. She asked that ye go to the parlor."

Obviously, the parlor would be where they'd discuss her options. Her mother would suggest she marry a Grant, or perhaps someone else and she would have to argue against it. After the night with Alexander, she couldn't imagine having to bear another man's touch. At least not for some time. She needed time to heal.

She went toward the parlor, in her mind prepared for the conversation that would come. Letting out a sigh, Nala considered that life alone in the house wouldn't be so bad. Perhaps her brother and his wife—when he married—would come to live there and she'd have future nephews and nieces to care for.

Upon entering the parlor, she took a breath and lifted her gaze. In the room stood Alexander. Dressed in riding clothes, a tunic, breeches, and tall boots, looking every inch a warrior. His hair had been shorn short, which accentuated his angular features, strong jawline, and slashes for eyebrows.

He watched her without speaking, waiting for Nala to say something, but words eluded her. Instead she continued to study him, from the wide expanse of his shoulders to his broad chest, trim waist, and powerful legs.

"Nala. Why did ye leave?" He watched her closely as if he had the ability to tell if what she said was truth.

Nala let out a breath and managed what she hoped was a bland expression. "I felt it was time to return home. My being at the keep has been an utter waste of time."

"Do ye truly believe that?" There was something in the way he looked at her. Was it hurt? No, he didn't care that much. She'd heard what she'd heard.

Nodding, she met his gaze. "I mean as far as finding myself a husband. I can find one here just as well. There is nae need for yer family to continue to host me."

"Is what happened between us the reason for ye leaving?"

The question caused her cheeks to heat, so Nala turned away. "Aye, a bit. Not a regret, just that I would never wish ye to think I hoped to trap ye into marriage. I dinnae wish to be married to someone who does it out of obligation or duty."

Alexander neared. She could hear his breathing just behind her and for a moment she closed her eyes. When she turned, he was much too close, but taking a step back would show weakness, which she was too stubborn to show. "I am well, Alexander. There was nae need for ye to come."

"What if I am not?" His eyes took her in, lingering on her lips. "What if I said that I want ye there… with me?"

She flattened her hand on the wide expanse of his chest. "Ye dinnae have to say such things. I ken how ye really feel. I admire yer sense of duty. Ken that I would never hold ye to do what ye consider to be yer obligation. I will find a husband when I am ready and I'm sure it could be soon."

"Is that so?" he asked, his right eyebrow arching. "So ye have a man in mind already?"

Of course she didn't. Nala tried to come up with something to say. Finally she gave up and glared up at him. "Alexander, there is nae reason for ye to be here. We are and will always be friends."

For a long moment, he looked down at her with an unreadable expression. Perhaps annoyance.

He took her by the shoulders and leaned down until their noses almost touched. "When ye eavesdrop, stay long enough to hear the entire conversation. Then perhaps ye would have heard that the reason I was so confused was because I've never been in love before. I believe that I love ye Nala and it scares me. Nae it terrifies me. Ye have the power to destroy me, and I am nae sure how to feel about it."

A combination of reactions were uncontrollable. Nala's mouth fell open, she gasped, and her eyes went so wide it almost hurt.

"Ye… love… me?" Her heart leaped with joy. At the same time, she wanted to run from the room and hide. The emotions that coursed through her were like nothing she'd ever experienced before.

"Aye, I do Nala. I love ye more than life itself. I cannae bare to be away from ye." Alexander pressed his lips against hers and she immediately threw her arms around his neck and kissed him back with all her might.

When he broke the kiss and looked at her, she could see the truth of his declaration.

"I understand that yer feelings may not be as strong," Alexander began but stopped when she put her fingers to his lips.

A smile curved her lips. "I am in love with ye. I ached physically when I heard ye say marriage to me would be a duty."

"It is nae a duty," Alexander said wrapping his arms around her and lifting her off her feet. "It will be all pleasure, I assure ye."

"Put my daughter down before ye drop her." Her father's firm command jolted Nala, and upon Alexander lowering her to the floor, she pushed away.

Her parents stood in the doorway. Her mother had an amused expression, her eyes twinkling with delight and her father attempted to look stern, but the slight curve of his mouth gave away his true feelings. Both were delighted by the turn of events.

Nala couldn't get her mind to settle. Was it truly possible that Alexander loved her?

Her father poured whiskey for him and Alexander, honeyed mead for Nala and her mother, and then motioned for everyone to sit.

Alexander calmly relayed to her parents that he'd fallen in love with Nala and wished to ask for her hand in marriage.

When Nala huffed, he slid a look to her. "If yer daughter accepts me, I wish to ken if ye are in agreeance," he clarified.

"Of course we agree," her mother exclaimed, not giving her father a chance to speak. "The lass is already feeling strongly for ye. I can tell by her ramblings last night."

"Ma!" Nala cried out. "Ye dinnae have to tell him everything."

Her mother waved her protests away and smiled at Alexander. "It would be wonderful to be part of the Ross family."

"Ye have my permission and blessing," her father said and slid a look to her. The warmth of his expression made Nala swallow. Oh, how she loved her gentle father.

Nala's mother motioned to Alexander. "It is a beautiful day. Both of ye, go out to the garden so ye can have a proper talk."

Walking out ahead of Alexander, Nala wanted to be elated and happy, but instead she felt jittery and nervous. She wished with all her might to hear everything he'd said again. At that moment it was like a dream.

On a table in the garden was a platter of food. Nala shook her head. Obviously even the cook was in the plot to get her married off.

She turned to Alexander. "Why did ye cut yer hair?"

"I didnae mean to. But was eager to come here and cut one side shorter than the other. Mother tried to fix it and gave up." He raked a hand through the longer strands in the front. "Do ye like it?" His smile was enchanting.

"Aye, I do. Ye look very different. I prefer it longer because it hides a bit more of yer bonny face."

"Ye wish to keep my face hidden then?"

Nala rolled her eyes. "I didnae say that. But it will help keep women's eyes from lingering."

"Ye are trying to distract the conversation. I want ye to agree to marry me." Alexander reached for her hand.

"I-I cannae think straight. I heard clearly that ye felt it was a duty."

Alexander closed the distance between them and lifted her face. His eyes bore into hers. "Ken this my Nala. Ye are the only woman I want in my bed from now on. I cannae bear the thought of ye with another. I may nae ken exactly what love is, but I think it has to be this."

Searching his eyes, she could see only sincerity.

"Tell me aye, Nala. Marry me. Be my wife."

She couldn't deny him. No matter the reasons, he was her weakness. Nala let out a shaky breath. "Ye overwhelm my senses, ye stubborn Scot" She lifted to her toes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. "I will marry ye Alexander Ross. Ye best prove it is nae a bother or I will shoot ye with my bow and arrow."

Alexander laughed and once again lifted her off her feet. This time he turned in a circle making her giggle.

"I will prove to ye over and over, that ye are the only woman for me."

Nala wrapped her arms around his neck and melted against him. "I ken what love is."

"Do ye?"

"Aye. It is the feeling of coming home and never wanting to leave."

The wedding preparations kept everyone busy and to Nala's delight, her mother and Lady Ross were too preoccupied to pay her much mind.

Just as were the men in her life, both Alexander and her father were busy with council business, making it easy to slip away unnoticed.

Her horse stood next to a winding creek as she leaned against the trunk of a tree, her gaze on a group of Ross warriors riding past.

One of the men turned to scan the area, his senses honed by years of experience. Nala wanted to giggle when he looked in her direction but didn't see her. The pounding of her heart made it difficult to breathe when he nudged another warrior and said something.

They exchanged a few more words, both looking around for just a bit before continuing forward.

Nala tensed. They had to have seen her horse. She looked down to ensure the beast was still there. It was gone.

The beast was well trained and had never once wandered away. She wasn't high enough in the tree to see far, but scanning the area, she couldn't see the horse. It didn't help that the sun was setting casting long dark shadows through the trees. Her horse blended perfectly with the hues.

Climbing down, she landed softly on the ground and hissed out the horse's name.

"Shadow."

"Shadow," she called out a bit louder.

Annoyed at the beast, she stomped forward toward the creek. The horse was probably drinking water and then fallen asleep.

She found it just a few moments later, next to another horse and Alexander, who held its reins.

It was too late to hide her bow and quiver, so she lifted her chin and walked up to him. "Ye should nae take someone's horse without their permission."

His deep green eyes met hers. "And someone's betrothed should nae run off without telling anyone, just in case they…"—he looked up—"fall out of a tree."

Despite knowing he was right, she worried he'd forbid her outings. In truth, she'd not asked how he felt about it.

"I should have."

Seeming to read her thoughts, Alexander tipped her chin up with his finger. "I am aware ye require more freedoms than most women I ken. I would never change that about ye. However, as a laird's wife, we will have to discuss a compromise. Perhaps ye can foster young ones and teach them what ye ken."

Nala swallowed unable to believe how understanding he was being. "That is nae a bad idea."

He motioned to the area. "Ye are close enough to the keep, this area can be set apart for just that."

Unable to keep from it, she threw herself against him, her arms around his waist. "I truly love ye, Alexander Ross. Ye are to be the best husband ever."

He kissed her softly, then touched his forehead to hers. "Ye may not think that at all times. Especially when I tell ye that yer days as a rescuer are over. I will nae allow ye to put yerself in danger like that again."

Nala almost protested, but then thought better of it. She would never be able to sit idly by, at the same time, if the need arose, she could always ask for forgiveness.

"Stop thinking," Alexander said lifting her into his arms and lowering her onto the soft grass. "I can think of a better way to pass the time."