Forever and Beyond: Highland Hearts Afire - Time Travel Romance by B.J. Scott

Author:B.J. Scott [Scott, B.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Duncurra LLC
Published: 2017-05-22T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

“Smile, Catriona. At least try to look like you are enjoying my company, MacConnery whispered. “People are staring at us. A woman betrothed is usually elated about her upcoming nuptials. Not looking like she has just eaten a bowl of sour fruit.”

His breath smelled of whisky, and judging by his flushed cheeks, the dark circles around his eyes, and slight slur when he spoke, he was well in his cups. She had no idea how long he and Lord Grant had been drinking before she arrived, but guessed it had been for a long time.

“Well?” His brow dipped and the tone of his voice deepened. “Are you going to smile or na?”

Despite a strong aversion to doing this man’s bidding, she forced a grin and spoke through pursed lips. “And what do women do if they are not happy about being promised to a man they don’t love?”

“Love?” Lord MacConnery glared at her. “What has that to do with marriage?” He reached beneath the table and clasped the hand she had resting on her lap. “A man like me marries for two reasons and a useless sentiment is na one of them.”

“Then why do you wish to marry me?”

He forcefully squeezed her hand until pain shot to her wrist and she let out a soft whimper. “I wasn’t aware I needed a reason. But if you must know, I admire and collect fine things. I find seeking out and acquiring items of great beauty, often objects I must work to obtain or that present a challenge to be quite exhilarating.”

“I’m a person, not an object,” she whispered.

“Women were put on this earth to please men and do their bidding, be it in bed or in public.” He leaned closer and nipped at her neck. “The other reason is purely business. I am a wealthy man, but to get there, I had to enter into arrangements with people that I might not normally associate with. Do some things people might deem unsavory. But it was all worth it in the end.”

His comments caused a shiver to run up her spine, and she could help wondering what arrangements he was referring to. Her suspicions about him being a ruthless, horrible man were true, as were the things recorded in Catriona’s journal.

“You and my father have been friends for years. And you are much richer than he. I am sure there are plenty of men with much larger estates and with daughters who are far more beautiful than I. Men that can offer you better business opportunities.” She tried to wrench free of his grasp, but he held her tighter.

“True, but our union makes the alliance between you father and me stronger. We both benefited, as did those I am associated with. I paid him a fair price for your hand, and in return, I get a bewitchingly beautiful, spirited woman to warm my bed and bear my heirs.”

“You think you can buy me like you would livestock?” Anger bubbled up from her belly and if he wasn’t holding on to her arm, she’d have likely slapped the bugger’s face.

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