The Laird's Angel: a medieval fake engagement romance (The Highland Angels Book 2) by Caroline Lee

Author:Caroline Lee [Lee, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2020-01-30T16:00:00+00:00

Everything.

Yesterday—Sainte Vierge, had it only been yesterday her seduction had failed so spectacularly?—he’d told her he’d always speak the truth to her.

Could she trust him?

Aye, she could.

She wanted to know everything about him, but couldn’t ask it, not lying here in a strange bed, staring up at him as he loomed over her on one elbow. She had to narrow her questions to what mattered.

His loyalty to the throne?

That was why she was here, was it not?

The reason for this farce of a betrothal, the reason for her heartache and confusion and longing. She needed to discover if he was behind the assassination attempt.

What is it ye wish to ken?

“What happened to Simone’s mother?”

As soon as she’d blurted the words, she gasped, lifting one bandaged hand to her lips.

Bon Dieu, what had she done?

Lachlan, for his part, only looked slightly startled. Recovering far more quickly than she, he shrugged.

“I’m surprised ye donae ken already. From what I’ve heard, that maid of yers likes to gossip.”

How to take back her words?

“I shouldnae have—”

“Nay, ‘tis aright.” He offered her a smile—how had she never noticed how handsome he was when he smiled?—and settled his head on his palm once more.

When he rested his heavy hand against her belly, she realized he was preparing to tell her what she wanted to know.

She also realized she was suddenly very, very warm.

“I met Alice Stewart at the Bruce’s court. She was beautiful and refined and haughty. Every man there lusted after her, but my father convinced her da I’d make a sound husband. The betrothal contract was signed, and she came to An Torr.”

She counted in her head. “This would’ve been…seven years ago?”

“Aye.” His thumb began to draw little circles on the linen covering her belly. “Da was still alive then, of course. She, ah…” He huffed slightly, and she wondered if it was supposed to be a chuckle. “She and I saw no reason to wait for the vows. She was nae virgin, mind ye, and we had our fun together, since we were to be married soon enough anyway. Or so I thought.”

When he trailed off, she shifted under his hand. It felt so damn good to be lying here in bed with him, but she also needed to know more. “She became pregnant?”

“Aye.” When one side of his lips pulled up, it wasn’t quite a smile. “I was thrilled. She wasnae the kind of wife I would’ve picked, I’d come to realize, but a bairn…” This time his smile became genuine. “I’d always wanted to be a da, ye ken.”

“I didnae,” she whispered, transfixed by his smile.

“Aye, well…” His grin fell, and he shook his head, his gaze focusing on his hand where it rested on her belly. “When Simone was born, Alice told me she had no need for a girl child. A daughter couldnae become laird, couldnae cement her status.”

A sour taste settled in the back of Mellie’s throat as she realized Simone’s tale from this afternoon had been right. The lassie’s mother had left because she hadn’t loved Simone enough.

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