Hearts of Highland Fire: A Steamy Scottish Medieval Historical Romance Collection by Ann Marie Scott

Author:Ann Marie Scott [Scott, Ann Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-01-23T00:00:00+00:00

14

In all her days, Ida had never felt as lost as she had right at this moment. The rain fell around her but she barely noticed it, her own heart locked in coldness and regret. How many times had she imagined Ian asking for her hand in marriage, scoffing in her own dreams and deciding that it would never happen?

Well, it had, but his reasoning was all wrong and it hurt.

For once, Ida was grateful for the rain and Ian’s silence, not wanting to relive the pain all over again. She had yet to give him an answer and she could see the bewilderment on his face the moment she had suggested they go back to the stables. He would be asking for her answer, and heaven help her, Ida was torn. On one hand, if she said yes, she could be his wife. She could help him secure the peace he longed for and give her uncle another life away from his former clan.

On the other hand, she would be marrying for the very reason she had fought against.

She wanted love.

She wanted affection.

She wanted a husband who adored her, who she could laugh with, whisper with, grow old with. Now Ian was all those things or at least he could be, but he clearly was not looking for those things in his marriage.

He wanted a partner, nothing more.

Sucking in a tortured breath, Ida pulled her horse to a stop and climbed off, leading the soaking-wet mare into the warm stable. Ian followed her but said nothing as she started to remove her saddle and wet blanket, rubbing down Cotton’s body with a dry rag.

“Ida.”

Ida stilled at the sound of his voice, panic like no other settling in her chest. She could order him out, but he would only come back and that wouldn’t solve anything for her.

So she lifted her head, meeting his gaze. “Wot?”

“Ye didna answer mah question.”

“Oh,” she said innocently, her tongue suddenly too thick in her mouth. “I had forgotten.”

Ian looked as if he didn’t believe her for one moment and Ida wasn’t so sure she believed herself. He moved toward her and Ida backed up until she couldn’t any longer, feeling the rough wood against her back and poking her through her coat. “Donna be afraid Ida,” Ian was saying, his gaze softening. “Tis wot we both want.”

“I’m not afraid,” she forced out, nearly choking on the last word. “Ye donna frighten mah.”

The corner of his lips tipped up into a small smile. “Tis good tae know lass.” His hand reached out and cupped her cheek. “Tell mah why ye donna wish tae wed mah then?”

Ida’s skin warmed under his touch, shivering as his thumb brushed over her cheekbone. It was a simple touch, but something she had never experienced before and her lips parted, a breath escaping her lungs. “I, I donna wish tae wed for political gain.” There, she had said it, what was in her heart. She didn’t want to marry him if that was all that he wished for from her.

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