The Laird's Fairytale Bride by Lauren Royal & Devon Royal

Author:Lauren Royal & Devon Royal
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2016-01-20T22:00:00+00:00

ELEVEN

“T HERE’S A BONNIE loch near Leslie.” Seated on the blanket he’d brought—which he’d positioned as far from any flowers as possible—Cameron crossed his arms behind his head and leaned back against the trunk of a tree. “But not nearly as large as this one.”

Clarice smiled, watching Mary play with her friend Anne by the lake’s edge. “We are fortunate the marquess allows us to enjoy his park.”

Indeed, this patch of England was a sylvan scene, blue water lapping softly at green shores. Friendly swans roamed the gently sloped grassy banks, begging crumbs from the picnickers who sat shaded beneath the tall, leafy trees.

Before they’d eaten, the girls had begged dancing lessons from Cameron. Right there in the open, he’d taught them all a branle, the courante, an almain, and the English pavane. “Lady Kendra’s been busy,” he’d told Clarice.

Now, watching her lick the delicious stickiness of roast chicken from her hands made him envy her lucky fingers. She turned to the huge picnic basket he’d brought with him from the castle. “Lud, there’s enough food left to satisfy the entire village.”

He grinned. “I told Cook I needed to feed four ravenous folk.”

Sipping wine from a pewter goblet, she sent him a mock glare over the rim. “Are you telling me you didn’t prepare all this yourself?”

“Nay.” Cameron crossed his long legs. “I suppose you should know I cannot cook. That’s why I require a wife.”

Though he’d said it in jest, he was pleased to see she didn’t flinch at his words. Maybe she was getting used to the idea.

Tomorrow was the ball, and Sunday he’d be leaving for home.

The realization hit with a stab of desperation. He couldn’t leave her here. Whatever bond he’d felt upon meeting her, since then it had grown. He was more than certain of his feelings now.

Aye, he’d known her but a few days. Aye, it was daft. But he’d always been someone who knew what he wanted, and what he wanted was Clarice.

He suddenly reached to pull her to him, to hold her close, to kiss her doubts away, to convince her, once and for all, that she didn’t want to live without him any more than he did without her.

Her goblet fell to the ground and rolled down the mild slope. With her palms flat on his chest, she pushed away and sat straight. “I cannot.” Her words came in a harsh whisper. “I’m feeling too close, and…you’re leaving.”

She shot a glance to where the girls played by the water, oblivious.

“Clarice.” Fingers on her chin, he gently eased her gaze back to his. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but —sincerely, no jesting—I want to take you with me. If you didn’t believe it before, maybe you will now. You have to now, or it will be too late.” He studied her eyes, the gray bright with a sheen of tears. “Do you truly think it matters that you’ve years to your credit I haven’t lived?”

“No,” she whispered, looking resigned. “It’s—”

“You cannot believe you don’t deserve a baronet.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.