tered.
“Aye, I’ve signed Trotternish over to ye, Aileanna, as part of yer dowry when ye wed Rory.”
Chapter 24
“But . . . I’m not . . .”
“Here.” Rory wrapped her hand around a goblet of ale.
“Drink.”
She took a deep swal ow and turned to him. “I don’t un
derstand why you’re not happier about this. I thought it’s what you wanted.”
“Aye, I want to wed you, but no’ like this. I’l no’ have you forced.”
“Oh.” Relief loosened her tense muscles—he stil wanted her. For a minute there, she’d thought he’d changed his mind. And now, Alasdair had put her in a position where her de
cision would affect the lives of Rory’s clan—again. It would be so easy just to agree to the marriage. She loved Rory, more than she’d thought possible, but she didn’t want to always wonder if he felt forced into the marriage, obligated to offer her his name and his protection because of the fairies. And now the matter had been complicated further. If Rory didn’t marry her, they would battle over Trotternish, risking the lives of him and his clan. But if she did marry him, how would she ever know for certain what truly was in his heart?
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Ali pushed her chair from the table. “Alasdair, I need to have a word with you.”
“Aye.” He rose slowly and took Ali by the elbow, a look of confusion in his bright blue eyes.
“Use my study,” Rory suggested, watching her closely.
“Aileanna,” Alasdair said as they left the hal , “I thought
’twould make ye happy.”
She squeezed his hand, opening the door to Rory’s study. “I know, and it was a lovely gesture, but—” She sighed. “If I tel you something, wil you promise not to say a word to Rory?”
“Aye, on my honor.” They entered the study and he took the chair opposite her.
“I love Rory,” she said, then grimaced. “I’m sorry, he was married to Brianna and—”
He patted her hand. “Doona’ worry aboot it, my pet. Say what ye wil .”
“I know he loves me, but when he spoke of marrying me he didn’t say anything about love, only obligation and responsibility.”
“That doesna’ sound so bad to me, lass.”
She blew out a frustrated breath. Were al highlanders the same? “Maybe not, but I need more. I don’t want to be just another responsibility to him . . . like his clan. Re
member how you said Brianna felt Rory would never be able to put her first? Wel , that’s how I feel, and it’s not good enough.”
Alasdair grinned. “Yer more like my wife than I first suspected. I made matters worse, didna’ I?”
“A little,” she admitted.
“Tel me this—when ye feel certain of the lad’s commit
ment to ye, and he comes around to askin’ in the manner ye hoped, wil ye say aye?”
Ali snorted. “He didn’t ask me, he told me.” She nar
rowed her gaze at the glimmer of amusement in his eyes.
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“Don’t you dare laugh, but the answer to your question is yes. He’s the only man I’l ever want.”
“Al right then, here’s what we’l do. I’m goin’ to gift Trotternish to ye, and ye can do with it what ye wil . I ken I shouldna’ have revoked Brianna’s dowry. ’Twas no’ right, and she wouldna’ be happy with me fer doin’ it, but you canna’ tel the lad.”
“No, I won’t tel him,” Ali said, rising to her feet at the same time he did. “And I was about to refuse your gift as too generous, but seeing as how you’re using me to save face, I won’t.” She tapped her finger on his broad chest.
“Yer as canny as ye are bonny, my pet. Truly a fright
enin’ combination in a woman. I almost feel sorry fer the lad.” He chuckled, taking her by the arm. “Shal we share the news with the clans?”
She reached up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
“Nay, ’tis I who should thank ye,” Alasdair said as they left the study and returned to the hal . Alasdair careful y settled her into the chair beside Rory, but remained standing. Rory frowned, looking to Ali as though she had the answer. The older man banged his goblet on the trestle table. “If yer laird wil permit me, I have an announcement
