than being a nursemaid.”
“I wanted ye for myself as well,” he said, and touched the back of his fingers to her cheek. “I know it is important to ye that your husband is faithful. Is that part of what is making ye so miserable about the prospect of being married to me?”
Glynis dropped her gaze to her hands folded in her lap and nodded.
“Then I would give ye my promise that so long as we share a bed as man and wife, I’ll take no other.”
When he first spoke of marriage, he had only promised to be discreet in his affairs. He was willing to give her the promise she wanted now, but could she trust him? Even if Alex meant it now, would he still mean it in a month?
“I can’t do more than give ye my word on it.” He got to his feet and looked down at her. “I wish that were enough.”
If Alex had shouted at her and stormed off, Glynis might not have stopped him. But instead, he leaned down and kissed her cheek, a tender gesture that left her blinking back tears again. Then he turned and walked quietly toward the door.
As Alex said, he was the best of her choices, by far. But more than that, he was the only man she wanted. Was she brave enough to take the risk that he would hurt her? Was she strong enough to survive if he disappointed her? All Glynis knew for certain was that she could not bear the thought of him wedding another.
“Alex!”
When he turned around, his face, which was normally so full of humor, looked ragged.
“Ye were right. I did not fulfill my side of the bargain,” she said. “Since I said I would wed ye, I should not have done it begrudgingly. That was wrong of me, and I’m sorry.”
“Ye needn’t apologize,” Alex said, sounding tired. “I’ll go tell the others now, and I’ll have someone bring ye supper so ye don’t have to face them.”
When he started to leave again, she sprang to her feet. “Wait. Ye don’t understand me.”
“That’s true enough,” he said, giving her a bittersweet smile.
“What I mean is, I think we should marry,” she said in a rush. “I’ll make the best of it.”
He gave a dry laugh. “Make the best of something ye hate? Nay, that’s no good enough.”
“I want to marry ye, Alex,” she said, and it was the truth. With all her heart, she wanted him. “And I will try to trust ye.”
“Are ye certain ye want to go ahead with this?” His expression was solemn. “I told ye, I don’t want a trial marriage. My daughter already lost whoever raised her until now.”
Alex had told her that he wanted her for himself as well, and she would hang on to that. Though he would not be marrying at all if not for Sorcha, he must care for her a little.
Glynis quelled her doubts and nodded.
“All I ask is that ye make a peaceful home for me and my daughter.” Alex held out his hand, and when she took it he gave her a genuine smile. “Duncan has been entertaining everyone with his pipes, but let’s no keep them waiting any longer.”
* * *
“Ready?” Alex asked, as they stood together just outside the hall. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, then flung the door open.
The buzz of voices died, and every head turned toward them. In another moment, Duncan abandoned the mournful strain he had been playing and began a lively tune that sounded like pure happiness. When the MacDonalds broke into wild cheers, signaling their approval of the marriage, Glynis felt herself blush with pleasure.
Hope flooded her heart.
She smiled up at Alex as they walked hand in hand to the front of the hall. This time, they said their vows in strong voices and without hesitation. Then Alex gave her a kiss that caused the crowd to hoot and shout again. As soon as he released her, Sorcha, who had been standing with Sileas and Ilysa, threw her arms around Glynis’s waist.
And suddenly, Glynis had both a husband and a daughter. With Alex’s arm about her shoulders, her new daughter at her side, and all the MacDonalds giving her such a warm welcome, Glynis set her doubts aside and decided to enjoy her day of happiness.
Alex’s clansmen came up one after another to wish them well, giving them the traditional greetings.
Alex was laughing at something his cousin Ian had said when Glynis felt him go rigid beside her.
“So, ’tis true that ye let a lass catch ye,” a deep voice called out.
When Glynis turned to see who had spoken, she felt as if she were looking into the future and seeing Alex thirty years hence. The tall, fair-haired warrior could be none other than Alex’s father. Ach, it was a sin for a man to still be so handsome at his age.
“I caught her, Father,” Alex said, his voice as stiff as his back. “I am a lucky man.”
Alex said it with a fierceness that made it sound more like a challenge than an expression of good fortune.
“Ah, ye are a pretty lass,” his father said, giving Glynis a wink and taking her hands.
It was easy to see where Alex got his charm, but the older man had a hardness in his eyes that Glynis had only seen in Alex when he fought—and right now.
