Drake’s lips thinned. “That’s how he convinced her to marry ye.”
“Aye.” Ewan pulled the parchment from the desk drawer. “I dinna want her to do it, but I had no choice.”
“Faye has her own mind,” Drake replied.
Ewan chuckled. “Aye, she does that. But I wouldna put it past Ross to still try to get to yer sisters, especially Clara.”
Drake drew in a deep inhale. “She’s a good soul. Mayhap too good. I’ll ensure no harm comes to anyone in my family.”
Some of the weight eased from Ewan’s shoulders at Drake’s ardent reply. Faye and her family would be safe.
“There’s more.” Ewan untied the parchment and unrolled it. The remainder of the information had been completed, with Drake’s name where Ross had expected his to be.
Drake’s gaze lowered to the desk.
Ewan explained how the agreement to wed Faye had included giving Berwick to the Ross clan. “I dinna trust yer grandda,” he said in conclusion. “But from everything I know of yer family, I trust ye and have deeded the land no’ to yer grandda, but to ye.”
Drake’s focus snapped up to Ewan. “Me?”
“It will be safe in yer hands,” Ewan replied.
Drake stared at the document, not speaking. Finally, he cleared his throat and nodded. “Thank ye.”
“I know ye must prepare for yer return trip to Werrick,” Ewan said, offering the man an excuse to depart should he want it.
“Aye. Now that I know Faye is safe.” Drake stood and locked forearms with Ewan before leaving the room.
An emptiness filled Ewan upon Drake’s departure. Berwick had been a pressing concern; one Ewan had wanted resolved prior to Faye’s departure. Now he need only receive her answer, however much that filled him with dread.
16
Despite Ewan’s trepidation over Faye’s reply, he had enjoyed the evening meal. By the time it drew to a close, his cheeks hurt from jesting and laughing with her family.
Even when his brother and da had been alive, they had not possessed a bond like that of the Fletchers. It was easy to lose oneself in their chatter and long to belong to their tight-knit closeness.
If Faye chose to be with them, her decision would be understandable.
She slid her hand into his beneath the table and glanced at him.
“I believe ’tis time to retire,” she said.
His loins stirred with anticipation. After bidding good night to all, they rose together and made their way through the halls toward Ewan’s bedchamber.
He knew her passion was nothing more than a mask, another barrier she put up between them. But it was hard to resist the heat of her mouth, the flick of her tongue, the way her fingernails raked over his skin and her cries echoed off the walls.
It had been thus since he’d offered to allow her to go back to Castleton, their pleasure being another shield. His brain knew he should deny her even as his cock went hard with need.
He pushed open the door to his bedchamber and secured it behind him. Only this time, she did not arch her body against him once they were alone. Instead, she remained where she stood several paces away, her face tucked downward.
She drew in a deep breath.
“What is it?” Ewan asked. “Is something amiss?”
Her teeth sank into her bottom lip. “I’ve made my decision.”
Ewan’s stomach knotted. He’d been waiting nearly a sennight for her reply and now that it was coming, he didn’t want to hear it. Once the words had passed her lips, actions would be put into motion. Her items would be packed into trunks, preparations would be readied for her departure, and soon after, she would be gone.
She took a step toward him and reached for his hand. He offered no resistance as her soft fingers curled around his. He might never feel this from her again.
“I’ve decided…” She closed her eyes and paused, as though dreading what she might say.
Ewan’s heart stopped beating for that moment of time.
“I’ve decided to stay,” she said in a rush.
The breath whooshed from Ewan’s lungs, and his thoughts spun. She had said it. She had made her choice. She’d decided…
His gaze jerked to hers. “What did ye say?”
“I said I’m staying,” she breathed.
He stared at her, disbelieving. “Here?”
“Aye, here.” She laughed and put her arms around him.
“With me?” Ewan asked, still unable to believe her words, thinking he’d somehow not heard correctly.
She squeezed him closer to her and gazed longingly up at him. “With ye.”
“Why?” he asked. “No’ that I want ye to change yer mind, but I thought ye would choose Castleton.”
“It doesn’t hold the same appeal to me that it once did.” She gave him a cautious look. “I want to get to know ye better. And I want ye to get to know me better, as well.”
A glow of warmth filled his chest, and a smile blossomed on his lips. “I’d like that too. I’ve enjoyed having yer family here and learning more about ye through them. I want to make ye as happy as they do.”
“Ye’re a good man, Ewan Sutherland.” She rose up on her toes and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I’d be a fool to let ye go.”
Unlike the other kisses earlier that week, this one was chaste and gentle. And though it lacked the sexual intent behind it the others had, it was far more intimate.
Part of him wanted to pull her against him and claim her as fully his, but the more rational part needed to know why, to ensure this was truly what she wanted.
She pulled away slightly after the kiss. “I’ve been scared, Ewan.”
“Of me?”
She nodded. “Of ye. Of us. Of what it meant if I allowed myself to care for ye and give my trust.”
He stroked a hand down her soft cheek. “Ye’ve been hurt before.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “Aye. Several
