“Be serious, English.”
“Will there be gravy on the tatties?”
“Good God.”
“How about butter?”
She swatted his arm then laced their fingers together. “We’ll have to wed straight away. Angus will insist. Ye ken that, right?”
He nuzzled her ear. Tightened his hold on her belly. Then whispered, “I’m counting on it, lass.”
TlU
On the rare occasions when John imagined the woman who might one day become his wife, he’d pictured someone pleasant. Agreeable. Perhaps even boring. He’d imagined a proper English rose from a good family, a gentle lady who took her tea in delicate sips and complimented his mother’s new settee and embroidered handkerchiefs with subdued enthusiasm.
Perhaps that explained why he’d resisted marriage for so long. He hadn’t known Annie Tulloch existed.
Because no other woman came close to matching his Scottish lass.
As he lifted her down from Jacqueline’s back, he fought to contain himself. Nothing had prepared him for how he felt now, knowing she was his. The pressure expanded against his bones, demanding he take her over and over. Demanding he shout his claim to everyone in the glen. Everyone in the bloody world.
She was his. His.
This fiery, foul-mouthed, uncouth, unacceptable woman was his.
This doggedly loyal, tenderly sweet, fiercely passionate woman was his.
“What are ye starin’ at, English?” She frowned up at him, smoothing the sides of her hastily pinned hair. “Do I look a proper mess?”
Doo I luik a proper meiss? Those enticing lips pursed along the rounded vowels and trilled r’s while a hint of vulnerability creased between scarlet brows.
God, how he loved her. Boundlessly. Inexpressibly. And, because he loved her, he must tell her the truth.
“Annie.”
Cornflower blue raised in question.
A deep bellow sounded from the doorway of MacPherson House. “Where in bluidy hell have ye been?” Angus stomped out onto the drive and held up his hand. “Dinnae answer that. I’ve just eaten.”
Annie spun, tripping herself as she faced her father.
John steadied her and met the man’s glower. “Angus, I must speak with—”
“Haud yer wheesht, lad. Annie, yer brother is up and about and complainin’ about his stomach. Said somewhat about havin’ eggs for a change.”
Annie frowned. “Rannoch never wants eggs. He doesnae care for ‘em.”
“Not Rannoch. Broderick.”
Grasping John’s hand, she squeezed and caught his gaze with wide, hopeful eyes before turning back to her father. “B-Broderick? He’s up?” Her voice thinned with emotion. “He’s askin’ for breakfast?”
Angus grinned so broadly, John thought his jaw might crack. “Aye, lass.” The man’s eyes shone with suspicious moisture. “He’s askin’ after ye, as well.”
Tears shimmering, she brought John’s fingers to her lips, kissed his knuckles, then flew into her father’s arms. “Thank heaven, Da,” she cried. “Ah, thank the Lord.”
No sooner had Angus patted her back than she tore away and rushed into the house.
Angus’s grin disappeared as soon as he caught John’s eye. “Ye’ll marry her today.”
“Yes, I—”
“I dinnae give two shites whether ye’d planned a grand ceremony in a London church with yer entire clan there to pass judgment.”
“No, I—”
“Ye’ll marry my daughter today, Huxley, and we’ll never speak again about where she was last night. Ye ken?”
John ran a hand over his jaw, then looked at the ground, then back at Angus. Then, he laughed. Likely a mistake, but he couldn’t help it.
“What the devil’s so amusin’, lad?”
“You know very well I am desperate to marry her. Nobody has to force my hand.”
Angus crossed his arms and angled closer, attempting intimidation with his superior height. “Well, ye’ve bluidy well forced mine, havenae ye?”
John shrugged. “A man does what he must.”
Angus snorted. “And when do ye plan to tell her who ye are?”
“How do you know I haven’t?”
“Because she still treats ye like her favorite wee lamb. Once ye’ve felt the raw side of Annie’s temper, ye’ll be fortunate if ye merely find yerself in her stew pot.”
A cold sensation sank into his gut. “I was hoping she’d be pleased at the news. She did aim to marry a lord.”
A boy ran from behind the house to take John’s horse. Wanting privacy, Angus nodded toward the south corner of the front garden, inviting John to follow. When they both stood beneath a tall willow, Angus released a breath and shook his head. “Annie doesnae tolerate lyin’. I’m walkin’ naked through a bramble thicket, myself, keepin’ yer secret as I’ve done.”
Blinking at the image, John frowned.
“There’s thorns gougin’ away at tender bits, ye ken?”
He stifled a grin. “Yes, I take your meaning.”
“My wee lass is a mite proud.”
“I hadn’t noticed.”
“She willnae care that she might be carryin’ yer bairn. If ye prick her temper, she’ll make ye pay.”
John considered his options. “You think she’ll refuse me, then?”
“For a time, aye. Forever? Dinnae ken.” Angus scratched his chin. “When she was naught but thirteen, I fibbed to her about a calf she’d grown fond of. She’d given the beastie a name, fed it by hand, doted on it. I told her she shouldnae grow attached, as it was meant to be meat. But she’s stubborn. Time came, I had to tell her I’d sold it to a man at the fair who had a farm on the Isle of Skye. A big farm with acres and acres of grazin’ land and grand plans to raise the wee beastie into a bull that could breed his herds.”
“What was your fib?”
“Her calf wasnae sold. It strayed from the herd and was torn apart by feral dogs. Alexander tracked the dogs and put them down. I buried the calf. Changed my shirt. Then, I went home and lied to my daughter.” Angus shook his head. “Tenderhearted lass. She kenned straight away. Forced me to tell her the truth.” He sighed. “Didnae speak to me for a fortnight. It isnae when she’s shoutin’ fit to bring the roof down upon yer head that ye must fear, lad. ’Tis when she goes quiet.”
This did not bode well. “We must marry straight away, Angus. After last night …”
“Aye. I ken.”
“I could wait to tell her about my title until after we’re married, I suppose.”
“Best option. No doubt of it.”
John removed his hat and ran a hand through his hair. Turning the hat in his hands, he considered what awaited him after she found out. Perhaps she would understand once he explained his reasons. Once she realized he’d given her everything she’d claimed to want. Perhaps she’d be vexed for a short while then forgive him quickly.