Page 24 of His Runaway Bride
When she finally returned to the high table, slightly breathless from the energetic reels, she found Ewan watching her with an expression she couldn't quite decipher.
"Ye're happy," he observed, and it wasn't quite a question.
"I am," she realized with some surprise.
"They see yer worth," Ewan replied."As do I."
The words carried weight beyond their simple meaning, and Lileas felt warmth spread through her chest.This man, who had every right to resent her, was looking at her as if she were something precious.
***
EVENTUALLY, THE EVENINGbegan to wind down.The older clan members started making their excuses and departing for their homes, while the younger ones settled in for more drinking and storytelling.
"Come," Fiona said, appearing at Lileas's elbow with perfect timing."Let me help ye prepare for bed.Ye've had a long day, and ye need yer rest."
Lileas allowed herself to be led from the great hall, though she was acutely aware of Ewan's eyes following her progress.She turned back once to see him deep in conversation with Connor and several of his men, their expressions serious despite the festive atmosphere around them.
"They're discussing security," Fiona explained, noticing her backward glance."The Ferguson attack has them all worried.But dinnae worry, MacNeil men are cut from the finest cloth.They will not let any harm come to our clan, and ye are very much family now."
After Fiona departed, Lileas found herself alone in the large chamber, wearing a simple shift.She moved to the window, looking out over the moonlit loch and thinking about the events of the day.
***
MEANWHILE, IN THE COUNCILroom, the brothers sat before their own fire with cups of mead, discussing the very real dangers that faced their clan.
"The Ferguson attack was too coordinated to be a simple raid," Connor said, his expression grimmer than usual."They knew exactly where to find ye, and they came prepared to take Lileas."
"Aye," Ewan agreed."'Tis not like their laird to try and kidnap another man's wife.The leader Dugald kept saying they were doing it for him, but I've met Bhaltair Ferguson before.He doesn't seem the type to do such a thing."
Connor leaned forward, his dark eyes intense."If they're targeting the Lady of MacNeil Keep, an attack on her is an attack on our entire clan.At least the marriage is official and consummated, so there's no question of her status or our obligation to protect her."
Ewan's hand tightened on his cup, and he looked away from his brother's penetrating gaze.The silence stretched between them, growing more uncomfortable with each passing moment.
"Ewan," Connor asked slowly, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper."Ye are officially married, and it has been consummated?"
"The first part, yes.The second...not yet."
"Brother," Connor said, his voice carrying a warning, "I think ye need to get on with that as soon as possible."
"I ken it," Ewan replied roughly, running a hand through his hair."But I promised I would not couple with her until she asked me to."
"Are ye daft?"Connor scoffed."If the Fergusons take her before the marriage is properly consummated, they could claim an annulment.They could force her to marry their laird, and there would be nothing we could do about it legally."
The words hit Ewan like a physical blow.He had been so focused on being considerate of Lileas's feelings that he hadn't considered the political and legal implications of their unconsummated marriage.
"I wanted to give her time," Ewan replied.
"She needs to understand the danger," Connor continued relentlessly."And ye need to stop treating her like she's fragile.She's stronger than ye think."
Ewan stared into the fire, knowing his brother was right but still reluctant to pressure Lileas into something she might not be ready for."I will not force her."
"Then find a way to make her want it," Connor said with bluntness."Because if the Fergusons take her, force will be exactly what she faces.And it will not be from a man who cares about her wellbeing."
***
SOMETIME LATER IN HERchamber, Lileas paced before the dying fire, her mind working through the same implications that the brothers were discussing.The Ferguson attack had been a sobering reminder of the dangerous world she now inhabited.
Her marriage to Ewan, while legally binding, remained unconsummated.In the eyes of the Church and the law, that made it vulnerable to challenge.If she were kidnapped and forced into another marriage, there might be grounds to claim her union with Ewan was invalid.
