Eoin stepped onto the staircase where Blaire could see him and interrupted her before she could berate the old stable master further. “Hello, Blaire. Welcome to Conall Castle. I apologize for not being here when ye arrived. I was sitting out on the wall when I saw ye headed this way.” Reaching the bottom of the staircase, Eoin stood before Blaire and placed her hand in his. Flashing a smile that would make the most beautiful of women melt, he gently kissed the top of her hand, his dark black eyes piercing her own.
“I’m not interested in yer charms, Laird Conall.” Jerking her hand away, Blaire bent and began piling her belongings into the stable master’s arms. “Believe me, this will be a marriage in contract and nothing more. Any man who would agree to such an arrangement is obviously deranged. If it were up to me, I would be laird of the MacChristy keep after my father’s passing. I would do a fine job, most likely better than him, but everyone seems to think women are only capable of breeding and pleasing a man, so I’m being married off. Do ye no think ye and my father could have made an alliance of safety without me being part o’ the bargain?”
Eoin watched as Blaire stopped fooling with her things, only just noticing that the old man was already holding more than he could carry. He didn’t move as she walked right up to him and jabbed two of her fingers right into the center of his chest, her eyes flaring with anger.
“But no. The great Eoin is too small a man to find a woman of his own. He is happy to wed someone who does not love him, care for him, or like him.”
Eoin’s temper rose as Blaire’s fingers continued to jab into his ribs. Seething, he grabbed both of her wrists. “Ye can set the lass’s belongings down, Kip. Go see that her horse is tied safely in the stables, and show her escorts to the dining hall so that they can have a good meal after their journey.”
“Right away, sir.” The old man struggled to set the large pile down neatly, then took off as quickly as he could out the grand doors.
“As for ye,” still holding her wrists, Eoin backed Blaire into a column that lined the entranceway. With their bodies touching and his face close enough to feel the heat off her breath, Eoin continued, “Has it ever occurred to ye that I may be as reluctant toward this marriage as yerself?”
“Not possible,” Blaire muttered under her breath.
“Aye, tis very possible. This betrothal was arranged between my father and yers. I was informed of it as a young lad and was as helpless in the matter as ye. As for yer other demands…” he tightened his grip and leaned in even closer, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered huskily, “yer belongings are to be brought to the room directly across from mine, and upon our wedding night, ye will move into my chambers immediately, that I can assure ye, Lady Blaire. This will be a real marriage in every sense o’ the word. Ye will bear my children, and ye will quickly see just how capable I am of wooing any lass of my choosing.”
“Ahem…” Arran cleared his throat as he walked into the room. “Well hello, Blaire. Had I known the two of ye were going to get along so quickly, I would have given ye some privacy and welcomed ye in the morning. I apologize for the intrusion.”
“Do not make the mistake of assuming this is how it appears, brother.” Eoin released Blaire’s wrists and faced his brother. “Please help me take Lady MacChristy’s belongings to the Lavender Room.”
“But I have not yet had the chance to properly greet yer fiancée.” Arran stepped to take Blaire’s hand, but she quickly jerked it away.
“Doona bother. I’m sure beneath yer welcoming fa?ade ye are equally as lacking in manners as yer brute of a brother.” She snarled her upper lip. “I have often heard it said that ye were the fairer of the two Conall brothers, but I would have to disagree.” She quickly whirled to face Eoin once again, “Now. I have had enough of both of the legendary Conall brothers for one evening. If ye can simply point me in the direction of food, I can assure ye that I can find the way myself.”
Beyond stunned, both brothers pointed to the double doors to her right, staring wide-eyed as she stormed out of the entranceway and through the doors to which they’d pointed. Arran was the first to speak. “By all the saints, brother! I do believe ye were right about the lass. She is quite the beauty, but I’d be wary of taking her to my bed as well.”
“Aye. I told ye so.” Bending, Eoin began lifting Blaire’s belongings, leaving half for his brother, and nudged his head to the staircase so that Arran would follow.
“I know just what ye need, brother. Let us ride out in the morning and spend the fortnight before yer wedding enjoying yer last few days of freedom! It would do ye good to get drunk and tup a lass or two before ye’re strapped down with the wench now sleeping across the hall from ye. Mary would be more than happy to help with the wedding preparations, and if what I have seen of yer future bride tonight is any indication, she willna be wanting yer help even if ye are here.”