Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 102424 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102424 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
“What could that mean?” Purity asked, even more confused.
“Any number of things, which is why it is good we wed,” Arran reminded her. “No matter what we face when we return home, no one can take you from me.”
Purity didn’t expect the jolt of terror that struck her, twisting her stomach, and had her heart hammering. The thought that she could be torn away from him filled her with horror. Her love for him was a lot stronger and deeper than she realized. She would question her marriage to Arran no more. It may not have been the way she had hoped it would someday be, but it had been the right thing to do and she’d be foolish to think otherwise.
However, she knew how devious and determined her father could be when it came to gaining power and wealth and the only way to do that in the Highlands was to gain more land. He would have used her to obtain both. It was the true reason he wanted Arran to wed her five years ago. With their two clans united, it would afford her father the influence and power he so desperately craved.
“Your father could look at your absence as a blessing or a hindrance,” Arran said. “If you were found, you would have been forced to wed a man of his enemy’s choice and your father would have seen his land stolen out from under him. But it also left him vulnerable, unable to do much with his only daughter missing. And if he should die, what then? With your brother dead, the Macara name, the bloodline, would come to an end.”
“Something my father reminded my brother Bayne of endlessly. He was determined to see Bayne wed within the year. It troubled him that Royden and Oria would wed and have a child, securing the MacKinnon name and clan before he had secured Bayne a marriage arrangement. I was surprised when Bayne told your da he was interested in wedding Raven.”
“I often pitied the unknown man who would wed my sister,” Arran said. “She will not make an easy wife. At least at one time she wouldn’t. I have no idea if that still holds true. We have all changed. I imagine Raven has as well.” He shook his head, thoughts of his sister’s fate disturbing him and guilt over not protecting her rising up to torment him. “I will keep you safe as will King and Princess.”
He didn’t have to keep telling her she was safe with him. He’d proven it several times, but it wasn’t her who he needed to prove it to. She realized he had to prove it to himself. He had to prove that no matter what his captives had taken from him, they hadn’t completely robbed him of his honor.
Purity broached a subject both of them had avoided. “My father will be expecting us to live at the Macara keep with him.”
“Your rightful home and one I will serve well,” Arran said.
“You will be chieftain when my father passes.”
“I will do my best to keep the clan strong and provide well for the people,” he said.
“You say what is expected of you, but I remember well that you never wanted to lead a clan. You were happy your brother would be chieftain of the Clan MacKinnon and not you,” she reminded.
“It is my duty as your husband and I will see it done.”
“You never paid much mind to duty before,” she said, wishing his handsome face would show some sign of emotion, of how he truly felt.
“It is necessary now and I do what must be done.”
Again, he showed not a trace of feelings. It was nothing more than a chore to him that had to be done—like their marriage. One day, she hoped, it would no longer be a chore to him.
He got up off the barrel he had been sitting on by the door and began removing his garments. “It is time to consummate our vows.”
Chapter 8
“Disrobe and get in bed,” Arran ordered when she didn’t move.
Purity stared at him, her mouth slightly agape, though it would have been much wider if she hadn’t stopped it from falling open in shock. She had looked forward to coupling with him, but not in such a cold and unloving manner.
“I don’t recall you being so blunt with the women you poked in the barn,” she reminded.
“That man is no more,” Arran snapped. “And where’s the obedient lass I once knew?”
“She’s no more as well,” she admitted, not at all regretful. “What if I don’t want to consummate our vows now?”
He stopped removing his garments. “I would never force you as some husbands do, and you are aware of why it is wise this not be delayed. I will, however, remind you that once our vows are sealed it would be more difficult for anyone to break them, especially if you got with child. Sealing our vows seals your safety.”