Free Diana Cosby by His Seduction Page B

honor.”
    “And?”
    He’d thought her a creature of emotion, a touch spoiled, both perhaps true, but he’d missed the sharp intellect. With Angus as her father, he should have suspected as much.
    “I admire Lord Brom.”
    Surprise shifted to wariness. “He is your enemy, a man who is helping to plan a siege against English troops you support.”
    Careful with your reply. “Have you never admired someone with whom you disagreed?”
    “Mayhap.” She hesitated. “Why do you admire my father?”
    Numerous reasons came to mind as he recalled the years he’d known Lord Brom. A man not afraid to stand his ground, or hold a tender heart beneath the fierce mask he wore. A man whose heart still ached with loneliness years after his wife’s passing.
    Over the years Angus had become to him like a father, a man he’d admired for raising a daughter alone. Due to the sensitive nature of the contact between him and Lord Brom, Rois had never seen him. Never had he imagined one day that the Scottish lord would be the father of his wife. Life was filled with odd twists.
    “I admire your father because he is a man of principle, a man who one can always turn to for rationale when it seems to elude others.” Except with Rois. Information he wished he’d known earlier.
    “He is.” Lips pressed together, she studied him for a long moment.
    “For King Edward’s man, you seem to know my father well.”
    Tread carefully. “’Tis my job to be informed.”
    “Of the enemy.”
    “Of the situation.”
    She arched a skeptical brow. “And what are your plans for our situation?”
    At her nervous drawl, he relaxed. “I agreed to protect you while Lord Brom is away,” Griffin clarified. “Upon your father’s return to Kincardan Castle, I will convince him that with our countries at odds, our union is a poor idea.”
    She laughed, a soft sound that shot straight to his gut. “A poor idea—an understatement. Tell me, how will you achieve this when my father has made up his mind? Da is nae a man easily swayed.”
    Comfortable with this easy banter, Griffin nodded. “One of my strengths is negotiation.”
    “You may know my father from your research, but I have lived with him for eight and ten years.”
    “I have confidence in my abilities, my lady.”
    She shot him a cool glance. “Add arrogant to the list.”
    “The list?” he asked, curious.
    “Of your annoying traits.”
    A debate, if he allowed, could continue. “My lady, we must leave.”
    She stilled. Her face washed of color. “I am remaining here.”
    He sighed. “Your cousin offered us a chamber in Dunadd Castle.”
    Rois hesitated. “You spoke with Andrew about us?”
    “I did.”
    She slid her tongue over her lower lip in a nervous glide. Griffin assured himself he didn’t notice the moisture glistening upon her lips, a mouth he’d had the pleasure to taste. “Until our marriage is dissolved, there is little choice.”
    Panic flickered in her eyes. “I canna stay in the same chamber with you.”
    Griffin slowly inhaled, then released the calming breath. “Think you your father will allow you to remain here?”
    “If I stay with you, how can we claim we nae have . . .”
    “Consummated the marriage?”
    A flush swept her cheeks. “Aye.”
    “Worry not, I will do my part.”
    “Rest assured,” she stated, “you are the last person I would ever want to touch me.”
    Ego bruised, Griffin stepped closer. “Trust me, my lady, if I wanted you, you would be welcoming me.”
    Challenge flashed in her eyes. “Never would I want an Englishman.” “Proven by your release last eve?”
    Her hand shot out.
    He caught her wrist a whisper from his face. “Play not with what you do not understand. You are a maiden, an innocent, and know nothing of what I speak. Last night’s lovemaking was but a taste of the pleasures to be found.”
    The bravado in her eyes faded, exposing the nerves she fought to hide. She looked away.
    “Rois.” She didn’t look at