Free The Lover by Nicole Jordan Page B

him to tell her that he was sexually promiscuous. Doubtless he had bedded more women than she even
knew
. She wondered if he ever slept alone. “That is supremely evident!” Her gaze swept his nearly nude body with a hint of disdain. “Most polite society would consider it the height of depravity to be carrying on so in the middle of the day.”
    Niall’s amusement faded while his expression turned cool. “Firstly, it is not midday. It is scarcely ten of the clock, a perfectly appropriate time to be ‘carrying on so,’ as you so delicately put it. Secondly, I believe this is my domain, where I may conduct myself as I please. And thirdly, Mistress Duncan…” His gaze bored into her. “What right do you have to censure me?”
    Sabrina drew herself up. “I claim none. Indeed, it is nothing to me if you choose to while away your time in idle pursuits. But there is more to life than chasing skirts.”
    “Oh? And what, pray tell, is there?”
    “Duty and honor, for instance. Family. Sacrifice.”
    His blue eyes turned hard and challenging. “I have been willing to sacrifice for duty and clan loyalty. I assumed the lairdship of my clan, for which I held neither expectation nor avocation. And,” Niall added in a velvet-honed voice of steel, “I have agreed to consider your proposal of marriage.”
    Sabrina raised her eyebrows. “
My
proposal?”
    “Is that not why you sought an audience with me this morn?”
    Her mouth dropped open. “Wedding you was not
my
idea, I assure you!”
    “Nor was it mine.” Niall favored her with a wintry smile. “’Tis solely your grandfather’s wish.”
    “But I…” She frowned in confusion. “Angus spoke as if the decision was settled. He told me that you concurred.”
    “I concur that Angus needs the connection between our clans, that is all.”
    Dropping her gaze, Sabrina stared down at the floor, her heart squeezing with a strange pain. Niall McLaren didn’t wish to marry her. She should have known.
    “I have no desire to be forced upon any man,” Sabrina replied stiffly. “Certainly not
you
. I was only willing to consider marriage to you for the good of my kinsmen. For some reason, my grandfather believes that you offer the best chance to ensure our clan’s survival.”
    “I know what Angus believes. But if I might indulge in some plain speaking?”
    “Let us be frank, by all means,” she agreed acerbically.
    “You would do far better to find yourself another husband.”
    Sabrina glanced up at him, her half smile scornful. “And just why is that?”
    “Because you and I are ill-suited.”
    That
she could agree with wholeheartedly; it was no more than she had concluded herself.
    When she did not dispute him, Niall’s tone softened a degree. “You don’t wish to marry a philanderer, Mistress Duncan, I assure you. I would make you a deplorable husband. I cherish the lasses too much to give up my freedom and settle down with a wife. I wouldn’t be faithful to any woman. It isn’t in me.”
    No, Sabrina thought somberly. She couldn’t expect such a man to be faithful to her. He was a man of passion without promises. He wouldn’t want her love, or any other tender feelings. But then she didn’t want his love, either. She only wanted him to protect her clan.
    “You need not fear on that score. I’d not deprive you of your pleasures. Ours would be a marriage of convenience, nothing more. However, I…” She took a deep breath, uncomfortable discussing such private issues in so intimate a manner. “I…would like children eventually. And I should think you would as well. A man in your position needs heirs.”
    Niall was a long time in answering. “I expect I could comply in that regard.”
    “I have little doubt,” she observed, her tone wry. “I imagine Scotland and France are littered with your by-blows.”
    “Then you imagine wrongly. I have two children to my knowledge, and both are well provided for.”
    “Then that should prove no problem,