He covered his mouth with his hand, hiding his mirth, and stared at her with his ocean-dark eyes. But he rose, and he took hold of her fingers, bringing her with him, up to her tingling feet.

“Then my answer is yes,” he whispered. “I’ll marry you by handfast.”

Relief rushed through her. She nearly sagged, and then felt how near he stood to her, so close she could feel the warmth of his body.

“Good. Oh, that reminds me, bard,” she said and took a graceful step back, their hands still fastened. “I have a condition.”

“Gods,” Jack groaned. “You couldn’t tell me your condition before you asked me to wed you?”

“No, but you won’t mind.” Her eyes flickered to the bed behind him, and the words nearly caught in her throat like a bone. “Once we’re married, we keep to our separate beds. At least for now.” When she met his gaze again, she couldn’t discern if he was disappointed or relieved. His face was as composed as music, a language she couldn’t read.

“Agreed,” he said and squeezed her hands before releasing them. “And now I have something to say to you.”

Adaira waited, her heart beating far too swiftly for her liking. Jack was staring at her, as if he were about to divulge dire information.

“Well?” she prodded, bracing herself for the worst. “What is it?”

“Quite impatient, aren’t we?”

Adaira frowned, but she saw the amusement shining in his eyes. “You have made me wait quite a bit tonight, old menace.”

“Only for a minute or two,” he replied. “For which you will now have me for an entire year and a day, so I think it was worth the wait.”

“Time will tell, won’t it?” she quipped.

Jack snorted and crossed his arms, but she sensed he was enjoying their banter. “Perhaps I should tell you my news tomorrow then.”

“But tomorrow already has enough trouble planned,” Adaira said, biting her lip to resist begging him.

He grinned. She had never beheld such joy in him, and she almost reached out to trace his face.

“Then let me tell you now, heiress. I would be honored to play for the clan as Bard of the East.”

She swallowed, struggling to hide her elation. But a smile broke across her lips; she could feel tears pricking the corners of her eyes.

“That’s good news, Jack. Perhaps we can have a ceremony for you, and we can—”

“No ceremony,” he gently interrupted. “When I become your husband, I also become the clan’s bard. Don’t you agree that is best?”

Adaira nodded, rubbing her collarbone. “Yes, you’re right. This will help temper the clan’s expectations as well, since you might only play for a year and a day. I know there is a chance of you deciding to leave if our handfast breaks, and . . . yes, the clan should know that.”