Ordeal? What did she think he would do to her? Had another man used his power over her to take more than she wanted to give? “What exactly did that Mackay bastard do to ye when your father signed the betrothal contract?” he asked.

She met his stare without blinking. “He did not bed me, by force nor by my choice.”

He’d determined as much, or the man would be dead.

“But he kissed ye, frightened ye.”

“Annoyed me.” She glanced past him to where his brothers no doubt listened. “And with my hands figuratively tied because of my father, I was not able to skewer him.”

“Ye should have let her today,” Joshua said. He tapped Bàs on the arm with his fist and tipped his head toward the door. The two began to walk, Joshua swiping up a tankard of ale from the nearest table as he went, walking the rest of the way backward. “I would be happy to take ye down to the dungeons if ye want a second try at the ogre, lass.” He winked and continued out with his brother.

Cain looked to his future bride. Her face and neck were flushed, but he knew it had nothing to do with desire for him. “We should seal the bargain,” Cain said.

“Shall I bleed on the betrothal contract?” she asked, turning toward Gideon.

“A kiss will do,” Cain said, watching to see if she would stomp off. Either way, the bargain was made simply by her word before witnesses.

Ella swung around on her heels, marched over to him, and grabbed his shoulders. She glared up at him when he didn’t bend. “Shall I find a chair to stand upon?”

He lowered his face until they stared directly at each other. Even with her eyes narrowed, he could pick out the blue flecks in the gray of them, long lashes splaying out from them to accent their beauty. Looking at her rosy cheeks and full, lush lips, he felt himself harden even in the face of her anger. Perhaps it was the sweet smell coming from her hair that shredded the discipline he kept on his body.

“I, Arabella Sutherland, chief of the Sutherland Clan of Dunrobin, have agreed to wed you, Cain Sinclair, chief of the Sinclair monsters of Girnigoe.” With that she pressed her lips to his and backed up immediately before any warmth or softening could be detected. She gave him a tight smile and looked to Gideon who stood mute. “The bargain is sealed.”

She spun around, her boots clipping as she strode to the steps where the much larger Thomas backed away as if she might slap him on her way by.

“Monsters of Girnigoe?” Gideon stopped next to him, both of them staring after her. He chuckled. “Although… Three days to win her acceptance instead of three weeks. Even I am impressed.”