Dare, Lydia - Tall, Dark and Wolfish

Alec pulled at Ben's hands, grasping for breath. "I'm not the one—"

"I haven't laid a hand on her," Ben hissed. That wasn't entirely true, but true in the way Alec meant.

"You forget, I know you," his friend sputtered, tugging at Ben's hands.

"She's

not

with child," he insisted, wishing he could divulge why she'd collapsed, but revealing the truth behind her healing powers would only hurt her more. So he pushed his friend out the door instead.

On the ground at his feet, Alec rubbed his neck, where Ben had held him.

Glaring down at him, Ben growled, "She's ruined in name only, MacQuarrie. And I'm rectifying that as soon as possible."

"What do you mean by that?"

Ben shook his head in disgust. "What do you think I mean by that? I'm going to marry her."

Alec choked. "You?"

"Of course, me!"

It was quite infuriating that his friend stared at him as though he'd lost his mind. Then Alec's mouth fell open, but no sound escaped.

"What is it?" Ben demanded.

"You don't seem the sort, Westfield. As soon as you bed a lass, you lose all interest in her. I've seen it time and again. I can't imagine you married."

He had been that way. Perhaps he still was, though he didn't want to believe that. Elspeth was different from the others. He shared a connection with her. He couldn't imagine ever losing interest in her. On the contrary, every minute he spent away from her made him want her more. Of course, he hadn't bedded her yet. What if he

did

lose interest?

Ben balled up his fist, wanting to pummel Alec into the ground for even making the suggestion. "Well, I'll thank you to keep your opinions to yourself, MacQuarrie. And I'll expect you to show her the respect due my wife."

Alec pulled himself up from the ground and dusted his hands on his pants. "I've always held Miss Campbell in respect. Just because she marries you, it won't change my opinion of her. And despite our differing opinions, Benjamin, you are my best friend."

"You'll stand up for me then?" Ben asked. Since his family couldn't be present, he hoped Alec would be.

Alec smiled. "I'd be honored."

Elspeth stepped from her room to find Sorcha sitting on the settee, holding her head in her hands. Ben was nowhere to be seen. "Sorcha?"

The young witch's head shot up, and Elspeth could see the tears in her eyes.

"Are ye all right?"

"Oh, El," she said, rising from her seat. "I failed ye. I'm so sorry. I came along ta keep ye out of this sort of trouble."

Only it didn't seem like trouble. It was a bit frightening, the prospect of marrying a man she barely knew, but not trouble. There was something comforting in the fact that she'd be exploring this new role with Ben. If it had been anyone else, she'd have been terrified.

Elspeth wrapped her arms around her friend. "Doona be upset, Sorcha. It'll work out for the best."

"Cait'll be furious with me." She sniffed back tears.

That was definitely true. Elspeth brushed Sorcha's tears away. "Doona let her bully ye. Besides, I think Ben crossin' my path was fated. No' even Caitrin could stop it."

Sorcha nodded sadly. "I was thinkin' that very thing."

"Where is Ben?"

Her friend pointed to the front door. "Fightin' with Alec MacQuarrie in the yard."

"

Mo chreach!" Elspeth muttered, rushing to the door

. She bolted outside, but what she found were the two men huddled together, Ben's arm draped around MacQuarrie's shoulder as if the two were the best of friends.

Both men's eyes flashed to hers when she stepped on the front porch.

"Sorcha said ye were fightin'."

Ben stepped toward her, a charming smile on his lips. "Ah, MacQuarrie and I were just having a lively discussion. Nothing to worry about. Are you ready to go see your vicar?"

Without thinking, she nodded eagerly. Then the world began to spin. She would have collapsed if Ben hadn't caught her against him.

"Ellie!" His voice sounded strangled.

She clutched his waistcoat and smiled what she hoped was a reassuring smile. "I suppose I'm still a little weak. Nothin' ta worry about," she echoed his earlier sentiment.

Ben tilted her chin upward until she met his eyes. His furrowed brow made it obvious he wasn't reassured in the least. "I'll decide what I worry about."

Elspeth stepped away from him. "I'll be fine."

A few feet away she heard Alec MacQuarrie mutter something under his breath, and Ben's eyes shot to his friend. "I warned you about that, Alec. It's not what you think." Then he looked back at Elspeth. "Do you feel up to seeing the vicar, love? I don't think MacQuarrie will rest until I'm legally leg-shackled to you."

Elspeth couldn't hide her smile. "Aye, I'd like that."

Behind her, Sorcha gasped. "Today? The vicar?"

Elspeth glanced over her shoulder. "Ye're welcome ta join us."

When her friend's gaze fell to the ground and her shoulders slumped forward, Elspeth draped her arm around Sorcha. "I wish ye'd come with us."

"Cait'll kill me one way or the other. So I might as well."

Elspeth patted her arm, then looked up to Alec MacQuarrie. "Did ye see Caitrin? How is she?"

He frowned, as though trying to sort out a puzzle. "You'd never know anything had ever happened to her. She looks perfect. Of course, Mr. Macleod won't let her out of bed. That's why I came to check on you. She's worried about you."

Elspeth moved from her spot to slide her arm around Ben's waist. "Well, as ye can see, there's no need ta worry."

They found Mr. Crawford sitting at his desk at the back of the vicarage, flipping through his Bible. His balding pate was tilted down, and he hummed a hymn to himself. How the man failed to notice a hoard of people standing in his doorway, Ben would never know. To get the man's attention, he rapped loudly on the door.

The vicar looked up and smiled at the four of them, but his eyes landed on Elspeth. "Ah, Miss Campbell, are ye here ta settle yer account?"

Before she could reply, Ben drew her close to his side with an arm around her waist. "I'll be taking care of Miss Campbell's accounts, Mr. Crawford." The man's eyes widened at the pronouncement, so Ben stepped forward. "We have another matter that needs your attention, sir."

"Oh?" the vicar asked, rising from his seat. "How can I help you today, my lord?"

Ben smiled at Elspeth, glad she returned the gesture. "I came to visit my dear friend Alec and found something here in Scotland I can't live without."

The vicar inclined his head, waiting patiently.

"I'd like for you to marry—that is, Miss Campbell and I would like for you to marry

us

."

"Indeed?"

Ben nodded. "Can you do so today?"

"I—um—Well, it would be an irregular marriage."

"As long as it's legal," Ben shrugged, "that's all we care about."

The vicar looked from Ben to Elspeth and back again. "I supposed I have the time, but I'm a bit unprepared for such an endeavor. Can ye wait in the church while I gather my things?"

"We'll be happy to."

"Oh!" The vicar's voice stopped them. "Sign my registry first so I have yer names."

Ben watched as Elspeth's hand shakily filled in the vicar's book, then he took the quill from her and did the same. This was one of the ways Scotland was more advanced than England; it might be the only way, now that he thought about it. No waiting three weeks for the banns to post. No spending a small fortune on a special license. Just whisk your intended down to the church, sign your names in a book, and marry her. No need for all the fuss.

As soon as they entered the church, Ben led Elspeth to a pew in the front row and they were quickly followed by Alec and Sorcha.