It was a task he’d set Rorie to immediately. His sister had developed an affinity for Eveline from the first day. Rorie was a solid ally for Eveline, and Graeme didn’t have to worry that Rorie would be disloyal to her. Rorie could help her find the right volume so Eveline would better know how loudly she was speaking by the way the words felt coming out of her throat.
“I think it best they know the truth,” Graeme said. “I don’t want to give them any reason to continue with their insults and disrespect. Not that you wouldn’t be due that respect if you were ‘touched.’ There’s no reason for others to levy such hatred toward that which they do not understand. But this way they’ll know what a capable, intelligent young lass you are, even more so because you have no hearing and yet you’ve managed to teach yourself the very difficult task of reading words from people’s mouths.”
Eveline’s eyes sparkled as she stared up at him in wonder. “ ’Tis no small thing for you to think this way. Many would have no such kindness to those weaker or less intelligent than themselves. Even in my own clan, there were many who thought the laird should rid himself of his daft daughter. Many would not only condone or sanction such ridicule but they would participate themselves.”
Graeme frowned, not liking the idea that anyone in her own clan would have acted so harshly toward her. “It does not make me more of a man to belittle those under me.”
She smiled. “I quite like you, husband.”
He blinked in surprise at her pronouncement. Then he laughed. “I like you, too, Eveline.”
Then he realized the one word she hadn’t said and he was suddenly filled with impatience, wanting to hear it from her lips.
“Say my name,” he said huskily. “Graeme. I want to hear you say my name.”
“Graaame,” she said slowly and with great care.
“A little louder,” he encouraged. “You spoke it so softly, I almost did not hear.”
“Graeme,” she said louder and with more confidence.
The sound delighted him. It sent an uncontrolled shiver up his spine. The ache in his gut intensified. He stared back at her, so close and yet with too much space between them.
It didn’t matter that he no longer had to fear taking advantage of a woman who wasn’t aware of the kind of intimate relationship that took place between a man and a woman. She was still innocent and he would have to take great care with her. He would have to advance slowly so as not to overwhelm or frighten her.
But his need was savage. Clawing relentlessly at him, growing more with every moment he spent in her presence. He’d experienced lust. He was well acquainted with matters of passion. But this was … different.
It transcended simple attraction, a need for a woman—any woman—to assuage his desires. She called to him on a completely different level. She spoke to the very heart of him. Inspired feelings of protectiveness and fierce possessiveness that he wasn’t even sure he liked.
Feeling this … strongly … for a woman was dangerous. It clouded a man’s judgment. Made him forget his duty. Made him forget everything else save … her.
“I like my name on your lips,” he murmured, his voice catching. He was suddenly grateful she couldn’t hear him, couldn’t tell the difference in his tone. It told too much. It told of his weakness when it came to her.
She smiled beautifully, her eyes lighting up, sparkling with pleasure. “I like my name on your lips as well,” she said shyly. “Even though I cannot hear it. I imagine what it would sound like. I feel the vibration in my ear and it’s … comforting.”
His expression sobered. “It must have been very difficult to adjust to hearing nothing, to wake up to a silent world.”
“It was,” she whispered. “I thought so many things. That it was my punishment for daring to defy my father and even Ian to a degree. But I couldn’t imagine God wanting me to marry a monster. He wouldn’t be that unmerciful, would he?”
“Nay,” Graeme said, touching her cheek. “Perhaps God gave you to me to protect so that you’d never have to worry about Ian McHugh again.”
Her eyes widened. “I had not considered that.”
He smiled. “Then consider it now. Perhaps the king’s dictate was not such a terrible thing after all. I find the matter of our marriage not nearly as distasteful as I did in the beginning.”
Her cheeks blossomed with color, but he could see the warm delight in her eyes. She truly was a beautiful lass and he was falling more under her spell by the minute.
“I’ll pull my brothers to the side and gain their assistance in telling the members of our clan of your situation. I’ll not make a public announcement. I don’t want to discomfit you in any way.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
He tipped his finger underneath her chin and then leaned in to kiss her one more time. It was brief—it had to be lest he allow things to go too far this very moment—but it was no less sweet.
“I meant what I said earlier,” he said as he pulled away. “Kierstan and those who participated in the abuse you experienced will not work in the keep again. Furthermore, if you have any further issue with them, or anyone else, you’re to let me know the moment it happens. They will be dealt with harshly.”
Eveline swallowed, but nodded her agreement.
He reluctantly rose from the bed, putting more distance between them. Then he turned so she’d see his mouth as he spoke.
“I go now to speak with my brothers. It will be time to sup soon. Perhaps you should rest a moment and then join me in the hall.”