Page 43 of Tess and the Highlander
“Aye, you are.”
“Nay, you are not.”
Colin and Tess had spoken at the same time. Jameslooked curiously from one to the other.
Tess shook her head at Colin before turning toJames. “I should like to stay, but at the same time my mother isexpecting me to be at Benmore. If, by chance, she herself wouldtravel to the Highlands…well, I doubt she would ever come toRavenie Castle. And yet, I am concerned about leaving. I think weare needed here.”
Colin was far from ready to leave her here byherself. “Now that the Lindsays have formed a clan council, theywill keep things here under control in your absence. However, wecan also leave behind a few of our own men to help and assist themuntil you get back.”
“Thank you,” she said quietly. “I think we shouldplan on spending the night here, though. Would that be anyproblem?”
“Nay, Tess,” James replied. “No problem at all.”
Her eyes, taking on a worried look, scanned thevillagers. She nodded absently and walked toward a group nearest tothem. The old woman called Bella was at the center of the group,and Tess went directly to her.
Colin realized he must have been too absorbed in hisattention to Tess, for James seemed to have repeated a questionthat he hadn’t heard even the second time.
His older brother poked him in the ribs. “Why don’tyou admit it and be done with it?”
“Admit what?”
“That you are in love with her.”
No denial rose to his lips.
James let out a low whistle. “Come now, brother.While you’re at it, admit that you want to spend the rest of yourlife with her. Marriage, children, happily ever after. You knowthere is nothing that says the youngest son cannot marryfirst.”
Colin turned abruptly and strode away. Jamesfollowed.
“I never thought I’d see the day, but you are far,far gone…and don’t deny it. You were probably sunk the moment shedragged you out of the water.”
For some reason, James’s words lacked the note ofridicule that Colin would have expected.
“So what are you doing tormenting yourself and her?‘Tis obvious that she wants you…perhaps loves you back, for all Iknow of such things.”
“The whole damn thing is too complicated,” Colinsnapped, his tone harsher than he’d intended. “I don’t have time toworry about such foolishness now.”
James’s large hand landed on Colin’s shoulder. Theolder brother’s gray eyes were deadly serious when Colin looked athim.
“You don’t want to be spending the rest of your liferegretting this moment.” James lowered his voice. “Don’t forget thefamily that she springs from. Lowlanders and Highlanders. Amarriage by contract. Two unhappy, distant people thrown togetherfor the purpose of property. Why, not that I’m an expert, mindyou…but I think there’s not a shred of romantic feeling in thatwhole arrangement. And I’ll tell you something else…”
Colin waited, frowning fiercely.
“Once her mother takes charge of the lass, not younor Tess herself will be deciding her future…that’sforsure.”
Colin felt ill at the truth in James’s words.Physically ill at the thought of losing her.
“If you don’t have time to work your way throughthis ‘foolishness’ as you call it, then just think of what liesahead for her. Colin, lad, I’m not speaking lightly now. If this iswhat you truly want for your future, don’t waste a moment.”
As the Lindsay clan folk celebrated theirliberation, Tess agonized over the thought that she’d practicallybegged Colin to stay with her at Ravenie. Mortified, Tess madecertain that she didn’t have another moment alone with Colin forthe rest of day. Later, she gladly accepted Bella’s offer ofspending the night in her cottage.
Emotions were running high the next morning as theyprepared to leave the village. A half dozen of the Macpherson menwere to stay. It was clear to Tess, though, that the villagers werefeeling far different without the heavy lash of the steward hangingover them.
She’d promised to come back after her meeting withher mother. She believed she would. And she was relieved to knowthat her people believed her, too.
“I know you have set your mind against it,” Colinmoved his horse next to hers as everyone mounted up. “But youshould at least consider riding up there and looking in at RavenieCastle before we leave.”
He was all seriousness this morning. Tess wished shecould have such tight control over her own emotions.
