Page 39 of To Defy a Highland Duke

“Thank you,” she quietly replied, her emotion-laden voice husky.

“All I ask is that ye give us a chance, Marjorie. I willna rush ye into doin’ somethin’ ye dinna want.” Unlike his predecessors. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t use his considerable diplomacy and seduction skills to woo her.

Indecision played across her features. She was afraid to take a chance. A woman risked everything when she wed. She became her husband’s property, and the only rights she had were those he granted her.

Keane released her hair and then, searching her eyes, took her hand and raised it to his mouth, pressing a hot kiss to the knuckles. “I dinna want us to miss an opportunity and perhaps have regrets for the rest of our lives.”

A heavy knock shook the door, and he tossed a frustrated scowl toward the din before asking her, “What say ye?”

“I’d like time to think about it, please.” It was her turn to put a palm to his face. “I find you devilishly attractive, Keane Buchannan, and I can hardly cobble together a coherent sentence in your presence. But that may well only be lust.”

With a cynical, self-conscious smile, she withdrew her hand.

“Ye dinna say.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Ye lust after me, do ye lass?”

Her cheeks reddened, but she forged onward. “Don’t look so confounded proud of yourself, Your Grace.” She poked his chest. “A gentleman never remarks on such intimacies or a lady’s private confessions.”

“Och, lass, I never claimed to be a gentleman where ye are concerned.”

A distinct twinkle in her rich brown eyes, she notched her chin upward and sniffed. “Hmm, I’m not certain whether to be flattered or insulted by your admission.”

“Keane.” The door reverberated again. “Open this door at once! I must speak to ye. ’Tis most urgent.”

Uncle Bothan?

This time Marjorie threw a startled look to the vibrating door. She’d recognized his voice and raised a hand to her throat in alarm.

“We’ll speak about my proposal later, Marjorie,” Keane said as he rose, mindful to keep his tone from revealing the anger and unease Bothan’s presence portended. “Lorne is the rotter who set the cottage afire yesterday, and I must speak to my uncle about the matter.” He glanced at the window, reminding himself to secure the latch. “Though, in truth, I dinna ken why he’s here.”

Should he tell Marjorie that he suspected Lorne was behind the ransacked study? No, it would only frighten her further. To be safe, he’d assign more guards to monitor the castle’s interior.

“I must leave anyway. I promised the girls I’d play with them.” Having gained her feet, she briskly shook out her skirts before adjusting her bodice. Once more, she appeared the serene, proper widow.

He caught her fine-boned hand in his, running his thumb back and forth across the top of the delicate, white flesh. “Will ye raise a glass with me when the clock strikes midnight? We can toast a new beginnin’ for us too?”

Her expression inscrutable, Marjorie remained silent for so long he feared she wouldn’t answer. Her eyes softened and, almost shyly, she said, “Aye. I shall be happy to.”

Triumph sluiced through him, but he contained the jubilant shout and victorious grin. He’d but won a battle, not the war.

In pensive silence, she accompanied him to the door, but before turning the key, he drew her near, inhaling her perfume. Who’d have believed roses and lemon could smell so erotic? He whispered in her ear, absorbing her woman’s heat and fragrance.

“I care deeply for ye, Marjorie. Verra deeply.”

He couldn’t say love yet.

He wasn’t ready.

She wasn’t ready.

“I know you do, and you honor me.” Touching his arm, her expression serious, she said, “I’m not without feelings for you, Keane, but I need a bit of time to sort things out in my mind. Even you must admit, this has been quite sudden.”

Och, she’d arrived but two days ago, and the arrows they’d shot at each other hadn’t been of Cupid’s variety.

“Ye can have all the time ye need, leannan.” His sweetheart, forevermore.

If waiting meant a lifetime with her as his duchess, Keane would wrestle his impatience into submission. He brushed the back of his hand over her cheek. “Until I find out who broke into my office, I must ask that ye and yer lasses nae leave the castle without an escort. Nae even to take a walk.”

Which wasn’t likely since the snow hadn’t melted as yet.