Page 43 of To Defy a Highland Duke

Keane had declared he wanted to marry her. How could the idea both thrill and terrify her at once? Nonetheless, the notion took root, spreading like the early morning mist rising from a loch.

No opportunities to be alone together had presented themselves the rest of the day, which was just as well. It had given her time to deliberate his suggestion. Certainly, it was far too soon to consider marriage, but a courtship?

Her heart skipped a beat, and a jubilant smile tugged the corners of her mouth upward. Aye, a courtship wasn’t at all objectionable. Not at all. It still rather befuddled her to admit she’d caught Keane’s regard.

Thus, after settling her worn-out daughters into their comfortable beds and telling them a story interrupted intermittently by loud purrs and an occasional chirp from Sphynx or Chimera, they’d drifted off to sleep.

Playing with the cats all day had not only exhausted Cora and Elana, but the big cats too. And since the girls couldn’t claim a single scratch or nip from the oversized tabbies, Marjorie now trusted them.

Keane hadn’t exaggerated how tame they were.

She’d asked Phemie to find her if her daughters awoke and needed her.

The lighting of the bonfire would take place at nine. A glance at the mahogany longcase clock standing proudly in the corridor revealed Marjorie had just over an hour to spare. She frowned upon noticing four more heavily armed guards as she made the landing.

That, along with Keane’s admonition she not leave the keep unaccompanied only served to cause all sorts of fanciful imaginings. Giving a mental shake, for surely Keane would advise her if there was a need for concern, she brought her wayward musings back to the present.

Likely, as the security was only on the levels where many of the guests were as well, he’d been concerned that merrymakers would find their way into the keep tonight. A belly full of spirits might cause wayward revelers to wander where they ought not.

How ridiculous her dread of spending Hogmanay at Trentwick and seeing the Duke of Roxdale had proven. Thank God she’d come, for this burgeoning warmth building inside her might very well be love.

Love

Could she truly be so fortunate as to find love not once but twice in a lifetime? And this consuming emotion was, well…consuming. Her girlhood love for Sion had been real: sweet, pure, and uncomplicated. But these feelings for Keane might very well be her undoing.

In no way would she describe them as sweet or simple. He’d ignited an inferno in her, and no matter which way she looked at the situation—the possibility of a union with him—the situation was complex.

He’d been right, however, when he’d said there’d been an immediate, overwhelming spark between then. And Marjorie desperately wanted to explore whatever this was, yet she was also afraid.

Afraid of having her heart shattered again because she wasn’t a woman who did anything by half-measures. If she allowed herself to love Keane, she’d do so with her every breath, each beat of her heart, and her very soul.

She very much feared she was halfway in love with him already. Being with Keane infused her with a feeling of completion—that he understood her in a way no one else ever had. Not even Sion, and he’d been the best of husbands.

She put a hand to her heart, a sense of wonderment engulfing her.

The greater the love, the greater the risk of pain.

Ah, but also the promise of greater happiness.

Four days remained before they were to return home. A lot could happen in a short period, as she’d already learned.

“Marjorie?”

Lost in her musings, she started when Camden called her name. She looked up to see him, Graeme, and Berget approaching, none looking as cheerful as one would expect for the biggest Scottish celebration of the year.

Smiling, she accepted Camden’s extended elbow. “You’re a somber lot. Why the long faces? I thought you were eagerly anticipating tonight’s revelry.” They always had at Killeaggian Tower. She eyed her brothers-in-law, then Berget. “Has something happened?”

“Nae.” Graeme’s features cleared, and he produced a broad grin as he tucked Berget’s hand into the crook of his elbow. “We were discussin’ our departure. It would be best to take advantage of the break in the weather, so I think it wise we depart nae later than the day after tomorrow.”

So soon?

Dismay shredded Marjorie’s earlier joy.

She couldn’t possibly make a decision that soon. Shoving her disappointment into a corner of her mind, she produced a bright smile. Nothing—especially thoughts of leaving Keane—would taint this evening.

“I’m glad ye decided to join us after all,” Graeme said. “The lasses are abed?”

Marjorie chuckled as she fell into step beside Camden. “Yes. His grace’s giant felines have kept Cora and Elana entertained since we arrived. All four were sleeping soundly when I left the nursery a short while ago.”