Page 90 of In Search of a Husband
“Chaperone?”
“Ye’re no’ to come near her person with any sinful intentions. Ye hear me, Brother?”
Kate shrugged. “You did lose today.”
Gabriel tossed his arms up into the air with a groan. “So, I did. What will ye have me do, Kate?”
“I believe your niece said you need to drop to your knees and be… romantical.”
“Ye wish for me to ask for yer hand in marriage?”
Perhaps it was the fresh Scottish air still clinging to his skin, or the way his hair fell by his eyes, or that wicked slip of a grin that bore straight to her core. Sinful intentions, hmm? That was all he had for her lately, and she didn’t wish to hide it any longer.
Her heart raced at his challenge. She did, didn’t she? Was she willing to let go of the independence she had found for herself?
“Oh, come, I hear the bagpipes!” Elsie said, breaking their connection. She tugged Kate along, even as Kate spun around and mouthed “thank you” to Gabriel for the new stove.
He stood there, a giant in the kitchen, and gave her a nod. Such a small, courtly gesture that she issued a sigh.
She was sighing over the Highlander.
Again.
The inn’s main room was crowded and loud and jolly, and Kate found herself laughing as Elsie danced with friends, parting the crowd to drag her closer to the bagpipes and fiddles.
“Let my brother think on it,” she said. “He can do better than asking for yer hand in the kitchen.”
While Kate agreed, her heart hadn’t slowed in her chest. Her pulse drummed in her ears, and she felt as if she were flying, so utterly happy.
Even as Duncan McQuarrie joined the party and began boasting how he had won the caber toss over Gabriel.
Someone handed her a glass of whisky. She took a sip even as Elsie winked at her.
She closed her eyes and took another draining drink of the glass, shuddering as the whisky burned her throat and made its way warm, down into her belly. After all day outside in the Highlands, she was cold.
Meanwhile, Lorna and Maisie had run about excitedly, cheering on their uncle, playing and teasing with their aunt, and holding Kate’s hand as they all watched Gabriel toss the caber.
It had been an excellent toss, close to almost winning, but not close enough. And Kate wouldn’t lie. She had been disappointed. And though she had teased Gabriel for the rest of the afternoon, she could tell his pride had been a little beat up. She would have married him even if he had asked after losing. But perhaps that was a secret best kept to herself. She wished more than ever that she could remain with the MacInnes and not return to London. She didn’t have to return soon, but she knew that remaining at the castle with Gabriel was a heavy decision. She couldn’t remain and keep her newfound independence if she married. But if she left, Kate would be breaking her own heart.
She was in love with the stubborn man.
“Dance with me,” cried Elsie, stretching out her hands for Kate’s. Maisie and Lorna raced down the stairs to join their aunt and Kate, and the four danced in a circle, laughing merrily as the music roared, and the inn was a crush of laughter.
As Kate twirled Maisie around, Gabriel reentered the room, towering over the others. He pinned her with his stare, hot like the cast-iron pot she used to make porridge in the morning. She flashed a weak smile, the ground beneath her feet suddenly feeling soft. If she left, she would miss this look of his. The one that put her firmly in the center of his world, as if nothing else mattered.
The crowd parted for Gabriel as he stalked forward.
“Oh, I see,” said Elsie, leaning over to Kate’s ear, “it looks as if someone’s about to be romantical.”
Lorna groaned.
Finn approached, asking if Elsie wished to dance. Her response was anything but appropriate. And in the middle of that chaos, Kate stopped dancing, waiting for Gabriel.
“What’s romantical mean?” whispered Maisie. Well, not whispered but rather shouted. Kate chuckled to herself, smiling as Gabriel’s mouth also spread into a grin. He stretched his hand out for hers. She loved the way her hand fit perfectly into his, the rough feel of his skin compared to her soft touch.
“McQuarrie is here,” she said, still struck.
Gabriel shook his head, drawing her close, and began to dance. “I dinna want to make a scene. Let him stay.”
