Page 14 of A Merry MacNaughton
“Was she willing to do it?” Something else burned inside him as Calum waited for the answer. The thought of the puny earl touching that sweet lass upstairs had his teeth grinding.
“Nay, she was spitting mad my brother even considered it. If we dinna find another way, he’s threatened to tell the clan that her sacrifice could have saved us all.” He held out his glass when Angus offered him another drink. “I ken my daughter. If she thinks it’s the only way, she’ll relent in the end. Peigi is loyal and cares for those families. She willna let them starve next winter if it’s in her power to help.”
Although Calum was relieved she had rejected the offer, the thought of her giving up all prospects of marriage, of a family and doting husband, to become the mistress of an Englishman who would use her and toss her away…
“I’ll marry her.”
“The words I’ve been waiting for, my boy.”
Chapter Six
A Promise of Passion
Peigi woke tothe ministrations of Enid applying a compress of witch hazel to her knee. A tray with tea and shortbread sat on a nearby table.
“I must have dozed off.”
“No worries, lass. Are ye hungry? I’m happy to sit with ye a spell.”
“I’ll keep her company if I can share the biscuits.” Calum pushed away from the door frame and settled on a stool close to the bed, Black Angus settling at his feet. He handed her a cup, holding the hot edge and pointing the handle toward her.
Peigi pushed herself up and accepted the tea, noting his natural thoughtfulness. He offered her a biscuit. Chewing the crumbly shortbread, a sigh escaped. “Sugar. These were made with sugar. It’s been so long.” She took another bite and closed her eyes as she enjoyed the sweet goodness, letting part of the biscuit dissolve in her mouth before taking another sip of tea.
When she opened her eyes, he was watching her, a slight smile on his face. Sweet Mary, he was a fine-looking man with that dark hair pushed back from his forehead and curling around his neck. He had removed the leather thong so it was no longer tied back. The silence stretched as she struggled for subjects to talk about. He continued his perusal of her face before lowering his gaze to her chest, hidden by the thin shift tied securely at her neck.
Peigi had no idea what to say to this man. Her mind was as sharp as week-old porridge. Should she thank him for carrying her up the stairs? He’d swooped her into his arms as if she’d weighed no more than a bairn. Or should she reprimand him for kissing her? Nay, she’d enjoyed that, though embarrassment stained her cheeks, thinking about his lips on hers. He had come to see her. Perhaps he should start the conversation.
“I’ve had a talk with Malachi and learned more of yer circumstances.”
Perhaps not.The smile fell away along with her enjoyment of his company. What had her father said this time?
“Ye should ken I’ve agreed to marry ye. I hope ye will be a willing bride.” He studied her with narrowed eyes, making her squirm. “We are attracted to each other, which is a grand start. We are of like minds, I believe, when it comes to family. Ye are lovely, and educated, and all that I would ask for in a mate.”
“Except love.” It came out as a whisper. Why was her mind dwelling on this fact? She liked him. He was a man she could respect. The option between Calum’s proposal and Lord Fulton’s proposition should be no choice at all.
He gently took the cup from her hand and set it on the tray. The soft mattress sagged under his weight as he sat next to her and took both her hands in his. She flinched as his fingers ran over the callused palms, no longer the soft, smooth skin of a lady but rough from doing a servant’s work. As if reading her mind, he turned her hands and kissed each palm. A surge of pleasure and something else fluttered through her core.
“Love will come in time, Peigi, I have no doubt.” He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. Then, as if he could not help himself, he brushed her lips with his. The faint sweet smell of aged oak clung to his mouth. The men had been drinking good scotch.
He smiled. “Get some rest, and we’ll talk more in the morning.”
*
“What did shesay?” Angus piled eggs and rasher on his plate from the sideboard. “And what the devil were ye doing talking to her while she was in bed? God’s bones, boy, ye’re making certain the wedding will take place.”
“She canna walk, so if I want to speak with her I have to go to her rooms.” Calum gave Malachi an apologetic look. “Enid was in the room with us. It was all proper.”That time.
“So she said yes?” her father asked, waving away the worry of impropriety. “She’s a good girl.”
“Weel, no’ exactly. But she dinna say no.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I canna imagine why she wouldna agree. What other choice does she have?”
“Another MacNaughton?” chimed in Finley. “I might make the sacrifice and marry the lass. Do ye think she’d like America?”
Malachi shook his head. “She wouldna go so far from her clan. The offer has been made before.”
“She’s had other offers of marriage?” Why had Calum thought she hadn’t? It was the innocence of that kiss, her inexperience. The tightness in his chest increased when he thought of another man holding her hand, stopping along a wooded path, and stealing a kiss.
“Aye, before most of the clan left. The single men emigrated to Canada or America or to the cities if they had a skill. She wouldna leave the Highlands. The only males left are either relatives, married, old, or children. Not much selection for a pretty young lass like Peigi.”
