Page 14 of An Allusive Love
She looked around his tall, lanky form and saw the back of Brodie and Mairi. “Aye to both,” she answered with a smile. “Have ye seen my parents?”
“Yer mother convinced yer father to bring her by the booths. She’s of a mind to buy some pretties,” he said with a grin.
As he walked away, Kirstine wondered if she should tell the man her heart was taken. Or would MacDougal consider her forward for jumping to conclusions? But she recognized the look in his eyes. He was interested. If it weren’t for Brodie, she might return his attentions. A handsome man, lean but strong, with an adorable little boy. Kirstine loved children and hoped for many of her own. Boys with midnight hair, girls with deep brown hair, and all with the same sapphire blue eyes of the MacNaughtons.
Brigid hurried by, leading a nanny goat. “I see ye already have the widower’s attention. Either he’ll win yer heart or convince my pigheaded brother to take a stand.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but Brigid had disappeared into the crowd. Kirstine disliked the type of woman who played one man against another. She refused to do it and decided to be honest with the widower.
“Thank ye,” she said, accepting the cup from MacDougal when he returned. “Where is Liam, the younger?”
MacDougal laughed and nodded over her head. “Over there with his new friends. The boy isna shy, to be sure.”
Kirstine turned to watch a group of children playing football and saw Brodie scowl at them. Mairi stood next to him, chatting to Calum and Peigi. Kirstine stuck out her tongue at Brodie and saw the corner of his mouth twitch.
“So, tell me why Mr. MacNaughton has not claimed ye but insists on glaring at me?” MacDougal took a long pull of his ale. “Is it me in particular he doesna like, or he just prefers ye to havenomale attention?”
She choked on her sweet wine, and MacDougal patted her on the back.
“Are ye all right, lass?”
With a nod, she sucked in a breath then laughed. “I didna expect the turn in conversation. But I can understand why’d ye ask.”
He crossed his arms and sent a glare in return. “Two can play this game.”
Kirstine giggled. “To be honest, we dinna have any claims on each other, but…”But what?she thought.I’ve been waiting for over a decade for him to realize he loves me?
“But he’s a fool and no’ worth yer time if he canna make a commitment.” MacDougal stared over her head and grinned. “I’ve done it now.”
Brodie disengaged himself from Mairi and stormed in their direction. She closed her eyes and sighed. What was wrong with the man? It was uncharacteristic of him to be so churlish.
“Kirstine, may I speak with ye in private?” Brodie asked, his teeth clenched.
She looked up at MacDougal, who nodded.
“I need to check on my son. Dinna forget the dance ye promised me.” He threw back the last of his ale and ambled away.
“What was in yer porridge this morning? Something bitter, I have no doubt.” Her irritation disappeared when he gave her a remorseful look. “What’s so important?”
“I…thought… weel, you…” He shrugged his shoulders.
“Ye just didna want MacDougal paying attention to me.” She sighed and set her cup on a nearby trestle. “But ye’re right, we need to talk. Let’s find someplace quiet.”
They strolled to the outskirts of the festivities. There were several clusters of low-hanging trees and bushes, and Brodie steered them toward one, his hand hovering at her lower back. The first notes of a fiddle floated on the breeze, and the clansmen’s chatter became a low hum in the background. She could still see people, so they weren’t exactly alone, in case her mother saw them. She leaned back against a tree; the rough wood scratched her back through the material of her gown and kept her mind focused.
“I’m sorry, Kirsty. I dinna ken what has gotten into me. I get this tight knot in my belly when I see ye with MacDougal.” He studied his boots, a frown pulling his black brows together. “I want what’s best for ye, and he’s too old. I bet he’s as old as my ma.”
“Lots of women marry older men.”
“There’s no reason for ye to settle for an old man.”
“I’d hardly call him that.” She struggled to hold back the grin.
He was jealous.
She was ecstatic.
“Weel, ye should keep looking. He’s no’ the one for ye.” His gruff tone sent her pulse racing.
