Page 25 of An Allusive Love
“No one doubts that, Brodie.” Granted, his romantic affections rose and fell like the tide. But his allegiance, his place within his family, were a source of pride. The love of family and clan had always been strong and steady.
But could he transfer that kind of devotion to her, to one woman? Her mother said time would tell, but she didn’t need time. “I have faith in ye, and that will never change. Ye ken that, right?”
He shrugged, and she swore a blush crept up his neck. “I dreamt ye married MacDougal and woke up this morning in a sweat. It had me pondering… if ye hadn’t kissed me on May Day, would we have had another chance? Or would I have lost ye and never ken what I was missing?”
She was enjoying this new courtship and found herself in no hurry to end it. It would be a rousing summer, and she would relish every precious moment of it. “Fated to disregard the allusive love drifting before yer eyes?”
“Ye’re teasing me now.” He tipped his head, squinting at her suspiciously.
Kirstine shook her head. Her heart swelled as she realized there were still a few secrets hidden inside this complex man. “Truly, I trust that if we keep an open mind and an open heart, what is meant to be will come to pass. It’s those who fight their destiny that lose their way.”
Brodie nodded. “Lovely and clever. How did I get so lucky?”
She studied his profile, the set jaw, the forehead puckered in concentration. “What else is on yer mind?”
He shrugged again and then let out a long breath. “Ye’ve taught me something new about myself. I have a jealous vein I didna ken I had. When I saw ye with MacDougal, I-I wanted to skelp his hide. I dinna care for the tightness in my chest or the fire in my gut when his hand was on yer back.”
“It’s a good thing he’s no’ as handsome as ye, then.”
“Ashandsome?” His fingers gripped hers. “Ye see him like that?”
“Aye, and plenty of others. There’s been lots of nattering about his need for a wife and mother for the boy.” Kirstine’s eyes narrowed. “No confrontations with him, Brodie.”
His arm snaked around her waist and they continued walking. “I hate to admit it, but I like him. He’s a good mon and a hard worker. Though, the laddie could do with some restraint.”
She snorted. “Like ye had any at his age.”
“True enough.” He studied a fluffy white cloud overhead. “What about Brigid? Maybe yer sly matchmaker should consider him for herself. It would do her good to settle down and practice more womanly duties.”
Kirstine caught his gaze, and they stared at each other for a moment, then burst into laughter.
“Someday, a man will sweep her off her feet.” Kirstine caught her breath. “The right man, who understands her ways, could convince her to let her feminine side come out to play.”
“As ye understand my ways?”
She nodded, her eyes tracing the square line of his jaw, the dark stubble against the tanned skin.
“Is that what a woman wants? To be swept off her feet?” asked Brodie. “For the love of saints, I had no idea it was so simple.”
Before she could blink, he’d swept her into his arms and twirled her round and round. She clutched his neck to keep her balance and allowed the giggles to erupt. When Brodie stopped spinning, the world did not. She focused on the stormy blue of his eyes as he kissed her. Soft, gentle, teasing. This time her head spun but for an entirely different reason.
“Yes,” she said and promptly hiccupped. “This is exactly what a woman wants.”
Chapter Nine
Feed a Fever, Stoke a Scot
June 1819
“Help! Mrs. MacDunn,please, help!”
The shrill panic in that voice and Charlie’s excited bark spurred Kirstine to the window. Beyond the blackhouse, Mairi stumbled up the slight incline. The goats scampered out of her way, bleating with indignation.
Kirstine met her in the yard and caught her friend by the shoulders. “Breathe,” she commanded in a calm voice.
Mairi gulped in deep breaths, her fingers digging into Kirstine’s arm. “My grandmother,” she huffed.
“What’s happened?”
