Page 122 of Some Like It Scot
Chapter 21
Graeme
I was in no state to attend a ball.
In fact, I’d never thought of myself as the type to attend one in the first place.
But after Allison’s visit, then the message relayed by Lachlan about Katie—and the added worry that whatever I said to Katie could possibly scare her away—I was left flummoxed. I couldn’t seem to get anything right.
I almost forgot my kilt pin. Couldn’t find my sporran. And nearly walked out of the house without attaching my fly plaid. Thankfully, Mum had stopped in to take Lachlan for the night, so she caught my oversight and proceeded to attach the cloth to my shoulder. Someone would have thought I was getting married, I was so off my head.
The conversation with Allison proved all the more how badly I needed to ensure Katie of her freedom—that I’d support her future. That I wasn’t trying to tie her down or squelch her dreams. The last thing I wanted to do was scare her away. I wanted to create tomorrows with her.
I drew in a deep breath as I walked through the doors of Craighill. And I’d embrace whatever those tomorrows might look like.
And then I entered the ballroom into a surprising host of people. Two dozen, at least. They had to be acquaintances of the Lennoxes, from the accents I heard as I walked through the room. I even noted a few reporters.
I steered clear of them.
As I studied the space, I had to admit I was chuffed at the look of the room. Seeing one’s ancestral home adorned and celebrated in such finery did any Scot’s heart good. Even if the adornment came in Edwardian fashion.
It meant the place wasn’t sitting abandoned and forgotten. Someday, if God allowed, the MacKerrows would run their own business from these walls, celebrating the culture and history, hosting weddings, welcoming visitors.
It was a brilliant plan with the family all in.
Katie could bring her own creativity to it all too. As part of the family.
But for now, even if it involved an extended partnering with Lennox and her dramatics, the house was well cared for and brimming with people who appreciated it.
So where was my particular person of interest?
And then, as if my thoughts materialized into reality, my attention caught on a shimmery sea of teal and ginger locks.
All thoughts of Craighill, kilt pins, and ex-fiancées disappeared. In fact, most everything cleared from my head at the sight of Katie Campbell coming down the stairs in a gown of sea and starlight.
My life had been filled with many bonnie things, but the longer I looked at her, the dimmer those other things became in comparison. Her hair was piled in fiery curls atop her head, leaving ample view of her bare neckline.
My feet responded of their own accord, approaching her.
She caught sight of me as she neared the last step and froze for a second before stumbling.
But I caught her. And immediately my lungs filled with honeysuckle and sea and Katie. Losh, I wanted to catch her over and over again. Right into my arms. And never let go.
Allison’s blame immediately came to mind. But I couldn’t hold on too tight, could I? I had to grasp her and this future loosely, andI was poor at that. Because when I held on to someone, it was for keeps.
“That stumble was your fault this time,” she whispered, her gaze trailing over me as her smile crooked like a temptation. “I got distracted by how braw you look.”
“It’s no comparison to you, Katie Campbell. I’ve never seen such a bonnie lass.”
Her brow raised as if she didn’t believe me. “I would argue with you, but the wordlassfrom your lips is kryptonite to my sarcasm.” She sighed. “It’s pretty much kryptonite to my logic too.”
“Ah!” I held out my hand to her with a bow. “Then I’ll make wise use of it, as long as I’m able. Might I have this dance?” I wiggled my brows. “Lass?”
***
Katie
No man should show up dressed like that and not bring a marriage proposal with him.
