When she was done, he paid and took the satchel of things she had bought despite her protest. She watched him leave with a smile, but made no move to catch up, not with how full she was.
It had been a good decision to stop for a meal at the tavern. She wasn’t sure she could eat the evening meal with them.
Leaving the tavern made her realize just how much happiness she had felt all day. It wasn’t how she had thought she would be spending her day, but she couldn’t complain about how it had gone. She almost wished they could stay longer, but the sun was beginning to set, and she wasn’t dressed warmly enough for the chill that came once evening fell.
Her steps were light as they walked, her body thrumming with a subtle happiness and contentment. The worn road they took cut through a verdant field tipped with golden hues that reflected the orange rays of the setting sun. It was one of those perfect days she didn’t wish would come to an end.
“I have somethin’ for ye, Violet,” Ruaridh told her suddenly, and she paused in her tracks, turning to him with a curious look.
She hadn’t seen him stop to buy anything, and aside from the satchel containing the items she had bought, she didn’t see anything on him.
“Oh,” she murmured. “What is it?”
He dropped her satchel and reached into his pocket to produce a small linen satchel, no larger than her hand. She watched with interest as he pulled out a beautiful ring made of sterling silver, with a blue sapphire set in the middle, glinting in the fading light. She gasped when he approached, took her hand in his own, and slid it onto her finger.
Up close, it was even more beautiful than she had imagined, with a stunning filigree design etched into the delicate band of the ring. Around the sapphire, there were little diamonds that made it seem like a flower. It was a most beautiful piece of jewelry, and it looked expensive enough to be a family heirloom.
Why was he giving it to her?
“My Laird, I don’t think you should be giving me this,” she protested, meeting his gaze. “It’s too precious a gift.”
His eyes left hers and went to the ring, still holding her hand, and a small smile crossed his lips. “I daenae think it too preciousto give to ye,” he said. “Nae when ye’re about to become me wife.”
“Still,” she breathed, not having the words in her to argue. “It is very beautiful.”
“Aye, indeed,” he agreed. “It was me maither’s ring. A gift from me faither to her on their wedding day. She was a lovely woman and a kind lady. I give this to ye because I believe ye’ll be just as kind to me people.”
Her eyes widened in surprise.
“Do you truly mean that, my Laird?” she asked with a teasing smile, hoping to keep her words light even if his faith in her had her heart skipping a beat.
“Aye, I do,” he answered. “I have seen the way ye treat Keira and me people. I have faith that ye would be a good addition to the clan and the family.”
Her throat tightened with emotion, and her heart began to pound furiously in her chest.
Why did he have to be so good with his words?
“How can I be sure you’re not jesting?” she asked with a raised eyebrow, refusing to let him see just how much his words affected her.
“I never lie, Violet,” he said with an affronted look that made her smile.
He looked so offended by the prospect of being accused that she couldn’t help but laugh, feeling elated.
Swallowing past the lump in her throat, she stepped forward with a teasing smile. “You never lie, my Laird?”
He quirked an eyebrow and shook his head. “I see nay need to.”
“Even if the truth may embarrass you?” she added, taking another step forward.
His eyes darkened as he watched her, but he nodded. “Especially then,” he answered, his voice gruff.
She risked placing her hands on his shoulders to pull herself up to his height. “And if I were to ask what you were thinking now?” she murmured. “Would you tell me?”
Violet didn’t know what possessed her to act so wantonly, but she felt a pressing need to kiss him, and she couldn’t for the life of her begin to think of any reason to stop herself from doing so.
“I wouldnae be able to say anythin’,” he answered, then wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her to him. “I would rather show ye.”
His lips met hers in a kiss that made her sigh and melt into him, and all the while, she found herself unable to stop smiling. Distantly, she felt his lips quirk up in a small smile as well.
