With that, she gave him one last fond farewell glance and slipped quietly out of the door while no one was around to see her, already missing his presence as she made for the gardens.
Evening found Catriona in her chambers, standing before the fire drying off after bathing before supper, reluctantly washing away the glorious evidence of her passionate tryst with Malcolm in the hidden room.
She was fastening the ties of a fresh gown when there came a knock at the door.
“Come in,” Catriona said, wondering why Isla had returned after being dismissed an hour since. She was surprised when another, older maid called Maggie entered instead. “Aye, Maggie, what is it?” she inquired.
The woman seemed nervous as she stood just inside the door, bobbing a curtsey.
“I bring an urgent message for ye, me lady. ’Tis very important that ye go tae the chapel right away. Someone’s waitin’ there tae speak with ye.”
Catriona stopped what she was doing. “The chapel? But why? Who sent ye?” she asked, frowning at the maid quizzically.
The woman shifted uneasily on her feet. “I’m sorry, but I’m nae allowed tae say, me lady. I’m only tae tell ye tae go there at once.”
Catriona could not guess who might have summoned her. But the message sounded urgent.
“All, right, thank ye. I’ll go directly.”
The maid looked relieved as she dropped a curtsey and departed.
Catriona hurried to fasten her gown, speculation racing through her mind. Who could possibly want to meet her there? And why the chapel?
She quickly ruled out Malcolm. He never went there because it reminded him of Arron’s death and the guilt he still carried fer it.
So who?
With her gown finally fastened, she put on her slippers, grabbed her shawl from the back of the door, and left the chamber, hurrying downstairs.
Catriona paused at the threshold, her hand hesitating on the doorhandle as she listened. No sound came from within. Taking a steadying breath, she pushed open the door and slipped inside.
“Hello?” she called softly into the hush, frowning in confusion as she cast around the seemingly deserted place. Then, a tall, broad figure shifted in the shadows near the far pews and stepped into the fractured light from the high windows.
Her breath caught in surprise as she recognized him. “Malcolm?”
Brows knitting, she hurried towards him, anxiety flaring hot inside her at finding him there. He came to meet her, and the seriousness of his demeanor filled her with foreboding.
“I dinnae understand,” she murmured, looking up at him worriedly as they stopped just short of each other, as though separated by an invisible wall. “But ye never come in here. Has somethin’ happened?”
His unease at being in the space was almost tangible. “I had tae see ye,” he said quietly.
She gazed up at him, remembering that only an hour ago they had been locked in passionate lovemaking. “But why here, in the chapel?”
His handsome features were strained, his posture tense. But she supposed that was to be expected in this place of ghosts.
“It had tae be here, Cat,” he said simply, his dark eyes upon her.
She searched his expression more carefully now. “Malcolm…”
He took a breath, then another, as though steadying himself. “Nay, love, let me speak. I’ve been thinkin’, and I realize I’ve spent too long lettin’ what happened tae Arran... decide who I am,” he said, taking her hand and leading her to a pew. They sat down.
Her chest tightened at the name.
Sincerity shone in his eyes as he said, “I asked ye tae meet me here because I want ye tae understand how precious ye are tae me. I want tae show ye that I’ve made a choice. I ken now that I need tae face up tae the past, because ’tis the only way I can leave it behind. And I want so much tae leave it all behind and... build a new life of happiness taegether with ye.” He folded both her hands in his large, calloused ones and squeezed them gently. “I love ye, lass, and I’ll give up everythin’ tae be with ye.”
He paused, seeming uncertain, then continued, “I want ye by me side always, as me wife. If ye’ll have me. That is why I am askin’ ye here, in this holy place. ”
Joy blossomed in Catriona’s chest like a flower opening to the sun.
