“Och, Malcolm, ’tis what I wish fer most in the world!” The words came out as a breathless sob as she entwined her fingers with his, feeling his warmth and strength flowing into her. “And again, yes! I’d be proud tae be yer wife.”
The tension in his shoulders visibly released all at once. The lines of worry vanished from his face as he pulled her into his arms. The kiss that followed was different from all the others that had come before. It was deep and tender, holding the promise of a bright future spent together.
When they finally broke apart, his forehead rested briefly against hers.
“Now I ken ye’re fully certain, I’ll speak tae Duncan, ask fer his blessin’,” he murmured.
“Aye, as soon as ye can, me love,” she replied, hearing the excitement in her voice. “After all this waitin’, I’m impatient tae officially be yer betrothed.”
Breathless with elation, she momentarily lost herself in the dark, melting chocolate of his tender gaze, hardly able to believe her cherished dream was about to come true.
“I never imagined such happiness would be mine,” she added, smiling, her fingertips tracing his strong, stubbled jaw. Truly, he had never looked more handsome.
“I feel the same. Och, ye make me so happy, Cat, happier than I’ve a right tae be, I’m sure.”
“Ye have a perfect right, no less than others,” she told him firmly. “I’m yers, Malcolm. And ye’re mine. Och, I love ye so much!” She hugged him tightly, peppering his face with small kisses, his soft laughter only increasing her joy.
A short while later, Malcolm walked her to his study and ushered her inside, closing the door behind them.
“I should get back tae work,” he said with soft regret, looking at the neat piles of correspondence lying on his desk. “I’ve been shirkin’ me duties.”
She tilted her head, unable to resist teasing him just a little. “Well, yer discipline was never very impressive.”
A reluctant smile tugged at his mouth. “Can ye blame me? Ye’ve always been me greatest distraction, Cat.”
Her breath caught at the warmth in his tone. Before she could answer, he bent and kissed her, pressing his lips to hers with exquisite gentleness. She melted into him.
The next thing she knew was the sound of the door opening. Abruptly, they pulled apart, heads turning to see who had come in.
Catriona’s heart dropped like a stone. Duncan was standing there on the threshold, his mouth open in shock. Silently, he looked from one to the other. Then his mouth snapped shut, his expression hardening. But she could see the pain of betrayal in his eyes as they fixed on Malcolm.
“So, this is what ye’ve been up tae behind me back, is it? I’d started tae suspect somethin’ was goin’ on,” he said with frightening calm.
“Duncan, I’m sorry ye had tae find out like this, but I swear, I was just comin’ tae speak tae ye,” Malcolm began, stepping closer to Catriona.
Duncan shook his head, regarding him with narrowed eyes. “I trusted ye tae protect me sister, nae compromise her,” he said with contained anger. “I never fer a minute suspected ye’d betray me like this, Malcolm.”
He stepped forward and took hold of Catriona’s wrist, drawing her away towards the door.
“Duncan, will ye please just listen—” she began, trying to pull away. But he tightened his grip, refusing to look at her.
Malcom did not try to get in the way but stepped nearer, exchanging a worried glance with Catriona as he tried to reason with Duncan.
“Listen, man, I’m tellin’ ye the truth. I was about tae come and find ye and speak tae ye,” he repeated, though Catriona could see the tension tightening his shoulders. “And I will now if ye give me the chance.”
She looked back at her brother, pulling back as he tried to lead her away, praying he would stop and listen, give Malcom the chance he requested.
Duncan’s jaw flexed. “This is nae how it should have been done,” he said, crushing her hopes.
“D’ye think I dinnae ken that, man? Is this how ye think I wanted this tae go? Malcolm replied. “I ken ye’re angry, but what I feel fer Catriona is true and I’ll nae try tae deny it.”
Catriona threw him a look of adoring desperation, digging her heels into the rug, trying to resist her brother’s attempt to lead her from the room. But it was in vain. Bit by bit, she was being pulled away from Malcolm.
“Duncan, please listen,” she argued, holding back the tears pressing at the back of her eyes, knowing this was not the timeto show weakness. “This isnae about me bein’ compromised. IchooseMalcolm!”
“Enough.” The quiet word cut through the air like a blade, carrying the weight of finality.
Duncan had her almost to the door now, still refusing to meet her eyes. Instead, he kept his gaze pinned on Malcolm, hard, accusatory, and laced with deep disappointment.
