"Oh. I see." Camille ground her teeth andforced a smile.
"We're keeping it a secret for now. But Sarahis taken with him and he seems equally mad for her."
Mad?Camille watched Dugald for amoment. As far as she could tell, he was devouring his food and notpaying much attention to the girl beside him. Sarah leaned towardhim, talking. He nodded and then glanced at Camille. He frowned andhis gaze darted to MacVay.
Although Dugald did not seem terriblyinterested in Sarah, that did not matter. Rarely did lairds marryfor love. They married for money, power, prestige and alliances. Soeven if Dugald was not enamored with Sarah, he might still wed herfor any of those other reasons. And then he might fall in love withher. It happened sometimes. Her cousin's marriage had been arrangedby the king. Angelique had disliked Lachlan at first, but after afew weeks she fell in love with him, and he with her.
Her appetite suddenly gone, Camille left herspoon in her half-eaten porridge. She sent them another glance, herheart aching. They did make a fetching couple, dark-haired.Sacrebleu! She could not abide it. She pushed herself upfrom the table.
"Pardonnez-moi," she said to LairdMacVay and headed toward the exit. She would simply wait in thebailey until her party was ready to leave. If she didn't get somefresh air now, she feared she would lose her breakfast.
Outside, she greedily inhaled the coolcountry air and felt a bit better. Though the sky was overcast,thankfully no rain fell. Dugald's men were readying the horses fortravel.
"What is amiss?" Dugald asked behind her.
She turned, noticing his confusedexpression.
"Why did you leave the table?" hepersisted.
"I did not feel well." That was the truth atleast. "Will we be leaving soon?"
"Aye. Within a half hour."
"I'm glad."
"What did MacVay say to you?" he asked in alow tone.
She shook her head. She could not speak tohim about it now. "I will tell you once we are away from here."
He frowned. "Did the man make a rudesuggestion?"
"Non. It is nothing really." Sheforced a faux smile, hoping he would not press the issue. "I justwant to go home. I miss my cousin. She is like a sister to me."
He nodded. "I'll be back in a moment. I mustthank our host." He disappeared inside.
Was that the truth of it, or did he wish tosay goodbye to his future bride? Mayhap give her a kiss until nexttime? She could not follow him and watch to see if he kissed thegirl. If he was determined to marry her, then he would. Camillecould do naught to stop him.
One thing was certain—she would not be theparamour of a married man.
She was glad when Owen offered to help hermount the mare. Soon, they would be on their way. After what feltlike an eternity, Dugald finally emerged from the great hall andmounted his stallion. Amid the sounds of dozens of hooves clompingquickly over the cobblestones, they set off.
She refused to look at him. Had he taken thegirl into an alcove and kissed her goodbye? Or would her fatherhave allowed such liberties without killing Dugald or demanding hemarry her on the spot? Her own imagination flayed her and therealization she could never have him was like a dagger to theheart. She did not know why she wanted a man who'd abducted heranyway. He was no better than an outlaw!
But he was supposed to be her outlaw, and noone else's.
"What is wrong?" Dugald asked, riding besideher.
"Naught." She forced the word out past herconstricted throat.
"What did MacVay say to you during the mealto upset you?"
"Naught."
"Do not lie to me, Camille," he warned in alow tone.
She loved it when he said her name. Imagininghim whispering it into her ear near broke her heart. She could nottalk to him now without crying like a bairn, damn her weakness forhim.
They rode on a trail between a loch and thewood. "Halt!" Dugald called and grabbed her reins.
