"You cannot let that happen, even if you must steal her away. The man is a brute."
"Aye, but if I do that I could make an enemy of my good friend. Brodie would not look favorably on anyone kidnapping his sister."
***
CATRIONA PACED FROMone side of her bedchamber to the other, wishing Torr would make haste and conclude his conversation with his friend. She did not want to be greedy about her time with the man she loved, but she was eager to hold him and bask in their feelings for each other. He had not proposed as of yet, but hopefully, he would soon. Giddiness and excitement near overwhelmed her.
Would he ask her to marry him tonight? Or should she propose again?
Nay, 'twould not be appropriate. She refused to appear desperate... even though she was.
"Nay, I am not," she whispered. Taking a deep breath, she attempted to calm herself.
Torr had said he loved her, but would he change his mind now that the curse was banished? Surely, that would be against the rules of magic.
A light knock sounded at the door. She jumped and spun around, her heart pounding.
"Saints," she hissed, then rushed to the door. She opened it to find Torr waiting outside. She could not suppress her bright smile as thrilling tingles passed over her. "Come in," she whispered, hoping no one was within earshot.
He entered, looking pleased to see her, his green eyes dark with interest. "What if Aggie should come in."
"'Twill nay happen." Cat closed the door and barred it.
Torr lifted a brow and gave her a curious yet roguish look.
Her face heated. "I gave Aggie the night off. She has worked herself into exhaustion."
"'Tis true. I hope she and Maude are resting." He drew Cat into his arms and kissed the top of her head. "We shall set off to Farspag in the morn. Gavin, Dani, and their clansmen will accompany us. Will you be ready?"
Now that the time had come to return to her clan, panic tightened Cat's throat. She drew back to gaze up at him, hoping to absorb some of his confidence and strength. "I'm afraid to go back. What if they still try to make me marry the MacPeter?"
Torr's eyes glinted with malicious intent. "I'll nay allow the whoreson to take my future wife from me."
