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Blair’s gaze widened at the desperation she found in Alisa’s eyes. She was so close, her eyes unblinking as she stared down at Blair. Her stomach twisted, feeling as if something was entirely wrong. She needed to leave and be rid of Castle Lachlan, nae, Lady Alisa. Blair didn’t know if she could handle any more of her than she already had.
“He can’t stop his love for ye, Blair. I know he’s tried, but he cannot.”
Blair didn’t know what to say, and Alisa’s smile only made her feel worse.
“I would like for ye to become my daughter-in-law.”
Blair blinked, not understanding what was happening or why the change of heart. The lady obviously hated her and was scheming something, but why? Blair shook her head and reached for the reins once more. “Nae. I don’t believe ye.”
Alisa moved in front of her horse, blocking Blair’s one chance at escape. “I know what I said before, but the laird made me promise to protect ye, Blair, and this is the best way I know how.” She leaned forward, brushing Blair’s hair away from her ear before whispering lowly, “Marry my son. Become my daughter-in-law, and this place can be yer home. It’s what the laird would have wanted.”
Blair watched Alisa straighten, a bright smile spreading across her face as if she had already agreed to the arrangement. She knew she should turn around, take the horse, and return, but return to where? To that dilapidated cottage where she would be alone again? There was no future for her there.
But was there a future for her here?
She had lost the one person whom she could rely on, the one person who had given her a home, a duty. He had promised her a future husband at one point. Maybe this was her chance.
Or maybe Lady Alisa would throw her to the wolves. Blair swallowed the lump in her throat. She wanted to be rid of Alisa, rid of this conversation. She forced a smile, forced a curt nod in the hopes Alisa would return to the castle and leave Blair to her plans.
“I will speak with him,” Blair said, her voice strained.
Alisa nodded, her hand on Blair tightening as she turned around. “Then ye will speak with him at once.”
Blair stumbled forward as Alisa pulled her through the stables and out to the courtyard. Soldiers glanced their way yet didn’t pay them any mind as Alisa stalked at a brisk pace into the castle keep.
“Wait!” Blair called, tripping over her feet to keep up.
Alisa chuckled yet didn’t turn around nor slow her pace. “Love never waits.”
The door to the garden opened, and Alisa pushed her inside, slamming the door closed before Blair could get a word in. Her eyes widened on Daniel, slowly rising from his blanket in the middle. A spread of cheese, bread, and a variety of dried meats rested before him as well as cups filled with steaming tea.
Blair hesitantly walked forward, looking around herself and finding no one. She was thankful there wasn’t an audience around them, yet the small picnic in the garden made her stomach twist and her heart thunder. She felt like she was going to be sick.
“Good morn,” Daniel said, his cheeks flushed while he held out a bouquet of primroses for her.
Blair took them from his grasp, inhaling their floral scent while Daniel ushered her towards the blanket in the middle of the garden. “What is all this?” she asked, her gaze drifting back to the door. Everything was happening so fast. One minute she was leaving, and the next, she was speaking with Lady Alisa’s son about possible marriage arrangements.
She needed everything to stop, just for a moment. The laird had only died days before. Why did Lady Alisa wish for them to speak so soon?
“It’s for ye,” Daniel said while kneeling in front of her, taking her hand in his.
Blair stilled. Was he going to ask her now? This soon?
“I have loved ye from the first moment we met.”
Blair’s eyes widened. Her bouquet dropped from her hands. It was too soon.
“I want to make ye happy, Blair. I want us to be happy together.”
Blair wanted to tug her hand away from his, but she felt rooted to the ground. She was still mourning the laird’s death. She couldn’t fathom a proposal now, especially given that she loved another man.
Her eyes widened.
She loved Aindreas.
She had finally admitted to herself that her affections for him were more than deep care and longing. Deeply and truly, she loved him.
“Will ye marry me, Blair?”
