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Donella laughed. “I suppose I’d best find Logan and get it sorted before any more disasters occur.”
Alasdair swept her into his arms. “Good lass. And if he gives you any guff, tell him that I’ll rip his heart out.”
Donella hugged him back. “Thank you, dearest, for everything.”
“My pleasure. Now, let’s go and stop all hell from breaking loose.”
She still felt a bit shaky. “Can you give me a minute to compose myself?”
“Absolutely.” He started toward the door. “But no more whisky. Can’t have you passing out at your own betrothal party.”
“I promise I’ll be right out.”
When he was gone, Donella smoothed her skirts, fluffed her curls, and made sure her bandeau was on straight. Then it was time to go tell the man she loved that she did, in fact, love him.
She closed her eyes for a moment and sent up a silent prayer for courage. Then she said one of thanks—for her family, her friends, and for the chance to start again.
Leaving the quiet shelter of the library, she lingered for a moment in the corridor. The sounds of revelry drifted from the front of the manor—talking, laughter, and the sound of music. She smiled because, astonishingly, she wanted to be part of it, especially with Logan.
Then she heard a quick rush behind her. Turning, she found herself face-to-face with someone she’d never hoped to see again.
The years had taken their toll on Mungo Murray. He was wizened and hunched, barely coming up to her chin. But anger still burned in his rheumy gaze.
The two men with him were neither old nor frail. She recognized them from the attempted abduction on the bridge.
“Well met, lass,” Mungo rasped, pulling a pistol from his greatcoat. “It’s time we had a wee chat.”
* * *
“Where the hell is she?” Logan growled as he strode down the corridor. “It’s almost midnight. We need to make the blasted announcement.”
“How the hell should I know?” Alec retorted. “She said she’d be right out.”
That had been well over a half hour ago, and still Donella hadn’t appeared. Having reached the end of his patience, Logan had decided to track down his elusive prey once and for all.
“Perhaps she went upstairs to freshen up,” Edie said, trying to keep pace with them.
“I sent a footman to check a few minutes ago,” Alec said. “She’s not there.”
“Damn, damn, damn,” Logan muttered under his breath. He could only hope she wasn’t halfway to some blasted convent by now.
He’d made the usual cock-up. Donella was justifiably angry with him, and he’d tried not to put pressure on her. That was why he’d left her alone these last three nights, even though he’d been crawling out of his skin. He was beginning to think that had been a capital mistake.
Three days and three nights without Donella had made him realize how madly in love he was with the lass. He had every intention of telling her just that—if she didn’t murder him first.
“Perhaps she’s in the nursery. With Joseph spending the night, she might have wanted to visit him,” Edie breathlessly said as she scurried beside them.
Alasdair slowed his pace. “Now that’s an idea. Would you mind checking?”
Edie nodded and turned back in the opposite direction.
“Donella obviously still doesn’t want to talk to me,” Logan said.
He wanted to throw something, preferably a large and breakable item. On top of everything else, his son wouldn’t speak to him. As far as Joseph was concerned, Logan had ruined everything, because Donella wouldn’t be his mother. He’d tried to reassure the boy that it would be fine, but Joseph hadn’t believed him.
What else is new?
They turned into the cross-corridor that led to the library.
