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“Then since I am not immune to flattery, I shall have to be on my guard.”
His expression turned serious. “It’s not flattery, Kathleen. You’re brave and kind, and you’re a hell of a lot smarter than I am.”
She held up a finger. “But you’re much better with numbers. You practically print money, remember?”
“And you joke when you’re nervous.”
She crinkled her nose. “My father and Helen remind me of that on numerous occasions. I’ve tried to break the habit, but I can’t seem to manage it.”
He looked comically dismayed. “Och, please don’t compare me to your parents when I’m about to launch into a marriage proposal. It’s deflating, ye ken.”
“We certainly cannot have you deflating.” She flapped a hand. “Oh, dear. That sounded rather improper, didn’t it? I’m sorry. I’m terrible at this sort of thing.”
Grant pushed off from the rail and joined her on the bench. When he took her hand, her insides skittered. But then he wove their fingers together, and it suddenly felt like the most natural thing in the world.
For several long moments, they sat in comfortable silence. When she tilted her head to study his profile, she found him staring at their hands, a frown marking his brow.
“Is something wrong?” she softly asked.
“It would seem I’ve been getting everything wrong from the beginning.”
Now it was her turn to frown. “What do you mean?”
“Kathleen, I know that I have seemed disapproving at times, and I truly apologize for giving you the impression that you are anything less than wonderful and perfect.”
She felt another flush rise into her cheeks. “No one is perfect, sir.”
“You’re perfect for me.”
“But I’m dreadful with rules and propriety. As much as I might try, I truly don’t think I can change that.”
“And you think I would object to that?” He shook his head. “Sweetheart, I wouldn’t change a damn thing about you.”
“Actually, you alreadyhaveobjected, and more than once.”
“Touché,” he wryly replied. “But only when I thought you were putting yourself in a dodgy situation or in harm’s way.”
“I wasn’t in harm’s way yesterday when we were in that smugglers’ hut and we . . .” She twirled her free hand. “You know. And you were an absolute bear, afterward. I wasquiteannoyed.”
He grimaced. “You’re right, and I’ve been kicking myself about that ever since. I should have been more attentive to your feelings. And to my feelings, to tell you the truth.”
“Instead, you immediately began managing the situation.”
“I tend to do that. But I know it was not helpful or appropriate given yesterday’s circumstances.”
“Then whydidyou get so fashed?”
“Because we’d already been gone a hell of a long time, by ourselves.”
She sighed. “You were worried about the gossip.”
“I was worried aboutyou, and how the gossip might affect you. But there was another compelling reason, too.”
“Which was?”
When Grant played with her fingers, clearly delaying, Kathleen nudged him.
“Well?” she prompted.
