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To her horror, he suddenly took hold of her and kissed her ardently. Ailsa, embarrassed beyond bearing, squirmed out of his grasp, wiping his kiss away with the back of her hand. ‘Hamish McDougall what on earth do you think you are doing? And in the chapel too, shame on you!’
‘You love me Ailsa, I know it.’
‘I most certainly do not.’
‘There’s no need to be delicate about it Ailsa.’
‘Hamish, I am sure there are very many girls who are mad in love with you but I am not one of them.’
‘I don’t believe you.’
‘Listen to me, you fool, I am not in love with you. My feelings do not, and never have gone, beyond friendship.’
‘So what are you saying? You love Campbell now?’
‘I will not discuss my husband. Hamish, I am fond of you but that is all. Go to Edinburgh and make something of yourself. I wish you well, in fact, I wish you all the happiness in the world but you must go and forget about me because, this… you and I…will not happen. It cannot...because… I do care for my husband, very much.’ There, she had said it out loud. It was like laying down a great burden to acknowledge it.
Hamish looked shocked, the thought that she would reject him had obviously never entered his head. Though Ailsa was infuriated with him she had no wish to hurt him. They were of a similar age but suddenly he seemed so much younger than her. She had done her growing up in the turmoil of the last year but apparently, he still had his before him.
‘Ailsa, I always thought that one day we would be wed. You led me to believe that you cared for me,’ he said indignantly.
‘I did no such thing. I never encouraged you and you never spoke to me of these feelings.’
‘I didn’t think I had to for you were always warm to me and you flirted and made eyes at me at Morag’s wedding. And when the Campbells took Cailleach and I came to you, your eyes lit up at the sight of me.’
Ailsa was truly astonished by his arrogance. ‘You are mistaken, Hamish. If I unconsciously led you to believe that I had feelings for you then please know that I did not mean to.’
‘So you led me on for your own amusement and let me humiliate myself with my proposal.’
There was an injured, whining tone to his voice that grated on Ailsa’s nerves. ‘I did not invite this piece of foolishness and you cannot, with any honour, propose to a woman who is already married! What you are suggesting is that I become your mistress and be dragged into a life of sin.’
“I did it because I love you.’
‘Hamish, you do not know what that means,’ she said shaking her head.
‘I see,’ he said curtly. ‘So I throw my heart at your feet and you choose to stamp on it.’
‘Hamish…’
‘I must go whilst I still have some remnant of my dignity.’
‘Yes, that would be best.’ Ailsa pressed her lips together to stifle a laugh. He was so pompous, puffed up like a bullfrog, a picture of outraged pride. In spite of that, she couldn’t let them part this way.
‘I am sorry Hamish. I know that you meant well and please know that I have treasured your friendship these past years and hope to have it always.’
‘Of course you have my friendship Ailsa and I hope Campbell learns to appreciate his good fortune,’ he said through gritted teeth.
He walked away and at the chapel door, he turned. ‘Forgive my impertinence,’ he said stiffly, grappling with his disappointment.
‘Nothing to forgive,’ she said mortified and trying not to show it.
When he had gone she put her hands over her face, trying to compose herself to endure Hugh’s company at supper but smiling inwardly at the absurdity of Hamish’s behaviour. She wished Duncan would return though she resolved to tell him nothing of what had just happened. No matter his conceit, Hamish did not deserve Duncan’s wrath, nor did anyone for that matter.
Chapter Seventeen
Duncan reached Dunslair just before dawn. He had ridden hard, ahead of the rest of his men, exhausted but hopeful of a joyous reunion with Ailsa. But instead of being able to rush to her side he had been summoned by his uncle.
‘So it’s over, we’ve won,’ said Hugh smirking, as if it were his triumph and his alone.
