Ewan’s eyes widened. ‘You know how Father will react,’ he stated.
‘Aye.’ She held her brother’s gaze and squared her shoulders. ‘But I still choose this.’
If she had physically slapped him, Ewan could not have appeared more stunned. Her brother blinked back at her. ‘You choose him over us? Over family?’ he faltered. ‘Over me?’
Moira’s grip on Rory’s arm tightened, and he placed a hand on top of hers to try to will her his strength. ‘It is not like that, brother. Do not make it so.’
‘You know Father will forbid us to see you.’
‘But you do not have to yield to his commands. You will be laird soon. You can make your own decisions. We will only be estranged if you choose it.’
He shifted his gaze to Moira, his eyes softening on her. ‘If you change your mind, sister, I will come for you. Always. Just send word.’ He hesitated, perhaps hoping for a change in heart from her.
‘You will always be welcome at Blackmore,’ Rory added tightly, despite the growing sense of protection and irritation he was beginning to feel. Her brother had no right to put her betwixt them.
Ewan glared at him. ‘Perhaps I will take you up on your offer to visit, long after you are dead.’ He turned on his heel and left them.
Rory started after him on instinct until Moira tugged him back, tears filling her eyes. She blinked them back and met his gaze. ‘He is going in to find help to stop us. If you still wish to leave, we must go now.’
Her turquoise eyes pleaded with him, and he reminded himself that he had promised to care for and protect her. Her family was of little consequence for now. This was their window of escape, and they had to seize it.
‘My laird,’ Angus called from the drive, holding the carriage door open.
‘Aye,’ Rory called to him and nodded. ‘Then let us go. At once.’ He lifted the bag she carried from her hand and escorted her down the steps.
He began to hand off the small satchel to one of the drivers to be settled in the back where all of their bags were stacked and tied through, but she pressed a hand to his arm. ‘Please. May I keep this with me?’
The emotion in her voice caused him to pause, smile and return it to her. ‘Of course.’
‘Yer other belongings, Mrs Fraser?’ Angus enquired.
‘My maid has packed all I require.’
‘Just the one satchel and trunk?’ he asked, lifting his brow.
‘Aye. The rest can remain.’ The tightness in her jaw and set of her chin told him there was far more meaning in her reply.
She sniffed and forced a smile as she accepted Angus’s hand and stepped up into the carriage. Rory followed suit and settled into the bench seat opposite her. When the carriage door closed, and the horses settled into a smooth cadence, Moira sat back and sighed.
‘I thought you were mad to suggest such a hasty departure, and I had every reason to believe it would never work. Yet, here we are on our way,’ she said wistfully.
‘You will soon learn that a man like me who has a finite amount of time makes a habit of getting things done quickly.’
‘I suppose you have a point.’ She stared out the window, her eyes following the landscape as the carriage continued to pick up speed. To his surprise she never looked back to Glenhaven on the long winding drive out of the castle grounds, not even once. She only looked forward.
Chapter Nine
Surely she had lost all reason. Why else would she be fleeing with a dying man in broad daylight to marry him when marriage was literally the very last thing she wished to ever do again?
Perhaps Ewan and Fatherwereright. She was being rash in suddenly affixing herself to this man whom she did not know, but her gut told her she was doing the right thing. Leaving her future in the hands of her father and brother seemed reckless, especially after her first attachment. She squared her shoulders. And while it had been some time since that quiet voice within herself had been loud enough to hear, she wanted to listen to it again and trust herself and her judgment. If this were to fail, she wished to be the cause and blame of it. She no longer wished to be the dutiful daughter following commands, especially when none of those commands had her best interests at heart.
If only Ewan could understand. But how could he? He would never know what it felt like to be her. He was a man and a man had options. As a future laird, he had options in spades. Moira’s heart pulled at the memory of Ewan’s face when he had pleaded with her on the castle stairs. Why couldn’t he understand thatthis, this man, was her chance at the life of peace and quiet and solitude she craved? She could be married, have the protection of his clan and his people, and then after his...demise, she could pursue the remainder of her days whittling away in her garden, in the library, and choosing her own pursuits. The mere thought of such a future filled her with hope. A feeling she had not had in quite some time.
A feeling she had missed. She clutched her bag tightly and then cringed, relaxing her hold. If she wasn’t careful, she would crush the wee things.
She glanced up to find Rory studying her with a rueful grin. He pointed to her bag. ‘Shall I ask what it is you guard with your very life? Family jewels perhaps?’
A nervous laugh escaped her lips. What would he think? Did she dare show him now? Perhaps she should wait until after they were wed to be sure he didn’t change his mind.
