‘You will think me mad.’
‘Then that shall make two of us.’ He winked and leaned forward, his knee pushing into the folds of fabric of her gown, eliciting a tiny trill of awareness. The heat of him had an oddly comforting and terrifying quality, which she couldn’t quite yet manage. Although she knew she should pull away and create more distance between them, her body craved the gentleness that emanated from him. A kindness she didn’t understand, truth be told, but one she wished to.
But if they were to be married—and they were at this juncture, weren’t they?—she might as well attempt tobeginin truth. ‘Try not to laugh.’
‘I promise,’ he answered, pressing his lips together in a thin line, his mirth replaced by an earnest attempt to be serious.
She lifted the metal closure and opened the bag, so that he might see within. The sight and smell of her sweet leafy babes snug side by side in the makeshift box carrier without a frond out of place made her sigh in bliss. They hadn’t suffered from her hurried packing or from her clutching them for safety as they’d begun the journey.
He leaned closer, so close that his form shadowed her tiny plants. After seeing them, he lifted his head, met her gaze and smiled. Deeply. Her whole being tingled in response. His lips and mouth mere inches from her own.
‘You never cease to surprise me in the very best of ways, Mrs Fraser.’ He reached out and ran a fingertip gently over one of the green fronds, and she sucked in a breath as if he had stroked her own cheek.
Why did he affect her so?
She swallowed and tried to think of what to say. Absolutely nothing came to mind, so she dropped her gaze and stared back down at her beloved plants. ‘I could not bear to leave them.’
‘Then I am glad you brought them. We will find a special place for them at Blackmore until a proper greenhouse can be built for you come spring.’
‘Greenhouse?’ she stammered. ‘You would build such for me?’ Could he possibly mean it? The carriage wheel hit a hole and jostled them within. Both of them reached for the bag to steady the plants, his hands covering her own. The feel of his strong, certain, capable fingers on hers eager to protect whatshecared about most in the world sent her heart hammering in her chest.
‘Have you got them?’ he asked.
‘Aye. Thank you.’
He eased his hands away, and she realised she hadn’t minded his touch.
‘How long will it take to reach Blackmore?’ she sputtered out, eager to distract herself from her thoughts or what they might mean.
‘We will be home before nightfall. It is but a few hours northeast of here along the shore near Oban. Perhaps you’ve been there before?’
‘Nay. This will be the farthest north I have ever travelled. What is it like?’
He stared out the window and an easy, soft wistfulness came into his eyes and the lines in his brow melted away as if the mere thought of his own home transported him there.
‘In a word, lovely. It is a short distance from the coast. It sits high upon the hillside and overlooks the sea. The sunsets are beyond compare. I believe you will find it quite pleasing.’
‘It means a great deal to you and your uncle.’
‘Aye.’ He faced her then.
‘Will he be surprised by our arrival?’ She hadn’t even thought about whether anyone would even be aware of them coming. And, more importantly, would they be pleased about it?
‘Aye. I sent word by messenger ahead of us. Uncle will be expecting us. I must warn you that the household will be turned upside down with excitement upon your arrival, especially since I gave them such little notice. I hope they do not overwhelm you. They have long been in hopes of having a lady to grace the castle walls.’
‘I hope to meet their expectations.’
As well as yours.
‘I am quite certain you will achieve that in spades. And Uncle will find you most intriguing. I will be curious to see what you think of him.’
‘That’s a mysterious statement to drop without explanation. Anything I should be warned of?’
‘Nothing you can’t manage. He’s just a bit eccentric, but he has a propensity to some of the things I know you adore.’
‘Such as?’ she asked, curious to hear what he believed he already knew about her preferences.
‘Hounds and books.’
