And lovesick or not, she could not allow her mother to be captured.
She leaned forward, urging the geldings faster and faster. But horses pulling a carriage could never match the speed of a single horse and rider.
Bringing his mount abreast of the carriage, Cain leapt from his saddle to their curricle, landing hard on the squab beside Ellie.
“Good evening.”
“Good evening,” she echoed automatically, then slammed her elbow into his ribs. “Get out!”
He smiled. “No.”
Mother closed her eyes and groaned as if suddenly motion sick.
Ellie’s own nerves grew more and more tense as Cain’s hulking presence continued to tower beside her without any attempt to wrest the ribbons from her trembling hands.
When she could stand it no longer, Ellie blurted, “What the devil are you about?”
“I thought it obvious.” He arranged himself more comfortably. “I’m coming with you.”
She tightened her grip on the reins with one hand and sent the other arm flying protectively across her mother. “We are not going meekly to some archaic punishment.”
“I should hope not.”
She sent him a ferocious scowl. “Nor shall we succumb to being imprisoned against our will.”
“Very well.”
Ellie regarded him uncertainly. “Nor will we return to Scotland, now or ever, until and unless all threats have been revoked.”
He lifted a shoulder as if none of those possibilities caused the slightest concern, leaned his head back against the panel, and peacefully closed his eyes. “As you wish.”
Ellie found herself utterly and maddeningly at a complete loss for words.
Mama pushed away Ellie’s protective arm, leaned forward to poke Cain in the leg, and demanded, “What is the meaning of this, Mac Eoin?”
“It means,” he responded without opening his eyes, “I’m in love with your daughter.”
“What?” Ellie choked out, at the same moment her mother exclaimed, “What?”
Cain turned to face Ellie’s mother. “As I understand, it is human tradition to request permission to wed from the bride’s father.”
Ellie blinked at him stupidly. “What?”
“As he is no longer present,” Cain continued without taking his focus from her mother, “it is my fervent hope that her mother will acquiesce. Agnes Munro, will you grant me the honor of marrying your daughter, Elspeth Ramsay?”
“What?” Mama repeated blankly, the word barely audible above the hoofbeats and howling wind.
Ellie let the reins slacken as she turned to face Cain dead-on. “Is this a jest?”
“Not in the slightest,” he answered simply. When the corner of his mouth lifted in an uncertain smile, there was no doubting the sincerity of his words.
A vicious, dangerous, swirl of hope began to unfurl in Ellie’s heart. “But you were so angry?—”
“I was startled.” He gently touched his knuckles against the curve of her cheek. “You breathe, Ellie. Your heart beats. Your human blood rushes in your veins. And you bit me.”
Mama clutched at her throat. “Elspeth!”
“It was an accident,” Ellie mumbled guiltily.
