“Don’t you think arriving without guards will make it appear that my intentions are so strong that I rode out alone?”
Andrew nodded. “It’s not unreasonable that you and Bram travel together since your destination is the same. How will you explain showing up just as he returns from here? It will incriminate him.”
“I’ll say seeing him made me realize that I can’t wait any longer.”
“That’s the truth, isn’t it?”
“Aye.” Eoin returned the embrace his father offered as the older man clapped him on the back. His father was still a giant of a man, and the slap rattled his ribs. “I wish I could ride out this very moment, but Bram deserves a night of proper sleep.”
“True. And it would look suspicious if the mon rode two days just to be here a few hours.”
“I need to find him and tell him my decision.” Eoin stepped around his father and made his way to the door.
Chapter Twenty
Eoin found the evening meal interminable, and he spent a restless night tossing and turning. He was in the stables saddling Gun Eagalas the night sky lightenedjust before the pinks and purples of dawn would make their way over the horizon.
“I figured ye’d be ready to ride before the rooster crows,” Bram announced as he walked into the stables. He made his way to his horse’s stall and began tacking his horse as Eoin finished his. The men mounted in the bailey and rode out.
They pushed their horses throughout the day, and the pace made it impossible to talk. Both men appreciated the relative silence. It spared them the awkwardness of avoiding the betrothal. Eoin was hot and stiff by the time Freuchie Castle came into view. He’d dreaded seeing it the last time, knowing it meant he had to bid Cairstine farewell. Anticipation filled him as he spurred Gun Eagal the last league until they were at the gate and Bram announced them.
Eoin’s eyes swept the bailey, hoping Cairstine might have a reason to be outside. His heart pounded in his ears as he searched for her. He spotted her almost immediately as he looked at the garden. He dismounted and tossed his reins to a stable boy and made his way toward the garden, but Edward intercepted him. The laird had sweat dripping from his brow and sword in hand. Eoin knew someone informed the laird of his arrival, and Edward left the lists to greet him.
“Laird Grant,” Eoin stuck out his arm, the laird glancing at it before extending his own arm.
“What brings you to Freuchie?” There was suspicion in Edward’s gaze and his voice.
“Laird, I’ve come for Cairstine.”
Edward’s eyebrows shot up in mock surprise before his eyes narrowed. “Why?” Eoin expected the man’s forthrightness, but the bluntness of the single word still took him aback.
“I realized that I’ve formed an attachment to Cairstine. She’s an intelligent and kind young lady, and I think we may suit. I wish for you to consider me a suitor.” He could be as blunt as Edward if the man didn’t want to exchange pleasantries.
“That’s surprisingly good timing since I was aboot to send a missive to your father inquiring aboothisinterest in marrying my daughter, and it coincides with her personal guard visiting your clan.”
“I heard of Bram’s arrival, and I couldn’t help but think aboot Cairstine. It made me realize I shouldn’t have ridden away that day. Instead, I should have asked for her hand when I had the chance. I’m praying I still have it.” Eoin’s gaze shifted over Edward’s shoulder as he watched Cairstine and a youthful woman he suspected was her sister walk toward them with baskets of vegetables. As if sensing his gaze, Cairstine looked up and halted. She nearly dropped her basket when her sister continued walking, their arms linked.
Eoin ignored Edward as the laird opened his mouth to speak, rushing to meet Cairstine as she pushed her basket into her sister’s arms and hurried to Eoin. The rest of the world slipped away as their arms went around one another, oblivious to those who watched.
“You came,” Cairstine breathed.
“I promised I would,mo leannan.” Eoin inhaled the scent of roses and lemon, recalling how right it felt to hold Cairstine against him. His cock stirred as he stood with her, and he was certain she felt it, but she didn’t pull away or panic. Rather, she leaned her head back and offered him a mischievous smile. He ducked his head, bringing his mouth to her ear. “I can’t help it.”
“I ken. If I can’t stop how my body feels against yours, then I can’t blame yours.”
Eoin’s cock twitched at her seductive words, and he wanted nothing more than to pull her into the closest storage building and ravish her. But myriad reasons existed that prevented him from fulfilling his wish.
“Gordon, release my daughter. I haven’t agreed to betroth my daughter to you, and you’re making a spectacle,” Edward growled. Eoin and Cairstine pulled apart, but not before Eoin squeezed her hands in reassurance.
“I would ask that we meet sooner rather than later to draft a contract,” Eoin kept his eyes on Edward despite sensing Cairstine’s surprise.
“I haven’t agreed to giving you my daughter. You weren’t on my list of candidates.”
“Because I’m neither a laird nor an heir?”
“Yes.”
The men stood eyeing one another as Cairstine’s gaze shifted between the two before settling on Eoin’s face. He looked down at her and offered a reassuring smile before returning his gaze to Edward and narrowing his eyes. Cairstine remembered her manners and turned to Fenella, who stood wide eyed observing the scene before her.
