“How much?”
Silence.
Her eyes narrowed. “Howmuch, Master MacTavish?”
He was going to have to tell her. Damn Gillespie and his greedy heart.
He wiped a hand down his face. “Two thousand pounds.”
“Twothousandpounds?!” She hissed at the sum. “That’s . . . that’s staggering! Why wasn’tIoffered that money? I would have happily walked here for two thousand pounds!”
“Is that all it would have taken?” Kieran raised an eyebrow. “I shall have tae remember that in the future.”
Her eyes narrowed, not appreciating his attempt at humor. “So Gillespie makes off with a King’s ransom for luring me to you, while I receive nothing?”
“Oh, I didnae say that.” Kieran wanted to list outright everything he would give her—his beating heart, his endless devotion, every last shilling to his name. Instead, he went with, “Mr. Patterson would like tae speak with ye tomorrow—”
“So you’ve said.”
“—and ye must look the part of a proper lady.” He turned to consult the long clock standing in the corner. “I do believe Lady Kildrum’s fine dressmaker from Aberdeen shall be arriving within the hour to see ye outfitted with a new wardrobe.”
Silence.
Jamie blinked, as if struggling to process what he had just said.
“Gillespie gets money. And I receive . . .dresses?” She imbued the word with acidic disdain.
“I do believe most women find dresses to be desirable things,” he smiled wanly. “I suspect that there will likely be shoes and a bonnet or two thrown in for good measure.”
“And if I want money, as well?”
He studied her. Perhaps he had been wrong earlier. Perhaps she did know that he would give her everything.
Every last cent to his name. The very breath in his lungs.
“I will deny ye nothing,” he whispered. “Tell me what ye want, and I will see it done.”
She didn’t hesitate. “I want to go home.”
“Home? To Dumbarton?” He named the town near Glasgow where the Fyffe family had lived.
“No. To Yorkshire.Thatis home now.”
Kieran forced himself not to react.
Time.
She needed time.
Time to adjust.
Time to trust him again.
Time to remember.
But how was she to do those things if she left him?
“Tomorrow, after this meeting with the procurator fiscal, will you give me the funds to return home?” she asked.
