“I’m not saying that for you, Campbell.” Something between a laugh and sob pulled free of her. “Since your family welcomed me into your home, I’ve learned things about myself I’m not proud of. Trust me, I’d be all too happy if he did care.”
Campbell reached for an object on his nightstand.
Accepting his embroidered kerchief with a word of thanks, Lucy wiped at her damp cheeks.
“Arran believes you and I are betrothed, Lucy,” he said. “He’s too honorable to admit he does care.”
“And he’s been hurt, Campbell, by people he trusted.” Lucy directed her gaze at the rumpled kerchief. “Even if he did have feelings for me, he would never forgive my not being forthright from the start.”
“What was that?”
Confused, Lucy looked up.
“You know about the fallings-outs he’s suffered,” he pressed.
His dark brown eyes were razor sharp on her.
Lucy firmed her loose lips. Having shared that felt like a betrayal, an accidental one, but still another one.
Mr. Smith’s gaze was the most serious she’d seen it. Since he’d awakened…andever.
Campbell nodded slowly. “I see.”
Too much, he did.
Some of the seriousness eased from his features. “Lucy, I have work to do here.”
Lucy promptly stood. “My apologies.” She hesitated. “Though impertinent of me, I feel compelled to say, given your condition, you’d be wise to rest.”
He gave her a gentle smile. “I’m able to do the work I need to from here.”
Finally, something she could do to help him. “Your notebook.” Lucy jumped to her feet. “I’ll fetch your journal and a pen and—”
“Not that kind of work, Lucy.”
Her eyebrows came together.
He clarified. “The role of matchmaker.”
Matchmaker.“You…”
“Me.”
“Matchmaker,” she echoed. “Between—?”
His pointed gaze stopped her.
Now she understood. “Oh, no, Mr. Smith—”
He gave her another meaningful stare.
“Campbell,no.”
“I’m a McQuoid and Smith. We come from a long line of romantics who believe in love that conquers all.”
“You cannot—”
“Lucy, my cousin hasn’t let anyone in, until now.” His gaze softened. “Until you. There is hope for you, and just as importantly, there is finally hope for Arran.”
