Afternoon shifted into evening, and at last, the Duc came to stand by her side. “We’ll sail south for a few hours and then drop anchor for the night,” he informed her.
Normally, they would not sail until the morning tide, but she knew this was to put more distance between her and the MacKinloch men.
“Marguerite, did you hear what I said?” He touched her arm, and she jerked back.
“I have nothing at all to say to you.”
“We let him go,” her father said. “I kept my word to you, to let him live.”
Slowly, she faced him. He stood before her as the man she’d once adored, the man who had been the only parent she remembered.
“Why?” she asked softly. “Why is it so important to you that I wed the earl and not Callum? My sisters have already made strong marriages. You don’t need this alliance.”
“You are my last daughter. I want what is best for you.”
“You don’t see what is best for me. I want to live with the man who will love me for the rest of my life. Other men see only my rich dowry. But Callum sees me.” The wind grew colder against her skin, and the ship began to move upon the water. “None of that matters to you, does it?”
“Let him go, Marguerite. He’s not good enough for you.”
She didn’t bother wasting words, trying to convince a blind man to see the truth. Instead, she walked away from him, needing to distance herself from everyone and be alone with her thoughts.
Her mind was in turmoil, like the waves sloshing against the side of the ship. With each mile that passed, she saw her chance at happiness slipping away.
Not once had Callum ever given up. He’d traveled endless days to find her. Even at the end, he’d fought to bring her away with him.
The icy water seemed to taunt her, pulling her away from the man she loved. The servants had set out a light meal for the others, and they called out for her to join them. She ignored their summons, not at all hungry.
Behind her, she heard the sounds of the men eating, and voices whispering about her. No doubt they were congratulating themselves for saving her from the MacKinlochs.
She hated them for it.
When darkness spilled over the sky, overshadowing the sun, the earl returned to her again. He stood beside her, his hands resting upon the side of the boat. “Are you well, Marguerite?”
“You know that I am not.” She let out a sigh, her hands twisting together.
“Words will not reassure you, will they?”
She shook her head. “If the one you loved was standing on that shore, and you were in my place, what would you do?”
He grew very still, not answering for a long time. Then he admitted, “I would leave the ship.”
Marguerite faced him and took both of his hands in hers. “Both of us are behaving like cowards. You don’t truly wish to wed me, for you love someone else.”
“It is different for me.”
“Is it? You’re the Earl of Penrith. You own dozens of estates, and there is no reason why you should not seize your own happiness.”
“Already I am treated as an outcast, because I have his favor. Many men have sought to kill me for what I am. The Church believes—”
“Are you happy, living like this?” she interrupted.
The earl remained silent, staring out at the water. “No. But I haven’t a choice.”
“Is there no one else who could be your heir?”
He shook his head slowly. “My brothers are dead. I am the last of my family, and if I do not have an heir, I forfeit my lands to the king.” A melancholy edged his face, and he added, “You see, you are not the only one with much to lose.”
His arm came around her shoulders, and the gesture brought her a slight comfort. “Marguerite, if I could find a way out for either of us, I would take it.”
