“Aye, M’Laird,” she replied, smiling. “I am at your service any time. Call if ye need me.”
Then she left, and Duncan felt grateful that his mother had chosen her so many years ago. He doubted that anyone else would have been so competent or caring.
He called for his dinner and ate it in Eliza’s chamber, watching her sleeping face, his heart aching with love. Once again, he thought of Iona and what he would have done to her if Eliza had died, but he banished the thoughts at once. Eliza had not died, and now that she was safe he would make sure that they built a future together with no rebellious clansmen to stop them.
When Duncan finished his meal, he climbed into bed with Eliza and curled up beside her, then slept deeply and dreamlessly until morning.
When he opened his eyes, Eliza’s warm dark ones were waiting for him. Duncan smiled and kissed her softly. “How do you feel?” he asked, propping himself up on one elbow to look down at her.
“Much better,” she replied. “But I’m really hungry.”
“We can soon fix that,” Duncan replied, grinning.
A moment later, after he had rung for the food, eggs, porridge, and bacon arrived with some strong tea. Duncan insisted on feeding Eliza, who found that she was not quite as ravenous as she thought.
“You still look tired, my love,” Duncan said, noting the dark circles under her eyes with concern.
“My love,” Eliza echoed dreamily. “I love it when you call me that, Duncan.”
“You are my love,” he murmured, kissing Eliza.
“And you are mine,” she replied,
Duncan’s face darkened, then. “There is one last thing we need to take care of,” he said grimly. “I have summoned Maisie, and I will leave you to decide what you wish to do with her.”
Eliza’s heart ached when she saw Maisie. She looked extremely downcast, kept her gaze on the floor, and her eyes were red with weeping. She dropped down on her knees before she looked up.
“Do you have anything to say to your mistress?” Duncan demanded.
“Aye, M’Laird,” Maisie replied. “I am so sorry. I thought I was givin’ ye a sleepin’ draught, an’ Lady Iona said that if I didnae dae it, she would make my life hell.”
Eliza looked at Duncan, realising everything from the kiss to her being been taken had all been her doing.
“She gave me coin, but she threatened me as well. But I shouldnae have done it, Milady. I am so sorry,” Maisie went on.
“Stand up,” Eliza instructed.
Maisie rose to her feet. Eliza at once took pity on her, thinking of all the ways her father had put pressure on her to do things against her will, and she had no choice but to obey.
She sighed and said, “You betrayed me, Maisie, and I will try to forgive you, but it will take time. I cannot trust you any longer, so I am dismissing you, but if Iona gave you money you may go and live in the village for the time being. I’m sure there is someone there who will take you in.”
Maisie was sobbing, but she looked up in astonishment when she heard Eliza’s words.
“Thank you, Milady,” she said gratefully.
Clearly, she had expected a much worse punishment. She was still weeping as she walked out, but it was with relief, not sadness.
“I would have hanged her,” Duncan said grimly.
Eliza shook her head. “I know what it feels like to be pressured and coerced,” she replied. “She is not a bad woman, Duncan.”
“You are much kinder than I am, Eliza Sinclair,” Duncan murmured as he kissed her again.
It was a passionate, hungry kiss, sealing the promise he had just made to her. Their betrothal was real, and Eliza was going to be Duncan’s bride. When they drew apart, she looked into his fascinating amber eyes and asked, “Is that a proposal, My Laird?”
He smiled. “No, this is a proposal, My Lady.” He knelt on one knee by her bed. “Marry me, Eliza, because I cannot live without you.”
Tears sprang into Eliza’s eyes, and she reached out to cup her face in her hands.
