He grinned and winked. “Question has been around for ages. No one has an answer. I know what ye want. But dae ye ken how tae achieve it?”
“How dae ye ken?”
“I dinnae meet ye yesterday. If ye’re smiling, there’s a solution. What is it? Dinnae worry, I like the lass, I’ll support ye.”
“What makes ye think I need yer support?”
“Ah so there is a plan?”
Duncan gave up. “Aye. The alliance is important. I cannae overlook it. But it cannae be at the cost of my or Emily’s happiness.”
“Emily? The lady has been after ye fer years. If ye married her, she’d be delighted.”
“Nae. She willnae. Tis a curse tae be with one who has another in mind. Eventually, she would grow tae despise me.”
“But yer faither… Bryce. They willnae be pleased.”
“They will have tae find a way. We just lost several men fightin’ for Campbell. Our heart is with them. Emily will learn tae-
Craig’s eyes had drifted to the side. He was looking toward the entrance. Duncan turned and saw Emily standing there, pale as a ghost, her face was white as snow, anger blazing in her eyes. How long had she stood there, listening? He went towards her and she asked, “why dae ye despise me so?”
“Emily, I dinnae.”
Emily screamed, “then why?!”
It was the first time Duncan saw her lose control. Even Craig shrank back in his chair. But he didn’t leave, the gossip.
“Come,” Duncan called. Her anger saddened him. It was terrible, because there was nothing he could do to avoid hurting her. As much as he tried.
He patted the seat next to him. “Sit with me.”
She took a few steps, stopping before him. Her pretty face twisted in anger. “Am I nae beautiful enough? Is me character lacking? I am from a good family and we ken each other well. We are allies…”
This was not how Duncan had planned to tell her. Out of respect for their parents, because he did not want to humiliate her with a rejection. Finally, because he did not want to risk the decline of his father’s health in that manner. Now that it was out in the open, there was no escape.
“Ye’re perfect,” Duncan replied. “Sit, Emily.”
“What is the need? Will ye accept me if I dae?”
Duncan did not utter a word.
Emily’s expression changed from sadness to pure anger.
“Tis the new lass, is it nae?”
Duncan hesitated to answer. She nodded with a bitter grimace.
“Without her, our marriage would still nae have happened. Ye have always kenned this. Marryin’ ye would be like marrying me sister. ‘Tis wrong. Ye have always kenned how I feel about ye.”
Emily shook her head, rejecting his soft words. “It would have been better if ye hated me. Ye’re nae me brother.” She stood toher full height, her expression cold and withdrawn. “Dae ye love her?”
Once he answered this question, there would be no going back. Yet, it rolled off his tongue without difficulty. “I dae.” He had to be honest with her. The truth was the least he could give her.
Muffling a cry, Emily ran for the door. Duncan stood to go with her, but she bumped into Sheena. His sister gave him a confused look.
“Have ye seen Jo?”
“Aye, she is in the courtyard.”
