Her head jerked up, and her eyes widened. “What are you talking about? If anyone should apologize, it’s me. I feel horrible.”
He shook his head. “Please, let me explain. I had no right to barge into Alex’s room. I was angry and worried about you. I regret that I forced the very thing that I’d hoped to prevent.”
His kindness only made her feel worse. She’d treated him badly, and he’d been nothing but a friend to her. “Jamie, I’m so sorry—”
He squeezed her hand, cutting off her reply. “I’d be honored if you would consent to be my wife.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You must be joking.”
He bristled at her astonishment. “I’m quite serious. I would never jest about something so important.”
“But, Jamie,” she started, still aghast. “After what you witnessed, surely you can’t want to marry me.”
“I care for you very much, Meg. We share many of the same interests, we think alike.” He smiled at her. “It is a good match, our families would approve. And nothing Alex MacLeod does can change that.”
Meg couldn’t believe it. She’d never dreamed that Jamie would still want to marry her. He was offering her the ability to salvage everything she’d worked for.
She studied his face, searching. “But do you love me?” she asked quietly.
“Of course I love you. I love you as much as I love my sister—”
“That’s just it,” she interrupted, a crooked smile on her lips. “Don’t you see? I’m not your sister. Are youinlove with me?”
A flush stained his cheeks. “Of course I’m in love with you, whatever ‘in love’ means.”
“If you have to ask, you are not in love with me.”
Jamie raked his fingers through his hair. “Meg, why is this so important? Our positions dictate that we marry where our duty lies. You have a duty to your father”—she flinched at the blunt reminder—“to marry. A marriage tie with the Campbells is just what your clan needs. I can help Ian. I can protect your clan. I want you to have a choice. You don’t need to marry Alex MacLeod. He’s not what you think.”
No, he wasn’t.“I’m not marrying Alex.”
Jamie looked taken aback. “But I thought—”
“I changed my mind.”
“Good, then marry me.”
“You don’t have to sacrifice yourself, Jamie. I don’t blame you for anything. I knew what I was doing.”
“I assure you, Meg,” he said stiffly, “marrying you would not be a sacrifice.”
She reached for his hand. “Don’t be angry. I meant no offense. You are a good friend, Jamie. You must think me terribly ungracious. To ask me to marry you after what you saw…Well, not many men would do that.”
“Now is not the right time.” He bent down and pressed a gentle kiss on the top of her head. “Don’t decide right now. I’m confident that when you’ve had time to think over my offer, you will realize that it is indeed for the best.” He cupped her chin with his fingers, forcing her to meet his gaze. “I do love you. I will make you happy.”
Her eyes misted. She nodded, seeming to reach a decision. “You are truly a good friend, I don’t deserve you. I must return to Dunakin. Perhaps on Skye things will seem more clear.”
“Very well, then. Talk it over with your father. You will see that what I’m proposing is best, when you are away from here.”
She knew what he meant. Away from Alex MacLeod.
Chapter 18
Dunakin, Isle of Skye, September 1605
Three weeks was apparently time enough to fallinlove, but not long enough to falloutof love. Meg had this unfortunate truth drummed into her head each morning when she woke, hoping this would be the day that she forgot about Alex, this would be the day she could get on with her life and put Edinburgh behind her.
She grimaced. Three weeks, three years, it didn’t make a difference. She would remember. Everything. Every detail of those precious few weeks rolled through her mind as vivid as if it were yesterday. Alex’s strength and natural command. The way he walked into a room and made every other man superfluous. The calm under pressure and immediate control he displayed in the midst of danger. The way he made her feel safe. But most of all, she remembered the exquisite pressure of his arms around her, the warmth of his skin heating hers, the way her heart fluttered when he kissed her, and the erotic sensation of him inside her. Filling her. Making her complete.
