“I aim to please, my lady.”
She whacked him playfully. “Not for that, you arrogant beast. For being so understanding.”
“That's the first time I've ever been accused of that.”
She looked at him with those crystal-clear blue eyes that never failed to unnerve him. She saw so much more than he wanted her to. “You don't fool me one bit, Patrick Murray. You aren't nearly as cynical and impervious as you pretend.” She tapped his chest emphatically. “Beneath that steely chest is a tender heart, and I intend to find it.”
The playfulness fled, a sudden pall cast over the moment of joy. “Don't, Lizzie,” he warned, his expression as serious as his tone. “Don't try to find something that doesn't exist. You'll only be disappointed.”
She shook her head. “I love you. You could never disappoint me.”
But he would.
I love you.The words he'd been trying to forget but that seemed to be imprinted on his soul. A ray of light in a pit of blackness. Hope for a man who should know better.
His chest felt as if it were being squeezed in a vise of foreboding. He hugged her tight, savoring the moment of connection. The thought of losing her tore him apart.
He dropped a kiss on her nose. “Come. We need to get you back to the hall before someone comes looking for you.”
“When they hear the news, perhaps they will understand.” Excitement lit her eyes, making her look just like a bairn with a platter of sweets. “I can hardly wait to tell my brothers and cousin.”
Which would be a disaster. Jamie Campbell and Argyll would recognize him. Marriage was only the first hurdle; he still needed to convince her to run away with him— without giving her cause to suspect the true reason.
He hated to put a damper on her excitement, but it was important that her brothers and cousin not learn of their marriage until it was too late to be undone. His voice, though grave, gave no hint of his unease. “Are you sure that is wise?”
Her brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“You know as well as I do that your brothers and cousin will not be pleased with your choice of husband. They want you to marry Robert Campbell, not a guardsman with little but his sword to recommend him. I don't want to give them an opportunity to refuse their consent.”
She eyed him warily. “What are you suggesting?”
He held her gaze. “That we find a minister to marry us before we tell your family.”
All of the excitement drained from her face. “You mean a clandestine marriage?”
He nodded. “Aye.”
“No,” she said firmly. “I'll not sneak off as if I'm ashamed of this marriage. I'll be proud to be your wife. My cousin will perhaps be disappointed, but with my brother's marriage—”
“What?”
She smiled. “I was just as surprised as you. It's the most amazing thing. I received a missive from Dunoon before the evening meal. It seems Jamie is to marry Caitrina Lam-ont.”
The Enforcer and the daughter of the Lamont of Ascog— a MacGregor ally? There had to be a mistake. “You're sure the woman is Caitrina Lamont?”
She nodded. “Do you know her?”
He stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Aye.”
“I hear she is very beautiful.”
Patrick looked at her sharply, having heard the odd note in her voice. He studied her expression. She was doing her best to seem uninterested, but he could feel her hanging on every nuance of his response. He grinned. Lizzie was jealous. “She's not my type.”
“What type is that, beautiful?”
He chuckled and dropped a kiss on her pursed lips. “Nay, spoiled and sharp-tongued. If this is true, your brother will have his hands full with that one.” If he didn't despise the man, he would almost pity him.
She smiled but looked a bit shamefaced. “I should feel sorry for the poor girl. I'm sure she's not had an easy time of it these past few months.” At his questioning look, she continued. “Apparently, the news my brother received all those weeks ago that drove him from here so quickly had to do with Caitrina Lamont. I don't have all the details, but from what I've been able to piece together from Jamie's missive and Colin and Robert's conversation tonight, the Lamont of Ascog and his sons were killed trying to protect the MacGregors.”
