“First of all, please allow me to apologize for the confusion. It was I who invited Lady Keira to the castle. I was eager for her to experience the beauty of this place and its history, as well as take part in the cèilidh.”
The Duke’s expression grew even sterner. “You have acted very recklessly, without my daughter’s well-being in mind. You have gone so far as to compromise her reputation by bringing her here without our knowledge. Her honor is now at stake.”
Raphael hated the look of desperation in Keira’s eyes, and how these people could consider someone like her a disgrace. But no matter how it had come to this, her father was right about one thing—Raphael was responsible for Keira’s ruination. And he couldn’t let that happen. Not for spending time with him, for God’s sake. Not for wanting to explore her own needs.
After a moment of silence, Raphael replied, not tearing his gaze off Keira. “Aye,” he started, choosing his words carefully. “Lady Keira’s reputation is of the utmost importance. I take full responsibility for any harm that may have been caused to her. However, I want ye to ken that me intentions are sincere. Lady Keira is… an extraordinary woman, and I would, in fact, consider it an honor to marry her.”
The drawing room was filled with stunned silence as Raphael’s unexpected declaration hung in the air. Raphael could see the look of shock on Keira’s face, but he didn’t acknowledge it. His eyes turned to her father.
He and her mother were shocked, too. Speechless, even. The older man blinked and exchanged a concerned look with his wife, who nodded discreetly to him and turned to look at Keira with a sad smile.
Elspeth had made an almost comical expression, her eyes wide and mouth open, before composing herself. She was smiling now.
Keira’s father was the first one to break the silence. He didn’t need much time to deliberate the matter. “If you are truly committed to our daughter and willing to honor her reputation, then this may indeed solve the matter.”
His voice held a threat that wasn’t lost on Raphael. However, it seemed that everyone, apart from him and Keira, breathed a collective sigh of relief, a sense of hope and optimism replacing the initial shock. Yet, Raphael had no idea what Keira would say to all this, as she was still silent, her eyes boring into his this entire time.
“I ken this must come as quite a surprise to everyone here,” Raphael continued, trying to keep control of the situation. “Why doesnae me maither send for some tea while Keira and I exchange a few private words regardin’ this.”
The Duke nodded, seemingly glad that the situation had rectified itself in an unexpected but welcome manner. Raphael realized that this man cared very little about his daughter’s happiness or whom she would marry. All he cared about was the fact that Keira followed a certain path set out by the ton.
“That won’t be needed, My Laird, as I have no intention of marrying you,” Keira stated calmly, piercing right through Raphael with her gaze.
Their parents went through another round of shock and disbelief, and her mother spoke to her softly, interrupting her father, who looked like he wanted to punch something—orsomeone.
“I understand that this might not be what you had hoped for, Keira, but I’m afraid that you have not much of a choice on the matter after putting yourself in such a compromising position,” the Duchess said in a voice that prevented almost any sort of protest. Almost.
“Don’t act like I had a choice before, Mother,” Keira retorted.
This time, her father didn’t hold back.
“No lady has had the liberties you did, Keira, and look where they brought you! Bringing shame upon your family!” he accused.
Raphael clenched and unclenched his fists, trying to calm himself. He didn’t like the way they talked to Keira. “Now, if ye’ll excuse us, we’ll go for that private word.”
He walked over to Keira and took her by the hand. She allowed him to lead her out of the drawing room and into his study, where he closed the door behind them.
As soon as he locked gazes with her, he knew that a thunderstorm was just around the corner.
20
In the tense atmosphere of Raphael’s study, Keira found herself in an emotional impasse. She had not yet found the words to articulate the complexity of her feelings, her desires, and the path ahead.
They had never even discussed marriage, and now his proposal… Of one thing she was certain, she wouldn’t allow a man to marry her out of pity.
Keira watched as Raphael paced the room, almost as if he was unable to stand still even for a single moment. She knew that feeling well. She struggled with the enormity of the decision that had been set in motion.
The silence in the room was palpable, heavy with unspoken words and emotions. They exchanged glances, and in his eyes, she could see the uncertainty that she was feeling. A decision of such magnitude should have been made willingly and withoutexternal pressure. In this case, neither of these two conditions had been met.
“What were you thinking, Raphael?” she finally asked when she realized that this silence could go on forever.
He turned to her, his brows furrowed with deep thought. “I was thinking about yer reputation, Keira,” he explained.
“That is not your concern,” she reminded him, refusing to allow him to sacrifice his life just to save her reputation.
“Ye have made it me concern the moment ye came here,” he argued. “Ye just didnae state it in those exact words.”
“You shouldn’t have offered to marry me when you don’t mean it. It will only make matters worse.” She shook her head incredulously at him.
