“If I do,” she said with a choked chuckle, “I will make yer life a living hell.”
Of that he had no doubt. In fact, he looked forward to her chaos all year round until they were old and gray.
“What the bloody hell is going on here?” an outraged voice spat, jolting Darragh out of his reverie rather rudely.
He was about to order his guards to throw out the intruder for interrupting his moment with his new betrothed when he remembered.
Laird Alan.
Of course, he was angry. Darragh certainly would have been angry if someone had hijacked his engagement party and made a grand love confession to his betrothed. Even the most sentimental man would feel the slight to his ego.
He had to find a way to appease the man before the matter escalated.
“This is the height of disrespect. Ye dishonor me with this display. I would never have expected the lady to take off with another man at the drop of a hat.”
Too late. The man was incensed.
Darragh had to think of something quickly.
“Me good man,” Jenson drawled, stepping forward with that charming smile of his. “There is nay need for all this. I think this all works in yer favor. Imagine how horrible it would have been if she jilted ye at the altar, or if she spent the rest of her life pining for him. It would be torture, I promise ye. At least this way, ye dodged a bullet.”
“I am verra sorry, Laird Alan,” Talia said sincerely. “It was never me plan to ditch ye in such a manner.”
“But that was what happened, was it nae?” Laird Alan pointed out in a weary tone. No one liked rejection, especially a public one. “I think I deserve compensation.”
“And I will make sure ye get it,” Jenson assured him, coming to drape an arm over his shoulder and guide him out of the hall. “What do ye say we go somewhere private and discuss this compensation?”
Darragh watched them leave, heaving a sigh of relief when his brother turned to wink at him. One thing he trusted his brotherto do was to use his charm to get whatever he wanted. It would not be long before he had Alan Mackenzie dancing to his tune.
“Well, that was uneventful. Perhaps I should be grateful it didnae end in a brawl. I daenae have me medical bag at hand to treat injuries tonight. Besides, this day has worn me out,” Talia said with a smile, wrapping her arms around his waist.
“Then ye should rest, me love. We have all the time to reminisce about this moment. I am sorry for everything I have put yer through. Forcing ye to come here, then forcing ye to interview suitors, even though I kent that this thing between us would make it harder.”
“I am just glad ye stopped being bloody stubborn. Now that I have ye to meself, I am happy.”
“So am I,” he replied, a wide smile on his face.
He would wager he looked stupid, but he did not care. Talia just made him so happy that nothing else mattered.
“Ahem,” someone cleared their throat beside them, forcing them to break apart.
It was Mr. McCain, who, despite the turn of events, had managed to make himself inconspicuous. But then that was the way of solicitors.
“I think the matter of the will has been settled nicely. I will start dispensing the money, but ye have to be legally married to receive the funds. I advise the two of ye to marry as soon as possible.”
With that cryptic advice, he left, not bothering to ask if they agreed.
But Darragh was resolved to obtain a special license as soon as possible. He would marry Talia tonight if it were possible, but he needed the license first.
“That is odd,” she muttered beside him, still staring at the door through which the solicitor had left.
“What is odd?”
“Mr. McCain… he didnae question ye like he questioned Laird Alan this morning.”
“Perhaps he trusted that nay Scotsman willing to embarrass himself in front of so many people would lie about wanting to marry the woman he loved.”
“Good thing he was right.”
