Did she feel the same?
Yes, she did. She wanted everything he wanted and more.
“Aye, I do.”
Irvine leaned down and brushed his lips over hers, almost like a feather’s caress. “Then walk beside me, Bridget.”
21
Irvine made the trek to Bridget’s hut the next morning, the cold wind whipping at his coat. He had spent what remained of the rest of the day in the hut where it had all started with William and Malcolm. They made plans for when they returned back to the castle, and Irvine could scarcely believe that this was happening.
He was going to be laird. It was all happening quickly but not too quickly, given how it had all started. As much as he wanted to push back and state that he wasn’t ready, he was ready.
He wanted to lead the clan into their new future.
First, however, he needed to do something.
Knocking on the door, Irvine waited until Leathen had opened it. “I figured I would be seeing ye,” the older Scot stated, stepping aside. “Come in.”
Irvine stepped through the door and into the warmth. “I wilnae take up much of yer time,” he started, looking around.
“She’s not here,” Leathen chuckled. “She’s gone tae visit some of the tenants that were displaced by the fire. We were fortunate not tae lose all the huts.”
That they were. A few remained, including this one and the barn, which would have been a devastating loss to the farm. “I will send able-bodied men tae help rebuild.”
“Aye, that would be much appreciated,” Leathen stated, surprising Irvine. “But that’s not wot ye are here tae talk aboot, are ye?”
Irvine drew in a breath, finding his heart beating loudly in his ears. “I wish tae ask for Bridget’s hand in marriage.”
Leathen rubbed his chin. “Ye know, when Bridget was born, I knew immediately she was destined for something more than this life I can provide for her. Her mother, she would have wanted her daughter tae be happy in wotever she did, and I believe she’s happy with ye.”
“I like tae believe so mahself,” Irvine replied, clearing his throat. “I care for her. She will never want for anything, and at any time she wants tae come here, I will come with her. Yer tenants will be protected and cared for.”
“I have no doubt,” Leathen mused. “And I know she wishes tae be with ye, Irvine. I cannae think of anyone that I would rather have as mah new son.”
Irvine smiled, and the two men clasped forearms, solidifying their agreement. Irvine knew it meant more for Leathen to know that Bridget was going to be taken care of and loved than to give him a bride gift, but he still wanted to do something.
That something would be to send help to help rebuild the farm. It was the least he could do.
Now he had to find his prospective bride and propose marriage to her.
He found her at the loch, standing on the water’s edge with her arms wrapped around her waist.
“Wot are ye doing out here, lass?” he asked as he approached.
Bridget turned, her cheeks red from the wind. “I was just having a moment tae mahself.”
Irvine arched a brow. “Then should I leave so ye can continue?”
She shook her head. “Nay, I like yer company.”
He grinned. “’Tis a good thing then,” he started, reaching for her. She went happily into his arms, and Irvine breathed in her clean scent, grateful that neither of them had been injured in the skirmish. “I went tae go talk tae yer da,” he started out, resting his chin on the top of her head.
“Aye?” she asked. “Whatever for?”
“For yer hand in marriage.”
He heard her swift intake of breath before she was pulling back out of his embrace. “Irvine,” she breathed, searching his face, “are ye certain?”
