Well, that was unexpected. He wasn’t sure how to respond considering the reason they were currently traveling was because she was so desperate to get away from him.
“That is very kind of you, but you need not go to any trouble. I know you are anxious to return to your family because of me.”
Be damned if she didn’t like him being direct. He’d been a boor yesterday, but he’d apologized and tried to make amends.
“It is no trouble, and I believe my parents would insist upon it considering the lengths you have taken to return me to my home when I needed to.”
“And was it not my fault youneeded toin the first place? Let us speak plainly, Lady Marion.”
“That is my wish as well,” she said.
“I was upset yesterday morn at the discovery of my sister and my steward. My reason was because of the deceit I perceived in their relationship. The one or the other should have come to me immediately as soon as it became apparent something was developing between them. But they chose to sneak around and keep it from me. Anyone at all could have discovered them and then we would havehad to deal with the scandal of it.”
“Do you so thoroughly oppose the match?”
“Nay, I do not. But the point is they are not yet married, and their discovery could have been ruinous for her.”
“And does not the same sentiment apply to you and me?”
Why was he not surprised she would bring that up? “If you recall, Lady Marion, I had vowed not to let anything happen between us while courting.”
She gasped. “Are you saying ’tis my own doing that we have shared intimacy?”
Christ, why did she always twist his words? “I am not saying that. I am answering your question in that the same sentiment should apply to you and me as well, but I cannot seem to keep my hands to myself or to stop imagining what it feels like to kiss you like I do right now.”
He couldn’t take it when her gaze dropped to his mouth. She had him in knots and if he didn’t finish his train of thought, there would be no need to return her to her parents; he’d need to find a priest instead.
Alexander cleared his throat. “I was very upset when you came downstairs and discovered us and when I realized you would be able to figure out what was going on.”
“Aye, plus Jean told me what was happening. Do you know she spoke of love?”
He sat back. He’d been so vexed with them both that he had not thought to ask either if intentions had been discussed.
“Considering how upset Jean was, I believe that to be the case and will need to return to Inverary to address them.”
And that was it. He would need to leave her with her parents with no knowledge of when he would see her again.
“That does not explain why you took all your frustrations out on me and spoke to me like I would take that information and use it against you. That is much more difficult to forgive.”
“Aye, you are correct. You have given me no reason to mistrustyou, and again I am sorry for my reaction. It was not my intention to hurt you. I am unaccustomed to neither consulting nor commiserating with anyone when it comes to such matters. I do now know I could rely on you.”
He purposely left the last part open-ended since he did not want to drop her on her father’s doorstep and never see her again. It took every ounce of strength for him to refrain from reaching across the carriage and pulling her to him.
“Then I accept your reasoning and your apology. Perhaps we should start over, my lord,” she said.
It was an interesting suggestion. At least that way they would not need to be estranged to one another and there would be no formal good-bye.
“And the courtship? What is your opinion in that regard?”
“I believe you must do what should have been done in the first place.”
“And what is that?”
“You should have spoken to my father and asked his permission.”
He nodded and smiled. He would do just that.
Chapter Sixteen
