Liam hadsavedher life, his selfless, noble act proving himself more worthy than Darragh and all the others. How could she not have recognized such honor in him earlier?
“Father, don’t send Liam away.”
Now it was Ronan who appeared stunned, no, wholly astonished as he sat back in his chair and slapped one knee, then leaned forward to stare at her earnestly.
“Did I hear you correctly? Liam…not Darragh, who seemed earlier to have impressed you?”
Deirdre shook her head, which felt clearer with each passing moment as her heart began to race with anticipation to see Liam again.
To look into his eyes and he, into hers, and to tell him herself that she didn’t want him to leave Glenmalure…at least not without her.
“I can hardly believe it,” Ronan murmured, still studying her as if half expecting her to suddenly change her mind. “Is it possible that my strong-willed daughter has fallen in love?”
Deirdre slowly drew in her breath to hear those last three words that hadn’t even fully taken shape in her mind and heart—but aye, she nodded, it was true. Dare she hope that Liam’s feelings were deeper than just care and concern for her…and he was falling in love with her, too?
“Fetch him for me, Father, please…no, I will go find him myself?—”
“You will do no such thing,” Ronan interrupted firmly, pushing her gently back down upon the pillow after Deirdre had impatiently sought to rise. “Stay in bed and I will bring him to you.”
“Aye, but don’t say anything, I want to be the one to tell him?—”
“I understand. Ah, God, who would have thought?” Chuckling again, Ronan rose and with a last admonishing look at Deirdre, he strode from the room while she felt as if her racing heart might burst from her chest.
She had never felt so…so giddy and nervous and so unlike herself—aye, but she had never fallen in love before! Someclansmen had tried to gain her attention with bold glances and none-too-subtle overtures, but she had ignored them and certainly hadn’t kissed any of them.
Only Liam had kissed her, Deirdre’s hand flying up to press her trembling fingers to her lips, she was growing so flustered.
Where was he? Why was it taking so long for her father to find him? Ah, God, no, had he simply presumed after her near-drowning that Ronan would end the contest and send him and Darragh home? Was Liam already on his way back to Imaal?
That wretched thought made Deirdre throw aside the blankets that felt smothering to her now, only to hear a door creak that made her gasp and look up as Liam entered her bedchamber.
Not slowly, either, but purposefully as if he had some sense of what she intended to say to him, his gaze darkened in the candlelight as he sat down where Ronan had been only moments before.
“Your father said you wanted to speak to me.”
“Aye, Liam, I do…but I don’t know where to start. You and I have been at such cross-purposes today until…until…” Deirdre faltered, Liam staring at her so intently that her heartbeat thundered in her ears.
Why couldn’t she blurt out what she felt as intensely now just to look at him and to have him sitting next to the bed with his hand reaching for hers? She started when his fingers, so strong and warm, interlocked with her own and he leaned closer, Deirdre suddenly finding it hard to breathe, her thoughts spinning.
So this was falling in love! She couldn’t speak, she could hardly catch her breath, her senses reeling as still he stared at her as if waiting expectantly…
“S-stay here with me, Liam,” she stammered when he squeezed her hand and leaned closer as if he intended to kiss her.
Deirdre’s face aflame and her gaze fixed upon the masculine beauty of his face, his mouth…
“I’m not going anywhere without you, woman. So you’ve chosen me?”
She bobbed her head, so flustered now by his nearness and the anticipation of his kiss that she leaned toward him, too…only for him to sigh and squeeze her hand again.
“Then it is done, we will marry this very day. I will speak to your father and tell him it’s of no concern of mine that mayhap you’re with child—ah, God, just tell me that you didn’t love the man?—”
“With child?” Wholly stunned, Deirdre felt as if her outburst echoed in the room even as she stared at Liam with mounting confusion and anger, too, while he held fast to her hand.
“Aye, it occurred to me that must surely be the reason why your father wishes to marry you off so swiftly?—”
“Occurred to you?” Deirdre had shrieked this time and tried to yank away her hand, though still Liam held her fast.
“You don’t have to feel embarrassed. It doesn’t matter to me if you carry another man’s child. I love you, Deirdre, and want to marry you?—”
