He watched her flapping thin coat and dirty blue dress dwindle in the distance for several long minutes and then went to tell the man in charge to build a cottage instead.
He lingered in the area for another hour or so, not wanting to pass her walking back while he was in the carriage. It was good he stayed because just as he had decided it was safe to leave since Helen must surely be back to the castle by now, the giant Duncan came at a dead run toward the keep, his long legs eating up the ground in huge gulps. Jack could not stop the young man before he flung himself through the doorway of the keep.
“Margaret! Mags!” Duncan roared.
Jack followed him and tried to catch one of his swinging arms.
“Careful, Duncan. Your voice might bring down more of the roof.”
Duncan spun and towered over Jack. His freckles stood in stark relief against his white skin. His fists clenched at his sides. He had a look of horror which put Jack in mind of the face of the only man he had ever killed in hand-to-hand combat.
“Where is she? I heard—someone said—the roof—”
“Mags is safe at the castle, Duncan. She’s fine.”
Duncan collapsed, sinking onto his knees in a puddle, burying his face in his hands.
“I coudnae . . . I couldnae . . . I would die . . .”
“She’s fine, I tell you, Duncan. Perfectly fine.”
Duncan raised his head. “Aye.” He got to his feet. Jack led him out of the keep, the giant staggering.
“I’m sure Mags will be glad to know you were concerned about her, but it wouldn’t do for her to see you in such a state.”
“Nae.” Duncan wiped his nose with the back of one of his enormous hands.
“So, when you’re calmer, come to Dunmore Castle and see her. This evening. I’ll let her know you’re coming, all right? To give her a little time to primp.”
“To primp?”
“You know, to arrange her hair, change her dress.” Although Mags might have no dry change of dress.
Duncan colored. “Oh, I am sure she would never do that on my account.”
Jack laughed. “One of my friends in London is Lord Dagenham, one of the most dedicated gamblers who has ever lived. If it were him right now talking to you, he would make a bet with you that after I tell Mags you are coming, there will be quite a bit of primping. But I’m not him, so I won’t bet you. Because it would be straight theft. I assure you Mags will spend a great deal of time improving her appearance before your arrival.”
“She’s always beautiful so she cannae improve her appearance.”
“Yes. You should tell her that.”
Duncan blushed an even deeper red. “I cannae say anything about how she looks.”
“Why is that?”
“I cannae ask for her. I cannae provide for her until my father dies and I take over his forge. And although I want Mags, I also dinnae want my father to die.”
“But surely you can say something nice to her without asking for her hand in marriage?”
“’Twould be forward.”
“Be a little forward, Duncan. Just a little.”
“What should I say to her, Jack Pike?”
Jack shook his head. “No, no, no. You must come up with your own compliment. But it should be easy, shouldn’t it? After all, she has the face of an angel.”
Duncan exhaled. “The face of an angel. Aye. Thank ye, Jack Pike.”
