“Not a deep cut.”
“You did not stand up. You were choking as if you could not breathe.”
“Pretense. So I could fight when it was time.”
He nodded. “I know. And yet, I saw it, too. I saw your death.”
“I am fine.”
“I will not wait any longer, Mairi. Be my wife. For as long as God gives us, be with me.”
Exactly the words she’d wanted to hear. “Yes,” she said. “Yes, yes, yes.”
He met her mouth to mouth, heart to heart. He was careful with her wound, but she wasn’t. She clutched her to him and opened herself to all the love she’d denied for so long. She loved him. No matter what came next, she would see it through with him until the end.
And the moment her heart opened, he poured all his love in.
They kissed with all that love swirling between them. They held onto one another as if each was the most precious gift ever. And when she looked into his eyes, she knew she had found what she’d been searching for.
“Will you marry me?” he asked, his voice low.
“Yes. I’ve said—”
“Tonight. In the Scottish way. If your wound doesn’t pain you?”
No wound could hurt her so much that she would deny him. She grinned. “I will marry you in every way.”
A promise, but it was as good as a vow before a priest. And so they looked at each other, suspended in time as they absorbed what they’d both just said. One second or one century, she had no idea how much time passed until the countess knocked on the door.
They came back to themselves with a jolt, then turned as one when she entered. She was slow as she opened the door, and her expression was hopeful.
“We are wed now,” they said together. They were not in Scotland where a simple statement of marriage would make it legal, but in this room, it would serve. They would have a ceremony at home with their family all around. But for now, this was enough.
The countess clapped her hands together in delight. “Well, it’s about time. And poor Mr. Weissman will have to look elsewhere.”
Mairi frowned, suspicion slipping into her thoughts. “Was there ever a Mr. Weissman? Or did you make him up?”
“Of course, there are several Mr. Weissmans,” the lady said with mock outrage. “And I’m sure I could have found one of them to offer for you.” She winked at them. “But I am glad that I am no longer put to the effort.” Then she waved at Connall. “Now come out of there. We can announce your engagement—”
“Wedding.”
She waved the technicality aside. “At tonight’s ball.”
Connall shook his head. “You will have to do it without me.”
“Yes, yes, I know. But first, you must tell the others.”
Iseabail and Sadie abruptly pushed their way inside. “We heard. We think it’s about time. And we love you both!”
Kisses were shared all around. Everyone asked about her wound and her health. Everyone clapped Connall on the back and told him he had won the greatest of all prizes in her. He did not deny it, and everyone made merry until Mairi yawned.
It was well after midnight now, and suddenly all were much too exhausted to stay awake. They gave her a kiss on the cheek and wished her happy. Not a word was said about Connall retiring to his room, and he made no indication that he would leave. It was all very scandalous from the English point of view, but the Scots knew a deed done even when it had yet to occur.
When at last Connall shut the door behind them, he turned to Mairi. “Love, I can wait—”
“Come to me, please,” she said. “I will not sleep one wink without you beside me.”
His smile was rueful. “If I cannot hold you tonight, I will have nightmares for sure. Mairi, I was so afraid.”
