Because Alex MacDonald’s face, full of laughter, flooded her vision. Alex was wrong for her in so many ways, and yet the devil tempted her to choose the sinfully charming man.
“Thank ye for your kind offer,” she said. “Please give me a day to consider.”
“Of course.”
D’Arcy kissed her hand again. It was a romantic gesture that should have made her sigh. But, as handsome and gallant as D’Arcy was, she felt no spark.
It was a grave disappointment. She did not, however, need to ask him if he would honor his vows—a man like D’Arcy would always be honorable.
* * *
Alex winked at Catherine and left her to find Glynis. On the steps of the keep, he met D’Arcy.
“I’ve just been speaking with your lovely friend Glynis.” D’Arcy gave Alex a smile like a cat that has gotten its paw into the cream. “I fear you must make the rest of the journey without her. She is going to leave with me.”
“What?”
“She asked for a day to consider my proposal,” D’Arcy said, “but I believe she will say yes.”
“Ye asked Glynis to be your wife?” Alex felt as if he were falling down a deep well with no rope to hold on to.
“Of course not,” D’Arcy said. “I already have a wife.”
“Ye have a wife?”
“As you should, my friend,” D’Arcy said, putting his hand on Alex’s shoulder. “My dear Isabelle was with child when I left, and so we agreed that she must remain in France for the time being. Frankly, I am not at all certain your wild country would suit her.”
“If ye have a wife already,” Alex said, “then just what did ye plan to do with Glynis?”
“Make her my mistress, of course,” he said. “If Isabelle is able to join me in Scotland later, then I will make other arrangements for Glynis. I would not embarrass my wife by keeping another woman in our home while she was there.”
“Ye don’t seriously believe Glynis would agree to be your mistress, do ye?” Alex asked.
“I know you are concerned for Glynis’s welfare,” D’Arcy said. “So I want to assure you that if there are children from our liaison, I will provide for them.”
“Ye misunderstand,” Alex said, wanting to shake him for his stupidity. “I am certain Glynis believes ye are offering her marriage.”
“Marriage?” D’Arcy’s eyebrows shot halfway up his forehead. “Why, even if I were not already married, that would be absurd.”
Alex’s head felt in danger of exploding. “And why would it be absurd?”
“I could never marry that sort of woman.”
Alex grabbed D’Arcy by the front of his tunic. “Just what do ye mean by ‘that sort of woman’?”
“The sort who has affairs with you, Alexander.”
“Glynis is no that sort.” Alex drove his fist into D’Arcy’s jaw, which hurt his hand like the devil, but was very satisfying nonetheless.
“It was an honest mistake,” D’Arcy said, rubbing his jaw. “I can tell you’ve had her from the way the two of you look at each other. So no matter what you say, Glynis is no innocent.”
“We have a saying here: Many a time a man's mouth broke his nose,” Alex said. “If ye don’t want your nose broken, I suggest ye remember that Glynis is a chieftain’s daughter and a woman deserving of your respect.”
“I was not disrespectful,” D’Arcy said, looking offended. “I simply made her an offer.”
“I would have thought the White Knight was too pure to look at another woman once ye had a wife.”
“No man is that pure.” D’Arcy paused to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth with a white handkerchief. “I fail to understand why you are upset. There’s no harm in my keeping a mistress, especially when my wife is not here.”
