“And who is left to help me? I canna simply leave. Da would be within his rights to send men after me and haul me back. And where would I go? A woman alone?”
“Ye could do as Catherine did and go to family.”
“Da kens that trick now. If he didna discover me missing in time to send men after me and find me on the road, they’d search in Inverness and St. Andrews and anywhere else a Rose might live across the breadth of Scotland. And all the while, he would think he did it to protect me. To save me from some horrible fate—death, or life as a fallen woman.”
“Does he no’ ken ye better than that? Ye would be prepared.”
“Aye, I would. But what does it matter? As capable asye are, look at what happened to ye. Do ye think I would have survived something similar?”
Cameron had the grace to look dismayed. “Ye are right, lass. Ye must plan and bide yer time. But I ken ye better than ye think. Ye will find a way to control yer own fate. I dinna doubt it.”
If only her father believed in her as much as this man did. She couldn’t help but hope some part of Cameron wanted her as much as he seemed to respect her. She could be happy with a man who treated her as he did. Still, for her father ever to see him as more than an invalid, Cameron needed to regain his strength. And as soon as he did, duty would call him away, and she might never see him again.
Hours later,when Mary returned to Cameron’s chamber after dinner, she found him seated by the hearth, reading by firelight. A tray with the remains of his supper sat on the nearby table.
He set the book aside when she came in.
“Ye ate, then,” she commented, smiling. “Are ye well?”
“Well enough. Ye must be tired. Ye got home only a few hours ago.”
“I am tired, but I couldna go to my bed without checking on ye.”
Cameron stood and folded her in his arms. “Ach, Mary, my love. I spent my days and nights the last week looking forward to seeing ye, and to doing this.” He pulled her closer.
Mary didn’t know what to say to that, but she likedhearing it, and the way she felt wrapped in his powerful arms, safe and protected. “Tomorrow, we’ll walk outside.”
“I’ll look forward to it.” Cameron lifted her chin with one finger and met her gaze. “Ye are well?”
Mary’s gaze settled on his mouth. His lips were so close. Would he kiss her? “Aye, I’m fine. Da had another headache at dinner and didna stay long, much to everyone’s relief, I think. He’s tossing out orders right and left, confusing everyone when he contradicts himself.” She bit her tongue to stop the nervous flow of words.
“Anxious bridegroom?” The corner of Cameron’s mouth tilted up.
Mary wanted to lick it. “Perhaps. Or just Da being Da. Though tonight he was worse than usual. I hope he’ll be better tomorrow.” She took a breath and lifted her gaze to his cheek, his hair, anywhere but his mouth or his eyes.
“Aye. Ye dinna need two of us to look after.”
“I’d leave him to the healer, never doubt it,” she replied with a desperate chuckle.
Cameron’s regard and hands lingered on her longer than they should. But so did hers on him. She couldn’t help thinking about leaving Rose with him, especially now her father planned to marry the Grant lass.
But the clan would fail without her.
She stepped out of his arms and went to the door before either one of them could say or do more. She might want him, and knew he wanted her, but she needed more. She needed a future with him, and so far, he’d said nothing to give her hope he had considered a future with her. She said, “Good night, Cameron,” more to the door than to him, then slipped out without looking back and went to the healer’s chamber.
The woman answered on her first knock. “Ach, Mary. Is aught amiss?”
Mary pursed her lips. “I’m sorry to bother ye, but Da complained of a headache at dinner. I think he’s probably tired from the trip, but I’ll feel better if ye have a look at him.”
“I’ll go now,” the healer agreed.
Mary nodded and headed for her chamber, though her feet wanted to carry her back to Cameron’s.
Chapter 6
An hour later, the healer arrived at Mary’s door. “I came to tell ye I took yer Da some willow bark tea. He seemed well enough. If ye are still concerned, perhaps ye should go speak with him.”
“I’ll do that, and thank ye.”
