John gaped at her. “You wantmeto give your sister away?”
“I’m sure Dair would approve, if that’s what you’re concerned about.”
“Aye, but what about your father—or your sister, for that matter?”
“Gillian doesn’t share Papa’s view of Sassen—um, the English. She’s as meek as a mouse. Besides, Papa isn’t here to complain, now is he? I’m sure he’d see the sense in sending you as Gilly’s escort. You’re Dair’s captain, John. You have a strong sword arm, and you’re canny, charming, and cultured. You’ll fit in with Sir Douglas’s friends, the kind of educated, titled folk he knows.” She shook her head. “I dearly love every one of the MacLeod clansmen that came with Gillian, but I cannot imagine any one of them in Edinburgh society at a wedding. They’re used to handfastings and ceilidhs. They’re brave lads, and there’s none I’d rather have standingbehindGillian, protecting her from trouble. But she’s shy, John, awkward. She needs someone—different—besideher.” She bit her lip and brushed her hand over her belly. “I could go myself, but . . .”
John swallowed hard. “It will take ten days of hard travel.”
“Aye, I know. She was to arrive weeks before the wedding to have time to prepare. She’ll get there with just a day or so to spare now, but get there she will. I know you’ll make certain of that.”
“There’s no way to say no, is there?”
She gave him a bright, sweet smile. “Not unless you have a very good reason.”
He considered.I kissed your sisterhovered on his lips.I dream of kissing her again. . . But he saw the hope in Fia’s eyes, the trust.
He clenched his fists at his sides. “When do we leave?”
“Tomorrow. Early,” Fia said.
She struggled to rise from the chair, awkward under the weight of the child, and he took her hand, tucked it under his arm, and escorted her toward the door.
“I’d prefer not to leave you, Fia. We’ll ride hard. I’ll be back in a fortnight,” he said, concerned about her.
“Nonsense. I’ll have Angus and Moire. You’re escorting a bride to her wedding, not leading an invading army, John,” she said. She put her hand over his. “Gillian’s more—delicate—than any of my other sisters.”
He would rather be leading an army or going to war. He had faced battle and skirmish before, knew the rules of that game, but this one, with Gillian, was more dangerous. He’d be responsible for her safety and comfort, be in her company day after day, remembering how she felt in his arms.
And at the end of it all, he’d have to give her away to another man and let her go.
It would be torture.
He opened the door and led Fia across the hall. Gillian had taken the children out of the room and left the MacLeods to their pacing. Fia spoke to her kinsmen, told them the plan. They looked blandly at John, the kind of careful, dubious look he’d grown used to from Scots, even after four years here. Not rude, but not entirely friendly—just a reminder that he was an outsider,English, and that made them suspicious.
He recalled a time, nearly seven years past, when he’d faced other proud warriors in battle, men commonly called heathens there, just as the English called Highlanders heathens here. Those warriors had been every bit as proud and fierce as Highlanders, and equally loyal, brave, and steeped in their own traditions. John touched the leather pouch he wore under his shirt. The memories of those men, that wild, untamed land, made Highlanders less intimidating to him now.
He met the eyes of the MacLeod warriors one by one as they left the hall to pack their gear and sharpen their weapons for the journey. They were devoted to their laird and by extension to his daughters. Perhaps the trip wouldn’t be as bad as he feared. In truth, he barely knew Gillian MacLeod. She was shy, nearly silent. She wouldn’t expect conversation. And he’d be busy, arranging lodging, seeing to her comfort, planning the fastest route south. There’d be no time for teasing or flirting.
He’d only have to touch her once, just long enough to place her hand into her husband’s.
And then? He’d be in Edinburgh, and there were any number of diversions that would help him wipe the memory of Gillian MacLeod from his mind for good.
