He saw the silver track of a tear streak down her face. “Is that all? You’lltryto win? You’ll not fight or die for me, leave with me, do anything to have me?”
“He agreed to abide by the rules, Gilly. So did you,” Callum said.
“Callum, may I have a moment with Gilly?” he asked.
Callum frowned, but backed away.
John reached through the bars for Gillian. “Against all the odds, we’re here, together, sweetheart. You were brave enough to kiss me, to fight outlaws, brave enough to choose me. The best choices are never the easy ones. I won’t stop fighting for you, lass, but I won’t steal you.” He cupped her face in his palms. “Your father will only accept me if I win fairly. He has his honor, too. He needs to see for himself that I can win you, hold you, that I’d do anything, dare anything for you, honorably. Iwillwin, Gilly. I won’t lose you. Will you trust me?”
“It’s not you I don’t trust,” she said.
“Your father loves you, sweeting. He wants the best for you. Let me prove to him that’s me.”
She scanned his face. “Aye.”
John looked at Callum, and the Scot nodded. He came forward to take Gillian’s arm. “Come on, Gilly. We’ll go hunting, fetch a few coneys before dawn. Your man needs a few hours of sleep, and then—” He met John’s eyes. “Go east, up the sunward side of Benbrankie and follow the burn.” He clasped John’s hand. “For what it’s worth, and for Gilly’s sake, I hope ye win. He turned away and went up the stairs, leaving them alone. Gillian threw herself against the bars, into John’s arms, and he caught her mouth against his, kissed her. “Go, lass,” he said, his voice husky. She pulled back, turned to go.
“I love you,” she said and followed Callum up the steps.
