Page 142 of Claimed Highland Brides

“Aye.”

“I gather he had a change o’ heart?”

Aileen inclined her head in a so-so gesture.

Barclay shook his head. “It is amazing that ye consent to speak to any prospects at all. Is that why the twins are as yet unmarried?”

“I dinnae ken. I havenae spoken wi’ ‘em aboot it. They seem quite happy to be unmarried for the moment.”

“And ye? Are ye happy?”

Aileen looked away. “We were not speaking o’ me.”

“And why not?”

Aileen looked away, swallowing hard. “Please, dinnae mock me.” She took a step away from him, and he reached out and clasped her arm tightly, stopping her.

“I am not.”

“Who would want to marry me?” Her chest heaving, she tried to pull her arm away from him, but he tightened his hold.

“Wha’ does tha’ mean? Why wouldnae any man be proud to call ye his bride?”

Aileen snorted. “Perhaps when all my sisters are wed, and the greed for our gold outweighs the prospects of an ugly wife, will I be chosen.”

Barclay frowned. “Who told ye this? Who made ye believe that ye’re ugly?”

Aileen threw back her head and screamed in hysterical laughter before subsiding and regarding Barclay solemnly. “I have a looking glass. I ken how I look. When guests came to visit, they would declaim the bonniness of Murdo’s daughters…all but me.”

“I cannot believe that anyone would have the audacity to lay under Murdo’s roof and call one of his daughters ugly.”

“Not directly. O’ course not. It was more in what wasnae said than what was. It was standing in the corner, waiting to be noticed at balls while all my sisters were asked to dance. Even Ùna garners more attention than I. Dinnae mistake me. I dinnae blame them. My sisters are truly lovely, and I am not too blind to see it. It was just my luck that I didnae get even a fraction o’ what they have.”

Barclay stared at her and sighed. “If people look only at the surface when they look at ye, that is their loss for ye are the kindest, gentlest, and loving friend anyone could ask for. Ye are quick-witted, amusing, and such good company. Anyone would be fortunate indeed to call ye their wife.”

Aileen looked away. “Ye’re very kind,” she said quietly. “I mun’ go to bed. Ye should do the same. The answers to yer questions can wait until morning.”

She took a step towards the door.

“Wait.” His voice was quiet, yet he sounded excited. She turned, facing him, eyebrow raised.

“What is it?”

He huffed softly. “Here I have been agonizing on what to do, and the answer has been right here, staring us in th’ face.”

Her brow furrowed. “Whatever d’ye mean?”

“Marriage. If I am to get married, I will be eligible for my land, right away.”

“Aye?”

He huffed again, straightening up from the balustrade and striding toward her. Taking her hand in his, he stared into her eyes. “Marry me, dear Eileen.”

She blanched, jerking violently and pulling her hand out of his. “Why would ye say such a thing to me?”

“Forgive me. I didnae mean to startle ye.” Very slowly, he reached out for her hand again as if she were a spooked horse, and he was trying to calm her down. He smiled slowly. “What is wrong? Is the idea of marriage to me so abhorrent?”

She blinked at him as if she might gauge his intentions if she stared for long enough. “I dinnae understand.”