Page 64 of The Highland Heir

“It may be,” she said while looking away inwhat she hoped was a flirtatious way.

“And where is your escort this evening?” heasked as his gaze darted around the hall.

“Kieran was unable to escort me this time. Myfather sent one of his other warriors.”

She didn’t think she imagined Arran’s smilegrew wider with this news.

They chatted as they ate, paying littleattention to anyone else in the hall. Not until the laird calledfor a group of musicians to begin playing.

“Would you care to go for a walk on thebattlements? It is a fair night,” Arran suggested.

“I would like that.”

He helped her to her feet and escorted herthrough the hall to the steep steps that would take them to the topof the castle.

He was right, the night was mild. Just theslightest chill to the air. Not like at Girnagoe, where the sea airwhipped harshly at anyone silly enough to brave the battlements.But while the cool, damp breeze wasn’t uncomfortable, she did findshe already missed the salty smell of home.

Here at Balnagown, it seemed so quiet.Awkwardly so.

“I am very glad you have come to visit sosoon,” Arran said, pulling her attention from her wanderingthoughts.

“Actually, it is not a visit. I have come tostay.”

This seemed to surprise him, but if his smilewas any indication, it was a pleasant surprise.

The silence returned, and she wondered whathe was thinking, for it was clear he was pondering something ofgreat import. How strange it was not to know someone well enough todiscern their thoughts without them having to share them aloud.

But, of course, that was how it was witheveryone besides Kieran.

“I know you have only just returned and thatwe did not have much time together during your last visit, but I dowonder . . .”

Surely, he wasn’t planning to ask her tomarry him now. So soon. Too soon. But then this was what she hadwanted, so what did the timing matter? Still, it was certainly toosoon. That couldn’t be what he was wondering.

“If one wanted to speak to one’s fatherregarding his daughter’s hand, how would one find him?”

Ach. He was going to ask now.

She forced herself to remain calm and staywhere she was. There would be no good end to running down thestairs only to fall and break her neck.

She looked up in order to settle her chaoticthoughts and spotted the stars glittering down at her. Instantly,she was caught in the memory of that night with Kieran. The nightthey had promised to never forget.

Closing her eyes, she locked the memory awayso she might answer this man’s question. The man before her who wasinterested in being her husband. Whose heart was available.

She found she appreciated the way Arranspoke, as if he were speaking of someone else besides them. Shedecided to continue in the same manner to allow a much-neededdistance from the conversation.

“When one’s father knows he’ll not beavailable, it is generally recommended that one’s father allowone’s aunt the duty of the giving of his daughter’s hand inhis stead.”

“I see. That is even more fortunate if one isa particular favorite of one’s aunt and was quite nervous aboutmeeting one’s father.”

They broke into laughter. She was enjoyingthe twisted conversation despite the topic. But then his gazeturned serious as he looked into her eyes.

“Do you agree that before one speaks toanyone else about a woman’s hand, he should ask her?”

“Aye, I do think that would be the way onewould ensure the woman feels she has some control in her ownfate.”

He smiled and leaned closer. Taking her hand,he bent over it to place a soft kiss across her knuckles.

“Would you marry me, Ella?” he askedquietly.