Page 102 of What a Highlander’s Got to Do

“And what about him?”

“Him? He’ll be fine. He’s a viscount. He has women falling all over him.” Even as she said it, a bitterness cloaked her mouth.

“I canna believe you just said that. Do you see the way he looks at you?”

“Well, of course I do. He lusts after me,” she said matter-of-factly.

“It’s a sight more than that, I think.”

“Balderdash.”

“Isobel, the man is head over heels. What if you break his heart?”

The thought gave her pause. She would not like to hurt Nick. He was so dear to her. But, “He knows how I feel. He’s always known I have no intention of marrying. I’ve told him many times.”

“Men can hear things and still not believe them, you know. It happens every day.”

“I’ve been verra clear with him.”

Catriona snorted. “I’ve been clear with men before,” she muttered.

“Nick is different.” He was. He was . . . perfect.

“What about your mother?”

Isobel barked a laugh. “What about her?”

“She seems so . . .”

“What?”

“Pleased. So pleased that you are happily betrothed. What will she say when you tell her it was all a lie?”

A lie? Isobel frowned. She didn’t think that was a fair accounting of it. “Mama will understand.”

“Will your father? When you break it off, he will likely blame Nick.”

Isobel swallowed hard. She hadn’t thought of that. “I’ll make it clear it is my decision.”

“You admitted you two have . . .” Catriona waved her hand illustratively to avoid having to say the words.

“Aye?” What was her point?

“Well . . .”

“Just say it.”

“You’ll be ruined.”

“Ruined? Bah! You know I’ve never cared a whit for nonsense like that. Why should I?”

“One day you may want to marry. One day you may care.”

“I canna imagine why.” She was certain she didn’t want to belong to a man. Not to anyone. “I am no’ a property to be bartered.”

Catriona frowned. “I doona think of Anne as my father’s property. And he doesna see her like that.”

“Anne and your father are different. They love each other.”