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“I will marry her, of course.”

Gillian did look up then. She’d feared it would come to this. And while her heart thumped painfully in her chest at the thought of marrying this tall, strapping man rather than her betrothed, she knew there could be only one answer.

“Nay, my lord.”

His eyes narrowed as he looked from her to her father.

“’Tis not necessary. As you know, we but shared a kiss—”

“More than a kiss,” he countered, “which was witnessed by half the castle’s inhabitants. I would say it is a concern.”

“Concern?” Her father didn’t move, but she could tell by his stance he wanted to throttle Graeme. It would be a miracle if he didn’t charge the clan chief again. “You call ruining my daughter’s reputation a ‘concern’?”

“Her reputation would not be at issue had fewer people witnessed the incident,” Sara cut in. “Why is everyone here? Did you also receive a message?” Sara’s last comment was addressed to Gillian’s parents.

Gillian’s mother, who’d stood by her father’s side saying nothing, as usual, finally spoke up. “We did. A young girl said to come quickly, that Gillian was in trouble.”

Sara was already nodding her head. “The same message we received. But why would she do that?”

Without intending to, Gillian shifted her gaze to Graeme. He did not appear at all pleased. “No matter how it happened. We are here, and the situation must be resolved,” said Sara.

Gillian knew that tone. And something told her she’d not like what was coming next.

“My lord,” Sara addressed Gillian’s father. “Although it is deeply regrettable, it seems your daughter has been wronged by one of our guests, which makes this as much my problem as yours. Luckily”—Sara looked at Graeme—“I know Graeme de Sowlis to be a man of integrity and honor. And he has offered to do the honorable thing and marry your daughter. So it seems our May Day celebration will include a wedding.”

Everyone spoke at once.

Her father protested as only a man poised to lose everything could. Geoffrey tried to console him, and Graeme shouted over both of them, insisting there was nothing else that could be done. Only Allie remained silent.

Gillian let the men argue and caught Sara’s eyes over the fray. Her friend winked, and well she should—Sara thought she was doing her a favor. But she didn’t know everything. She didn’t know why Gillian had to marry Covington. As overlord to the man who’d attempted to ruin her father, he would be the only one who could truly ensure Lyndwood remained in the family.

“That’s enough,” she yelled.

They all stopped and looked at her. Gillian had never before raised her voice to her father, but she had to put an end to this. Immediately.

“Thank you,” she said to Graeme, trying not to remember the feelings he stirred in her. Trying to extinguish the small spark of hope in her heart. “For doing the honorable thing. But I cannot accept your proposal. I am betrothed to—”

“Nay,” Sara stopped her. “You are not betrothed yet.”

“But she will be,” her father said, the desperation in his voice evident.

“Nay, she will not,” Gillian’s mother said, breaking her silence again in a most unexpected manner.

“Mother?”

“You know as well as I do that everyone will be talking about this by the time we return to the castle.”

“Which means,” Sara finished, “Gillian will be ruined.”

“Nay,” her father protested. “The earl will understand. He—”

“Will not have her. And you know it as well as anyone here, Lyndwood.”

“But this is not his first marriage,” Gillian tried to reason. “Mayhap you would be right, if he’d not been wed before. But he’s a widower. Surely—”

“’Twas not a chaste kiss, daughter,” her mother insisted. “Too many witnessed it.” Desperate to be heard, her voice carried through the garden as Gillian had never heard it before. What was her mother doing? She knew what was at stake, and still she took their side. Had she gone mad? Or did she know exactly what she was doing?

This could not be happening to her. Nay, it could not.