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It was slow.

Passionate.

Loving.

He’d not said the words either, but she could feel Kieran’s love in the way his mouth moved over hers. His words implied it. His actions this night were easy to interpret. And though her heart soared at the prospect of not parting from this man who kissed her so affectionately, a part of her held back.

She could not marry again, not even him. And Maisie doubted Kieran would accept such an arrangement. Nor did she wish it, for she was not fool enough not to realize eventually their lovemaking would produce a babe. One whose parents should be wed.

Tomorrow Maisie would think more on it. For now, she gave herself over to Kieran’s kisses and the promise of sleeping in his arms once again.

23

Chapter

“Come with us.”

Kieran watched Maisie dress, knowing he should do the same. But holding her, making love to her as they woke, being with her as she prepared for the day . . . he was loath to leave.

“When I was gone so recently? I cannae.”

Once the idea took hold, he could not abandon it. “All was well when you returned, was it not?”

“Aye, but—”

“Come with me. I may likely meet my aunt this day, and would have you by my side.”

Maisie licked her lips, a tempting sight if he’d ever seen one. If his brother and the others were not already waiting for him below, Kieran would pull her back into this bed at this very moment.

Instead, he reluctantly began to dress.

“You have your brother with you,” she said. And back and forth they went until, finally, Kieran pulled her toward him.

He silenced her pleas with a kiss. A slow, lingering, full-of-promise kiss. When he finished, he looked into her eyes. This woman that would be his wife.

She may deny it. Think she did not will it. But as he’d watched her sleep last eve, the problem of their future became less and less of one. In fact, it was a simple matter.

He’d not be parted from her for one simple reason.

“I am in love with you, Maisie.”

She froze in his arms. Opened her mouth to speak, but he silenced her with his finger. “Say nothing until you are ready to accept me fully. But I tell you this. After yesterday, and last eve, there is nothing you could say, or do, that would convince me to leave you. I’ve never felt such terror in my life as I did when MacBrannigan held you against your will. I knew then, and perhaps much sooner, but worried you may not want a man such as me.”

“A man such as you? Surely, you jest.”

“My past—”

“Means naught to me. As I said, I am the daughter of a farmer. Not some noblewoman who cares for titles and the like. I wish only for food on my table. And freedom.”

“Which you think you’d be forced to give away if we were to marry. But you must know already in your heart, Maisie, I am not that sort of man. I would have you do as you wish. My only aim is to please you.”

“I do not think you are like him in any way.”

“Then marry me.”

She said naught. It was too soon.

“Then it will be my duty to convince you. In the meantime, I would have the woman I love with me this day.”