Disentangling their hands, she gripped his cheeks in her palms and glared at the man. She loved the man more than anything, but he infuriated her at times. “Would you stop fretting over what you lack and focus on what is right in front of you.”
He frowned in confusion.
“Me, you foolish arse. You have me. For Christ’s sake, I love you.” She scowled. “I do not give a twig whether your coffers are bare or overflowing. As long as you love me, then I am the most prosperous woman on earth.”
No sooner had the words left her lips, he seized her mouth with a deep, demanding kiss that curled her toes and left her breathless. No one, absolutely no one in existence, could rile her passion and stir her heart like the man holding her in his arms as if she were his salvation.
He released her mouth, brushing his nose over hers. “You hold my heart, Mairi. You have since the moment I met you. I will love you until I depart this earth, and even then, I shall love you in the hereafter.”
Smiling, she slipped her hands into his. “Your hands are not bare, Aaron. You have me and I shall do everything in my power to stand beside you as you work to right the wrongs of your father. Together, we can do this. But, you must learn to lean on your clan for aid just as I’ve leaned on mine.” She bit her lip. “Please, do not be wroth with me for interfering, but I’ve spoken to my brother and cousin. Both have agreed to set up a trade alliance with the MacRaes. That is, if you’re willing.”
He grinned at her. “Why should that anger me? I cannot believe that you would go to such lengths for me and my clan. Especially after the way I treated you.” A laugh tumbled out of him. “Nay, ’tis not difficult to believe in the least. ’Tis your kind nature and loving heart. Of course, you would try to help us any way you could.” Leaning away from her, he reached inside his mantle. “I have something for you.”
His cheeks bloomed bright crimson and he ducked his head with a sheepish grin. Grasping her hand, he placed a necklace in her palm.
Enchanted, she touched the carved, wooden heart strung from a delicate chain of gold. She stroked over the intricate etching he’d crafted in the wooden piece of jewelry.
He shrugged off his embarrassment. “’Tis not a fine jewel like you deserve, but the chain belonged to my mother. I added the heart later. For you.”
“’Tis beautiful, Aaron. More precious than any jewel I’ve ever seen.” She smiled her pleasure. “Please, help me put it on.”
Nodding, his grin returned. He rose to stand behind her while she brushed her hair aside for him to loop the chain around her neck. Shifting to face her, he helped her to rise from the bench. As he held her hands, his searing gaze captured her.
“Will you marry me, Mairi MacGregor?”
Her heart swelled, brimming over with love for the man in front of her. Everything about Aaron MacRae had captivated her from the start, since their fateful encounter in her herb garden the year before. Even the foul storms they’d weathered in their long acquaintance had proven they belonged together. As long as they had each other, they could face anything together.
Twining her arms around his neck, she beamed her delight. “Naught would please me more, Aaron MacRae.”
With a broad grin, he pressed his mouth to hers in a chaste kiss. He murmured against her lips. “Forever, my lass.”
Staring into his earnest gaze, she reaffirmed the vow. “Forever, my love.”
The End
About the Author
Melissa Limoges lives along the Gulf Coast with a bossy orange tabby named Mr. Tibbs. Property appraiser by day, romance writer by night, she enjoys anything coffee-related, traveling, and reading a good book in between.
You can find Melissa on her Facebook page at facebook.com/MelissaLimogesAuthor or her website at www.mlimoges.com.
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