“It’s just that ye seem different from the last time I saw ye. Both happier and somehow more subdued.” One of his eyebrows arched.
Fiona had only known Keiran a short time. He’d travelled to their home with her potential suitor just a month ago. He was handsome as sin too, in his own way. But he was a rake, and besides, loving one man was all Fiona could take.
Thinking of Colin caused her to inwardly sigh. He seemed to care about her too. He was certainly jealous of other men but he held himself away from her and it didn’t seem she could bridge the chasm between them.
Maybe he didn’t feel the same? But why was he always touching her then? “I need yer help,” Fiona started. Then it all came pouring out. How Colin touched her, scared off other suitors, seemed angry about Keiran coming. About his father and Colin’s admittance that he never expected to find love.
Keiran listened, leaning back in his chair, his legs splayed out in front of him. But his eyes were intent upon Fiona. “Fer ye, it’s always been him, hasn’t it?” Keiran asked softly as she finished talking.
“Aye,” she whispered.
Keiran sat up in his chair then. “The way I see it, it’s one of two things. Either, he’s attracted to you, there’s no denying that, but he doesn’t love ye, lass.” His hand reached for hers as he delivered the words.
Wincing, she took a breath. “And the other.”
“His father’s convinced him that if he loves you, you must not be the right choice for a wife.”
It was as though a cold bucket of water had been dumped on her. Of course that is what his father had taught him. She closed her eyes then, tears burning the back of her lids. “How could I ever undo that?”
“I dunnae ken that ye can.” Keiran gave her hand a squeeze. “But I’ll help ye if ye want to try.”
“Aye, I’ll try.” But she honestly wasn’t certain that it would work at all. In fact, she was nearly positive that it wouldn’t.
“Well, I think our best plan is to use his plan against him.” Keiran gave a chuckle.
“How do ye mean?” Her brow knitted in confusion.
He laughed harder. “We make him jealous. It’ll work better on him than most. He’s already upset about me being here.”
Her hand shot to her hip. “I’m not kissin’ ye, Keiran McKenna.”
Both his eyebrows rose in amusement. “Many a woman has enjoyed my kiss.”
“Has Agnes?” she replied. Agnes was the cousin of her cousin, but somehow the girl felt like family. With her boundless enthusiasm and sweet disposition, Fiona couldn’t help but want to protect her.
To her complete amazement, Keiran blushed. “That hardly seems relevant.”
She clucked her tongue. “And here I spilled my darkest secrets to ye.”
He ran his fingers through his hair and then repeated the gesture. “Agnes is everything good in this world. After the war, what could I give her?”
“Everything,” she replied softly knowing in her heart that he was more than worthy. If only her own future were as clear to her. “You could give her everything and don’t you forget it, Keiran.”
He shrugged then, not looking at her. “Let’s solve yer problems first and then mine.” Clearing his throat, he whispered. “There is to be a hunt tomorrow. Slip away from the ladies, like yer meeting someone but make sure Colin sees ye do it. Based on everything ye’ve told me, he’ll follow. He’ll be jealous when he finds ye. Kiss him then but kiss him like he’s the last man in Scotland. Then tell him the truth. That ye love him, that it’s only him. I ken ye’re putting yerself out there but it’s the only way.”
She gave a humph but she understood. “He keeps saying the same. I need to talk more… Bah!”
He chuckled, giving her a light push on the arm. “He’s a lucky man. If he’s smart, he’ll see that.”
Keiran said his goodbyes, then headed off to speak with some of the other participants. Fiona made her way to her room. It had been a long day and tomorrow might just prove to be worse.
In the quiet of her room, she lay on her bed, picturing Colin next to her. What would it be like to be held close to him? The night in the barn had been better than any in her life.
It was those warm thoughts that finally allowed her to drift off to sleep.
Colin lay awake wondering why he’d been cursed. Because surely how he felt about Fiona couldn’t be anything else. She was the one woman who would not fade away; she demanded his attention and always would.
He thought about leaving her, moving to the Highlands. It made him ache more deeply than he imagined was possible. Then, he thought of her going with him. Just the two of them galloping through the heather. Laying by the loch and talking for hours as they had done as children.
Why was his father so sure that was wrong? Fiona was stronger than any woman he knew. Surely she could survive whatever ills might befall them.
He was going to lose her. Some other man, like Keiran McKenna, would swoop in and steal her heart.
Colin regretted his jealous fit today. He walked away from her when he should have been helping. Would she forgive him that? He was allowing his jealousy to ruin even their friendship. He couldn’t have that. Tomorrow he would talk to her. Surely there was a way to repair at least that.
It was well into the night before he finally fell asleep.
The next morning, he prepared for the hunt though his heart wasn’t in it. At the first opportunity, he’d seek out Fiona.
Crossing the dew-covered grass, he joined the group of men. Alastair glared at him, while Keiran gave him a wink. He dismissed Alastair. That man was a plague and Fiona well knew it. He wasn’t worried about Alastair. But Keiran, he was far too handsome for Colin’s liking. And so cocksure. Jealousy rose in his chest just thinking about the handsome laird.
He only halfheartedly tried to find the quail they were supposed to be hunting and instead kept his eyes on Keiran.
Mid-morning they stopped and joined the women who’d gathered on the hill to observe the hunt. He saw Keiran whisper in Fiona’s ear and then disappear down the path to the river that flanked the property.
Fiona, glancing both ways to make sure she wasn’t seen, followed.
A red haze clouded his eyes and he set off after them. That man would not lay a finger on her. He wouldn’t allow it.
Breaking into a run, he reached the riverbank and looked both ways trying to spot them through the tall grass that surrounded the water’s edge. A rustling to his right caught his attention and then the distinct gasp of a woman. He took two steps toward them and stopped.
Dropping to his knees, he hung his head. Fiona wasn’t tied to him. It wasn’t his right to barge in and interrupt if she wanted to be there. He was supposed to be helping her find a husband. If he interceded now, he’d made a decision to claim her for his own. She was either his alone or she belonged to another.
He didn’t know what to do.
Chapter 10
Fiona picked her way down toward the river. Keiran had likely already doubled back to give her and Colin some privacy.
The gurgling of the water caught her ears as she slipped a little on a muddy patch. Righting herself, she took a breath when a hand reached out to touch her shoulder.
Turning quickly, she couldn’t decide if she wanted to yell at Colin for being such an arse the day before or throw her arms around him and declare her love.
But it wasn’t Colin behind her. It was Alastair. His face had a dark glint about it, his lips twisted in an ugly grin. “Who are ye meetin’, lass?” His cold voice washed over her.
“Just getting a little air.” She tried to smile but couldn’t quite make her lips work.
“So yer not here to kiss some beau. Another ye’ve led to believe ye’ll marry.” He stepped closer and as he did his hand snaked around the top of her arm.
Fear settled in her stomach as she tried to pull away but her feet just slipped in the mud. Alastair kept her from falling but held her arm like a vice. “I
havenae led anyone to believe I’d marry—”
“Shut yer mouth,” he yelled pulling her close. “Ye made a fool of me yesterday. Ye made a fool of me the day before protecting that arse, Colin, when I was givin’ him what he deserved.”
“It was you!” she gasped. “Why would you do that?”
He began pulling her off the trail, near yanking her arm out of her its socket. “I thought I’d eliminate some of the competition. But, I dunnae want to marry ye anyway. All the same though, I’ll have my piece.” He spit and then dragged her against him.
She had only ever kissed Colin. Where his lips were warm, thrilling, magical, this touch left her sick and scared beyond anything she’d felt in her life. She gasped as he raised his mouth but before she could even scream, his lips descended again, grinding against hers as he pulled her to the ground.
Fiona had long considered herself strong and capable, but she was powerless in this moment. He ripped the bodice of her dress, she heard it give and as his hand wrestled between their bodies he gave her breast, still covered in her chemise, a painful squeeze.
She twisted her face away and cried out in agony and rage.
His hand grabbed her chin to pull her mouth back and tears formed in her eyes. She couldn’t stop him, he’d do whatever he wanted.
Fear like bile, clogged her throat and she uselessly tried to push him away.
And then, just like that, he was gone. Hurled off her body, she searched for what had caused her sudden change in fortune and her eyes locked onto Colin’s face. It was twisted in rage and honestly it was the sweetest sight of her life.
He spun Alastair around and planted his fist in the man’s face. Over and over, he hit Alastair, who was as powerless to stop the attack on his body as she’d been just moments before.
As Alastair dropped like a stone to the ground, Colin jumped on top of him, seeming ready to start the attack again. “Colin,” she cried out, lifting her arms toward him. Alistair had gotten what he deserved and she just wanted to leave this place.
Without another punch, he pushed off Alastair and was at her side, lifting her into his arms. Carrying her, he broke into a run toward the house. It was as though he knew exactly what she needed.
She buried her head in his shoulder, not caring about anything other than his warmth. She had no idea if anyone saw him carry her up the stairs, nor did she care. She simply couldn’t let him go.
She heard her door open with a bang as Colin carried her inside. “I should have killed him.” He finally broke the silence when the door closed behind them.
“No ye shouldnae.” She burrowed deeper into his neck. Hot tears finally leaking from her eyes. “Ye can’t just go around killing people and I’d die if they took ye away.”
“I’d die too if I had to be apart from ye,” he whispered then. Tilting her head back, she tried to look into his face to see if he meant the words but the tears blurred her vision.
As she made to blink them away, his lips captured hers in the most tender kiss of her life. He cradled her head in large hands as he softly pressed his lips to hers.
“Do ye mean that?” she whispered as he finally raised his head.
“Aye, I mean it.” There was a pause and then he kissed her forehead. “Wherever I go, yer coming with me, Fiona McDougal.”
Her door banged open again. Startled, Fiona looked toward it to see her father’s towering form standing in the doorway. “What in the bloody blue blazes is going on?” he roared.
Colin, not setting her down, began a rushed explanation of why they were alone in her room.
Her father didn’t say a word as he looked at them both. Then, glaring at Colin, he gritted out, “I’ve never really liked that boy. But why would he do such a thing now? He’s been courtin’ ye.”
Fiona looked at Colin, she knew her eyes were huge. What was she going to say to her father?
“It’s my fault.” Colin gently set her down and then stood to face her da. Colin was tall, towering over many men but her father was gigantic. Colin cleared his throat. “I don’t like him either, and this incident with Fiona proves why. But I didn’t want him courting her and so I kissed Fiona in front of him.”
Her father’s face turned a shade of purple as he pointed in Colin’s direction. “Out in the hall now.”
“Da,” she cried standing. “Don’t hurt him. I’m as much to blame as he is. I’ll do whatever ye want, just don’t—”
“Ye’ll be quiet, young lady.” Her father snapped. “I’ve given ye a lot of rope over the years. Apparently, all ye did with it was hang yerself.” His eyes slashed into her. Then he turned to Colin. “Out in the hall. I won’t tell ye again.”
Colin walked to the door, shoulders straight. Her father fell in behind him and then closed the door with a bang. Fiona jumped and then screamed as a loud crash immediately followed.
Colin hit the wall and gave a slight grunt as Haggis pushed him. He would not fight back.
“I trusted ye tae do what was best for her.” Haggis’s voice was a raging whisper.
Colin swallowed hard. “I ken.” It was time for the truth. “Though it was the right decision to get rid of Alastair. That man is a plague to women. But I was being selfish too.”
“What makes ye say that?” Haggis crossed his arms as he stood just inches away. His face was still set in rigid lines.
“I wanted Fiona fer myself.”
“Well, yer gonna git her son.” Haggis poked him in the shoulder. “Ye carried her into her room in front of half the assembled guests. Ye’ll marry her for it.”
He tried to keep his face expressionless but he could feel his eyes widening. It wasn’t like he hadn’t known but hearing the words made him swallow. “Marry?”
“That’s right,” Haggis bent his face down to Colin’s.
He wasn’t supposed to marry her. His father wanted him to make a strong match with a dependable woman. But he wouldn’t abandon her now and he couldn’t live without her. Whatever the consequences there was only one choice. “I’m leaving for the Highlands after I report back to my family.”
“She’ll go wit ye and neither myself or yer family will be there to watch ye, so I expect ye to take good care of her.”
He’d never let anything happen to Fiona. That much he was sure of. But being with her every day, how was he going to safe guard his heart? “You ken I will, Haggis.”
Haggis relaxed then. “Well, all right.” He slapped Colin on the back. “The wedding will happen as soon as we return.”
Coin fought down the panic rising. “I’ll need a little time to explain to my family. My father, he wanted me to make a match that was—”
“Fiona inherits an earldom. There is no better match for ye.” Haggis was leaning close again.
Colin looked away. “He wanted me to make a match without emotion. And what I feel fer Fiona…”
“I ken, son,” Haggis rumbled. “She feels it fer ye too. I’ve been hoping for a while that ye’d both figure it out. But ye’ve taken some real prodding.”
Colin nearly fell over. All this time, Fiona thought her father didn’t want her to make a love match. But her father had been scheming from the beginning. “Haggis, ye don’t mean to tell me that ye planned this whole thing?”
He chuckled. “How could I have done that? Yer both as unpredictable as the wind. But I thought ye might come around if another match was imminent and, let’s be honest, if it wasn’t Dumfries in that barn with her, who else was it?”
“She’s her father’s daughter.” He quirked an eyebrow. It became more apparent where Fiona got her desire to skirt rules and make plans.
The door wrenched open and Haggis, moving more quickly than Colin had seen in years, grabbed him by the collar. “Close the door, Fiona!”
The door snapped shut again. “Why did ye do that?” Colin asked wondering what Haggis was about.
“I’ll leave ye to ask Fiona to marry ye, but I’m tellin’ ye son. Ye better not say, ‘because yer
father said we had tae.’ She’ll never agree to that.” Haggis stopped clutching his collar and instead, patted it back into place. He was putting on a show for his daughter. Making Fiona think that Haggis was angry at him. He knew his daughter so well. “However ye ask, ye’d better make it good. And might I suggest, ye allude to the fact that I wouldn’t approve.”
Colin could barely nod his agreement as he stared at Haggis. All this time, he’d understood his daughter perfectly. “May I speak with her now?”
Haggis grimaced but gave a nod of approval. “Ye better make good on the marriage or I’ll find ye.”
Colin was absolutely certain that Haggis meant every word. And the man was right. Now was not the time to ask Fiona to marry him, he needed to court her. Woo her into accepting. With that in mind, he returned to Fiona’s room.
Because he’d made up his mind. It didn’t matter what Haggis wanted or his own father. He knew what he wanted and it was Fiona. He loved her. He couldn’t watch her go off with another man and so he’d find a way to marry her and keep her safe.
She sat at the vanity, her hands clasped together, drying mud falling to the floor. Never had she looked more delicate, less certain of herself.
Her green eyes were wide with fear and uncertainty. As soon as she saw him, she stood and rushed across the room. He opened his arms and wordlessly folded her into his embrace.
She curled into him. “Oh, Colin.” Her voice shook as her hands bunched up in his shirt.
“It’s all right now, love. Nothing’s going to happen tae ye.” He began stroking her hair. “I won’t let it.”
“I was more worried about you. Was my father terrible?” She looked at him, her normally creamy features pale with worry.
He stroked her cheek. “No, lass, he was fine. It’s ye that has to be taken care of.”
“What do ye mean?” She leaned back further and he couldn’t help it. He pressed his lips to hers in a kiss that spoke of what was in his heart.
“Ye’ve been too open to harm this trip. I dunnae like it at all.” His thumb continued to stroke her cheek. “No more schemes fer marriage. Fer now, just stick close. I’ll talk tae yer father about leaving the summit early.”
Heart of a Highlander_Scottish Historical Romance Page 8
