“Thank you for saying that, but right now I really just need to know the truth. What did you find? What happened to Mr. Standish?”
“He was shot through the head in the exact same way that yer faither was. Whoever it is that killed yer father, is the same person who killed Mr. Standish. Perhaps Mr. Standish knew more than he told us, but somehow, I doubt it, as he came across tae me as an honest man, an honorable man. I cannae imagine him holding back anything that would have helped us tae find your faither's killer, if he knew anything at all. That being said it would appear that the murderer disagreed.”
“Why would he kill Mr. Standish if he knew nothing? It does not make any sense, unless the killer was afraid Mr. Standish could identify him in some way.”
“My guess is that the murderer thought Mr. Standish knew more than he actually did. It is that knowledge, or that belief in his knowledge, that led to his death. After all, the papers were hidden in yer faither’s desk in his office, and who would ken yer faither’s office better than Standish.”
“No one.”
“Precisely.”
Cleo sighed and shook her head. “How can anyone be so evil as to kill another person? I do not understand.”
“It is just that, lass, evil or madness. Either way, nae sane man would do such a thing.”
Cleo’s eyes filled with tears once more. “What if he comes after you next? I could not bear it if he took you from me as well.”
“He will nae come after me. He does nae ken that I ken anything. How could he? I am more concerned for ye and yer safety. I dinnae feel right about leaving the three of ye ladies tae fend for yerselves, without someone tae watch over the house. Let me take ye home, and we can make arrangements for yer protection.”
“I suppose you are right, but I am not happy about it. Can you not stay with us yourself?”
“And damage your reputation?”
“I do not care one fig for my reputation at this point.”
“I do. I will stand watch outside, but not inside, unless there is nae other recourse tae be had.”
“Nonsense,” Cleo shook her head firmly. “You will be inside where it is safe and warm, or you will not be guarding us at all.” Cleo put her foot down in stubborn protest.
“Marry me,” Arthur commanded more than asked.
“What?”
“Marry me, today. As yer husband, I will have every right to protect ye in any way I see fit. Marry me.”
“I will not marry you just for the sake of my own protection! Have you gone mad with the rest of the world?”
“Mad with love for ye perhaps, but otherwise, I am as sane as I ever was. I dinnae ask ye tae marry me just tae protect ye. I ask ye tae marry me because I love ye, lass. I love ye more than life itself and I cannae stand the thought o’ life without ye. Marry me, lass, and make me the happiest man in the world.”
* * *
Cleo stared at Arthur as if he had grown two heads. Of all the ways in which she could have been proposed to, this one had never once crossed her mind. She understood the need for protection, and she did not doubt that Arthur loved her, but she did not want him to feel that he had to wed her out of some sense of obligation to keep her safe.
“Arthur, I…”
“Do ye love me?” Arthur asked, meeting her eyes.
“Yes.”
“Then it is simple. Marry me and love me forever, just as I will love ye until long after our lives upon this earth are o’er.”
“But the banns?”
“Come with me tae Gretna Green. We will elope.”
“You have gone mad!” Cleo looked up into his eyes, not knowing what to do or what to say.
“Do ye want tae marry me?”
