He whispered, with his lips on my fingers, “I ken, I feel it as well, mo leannan.”
He curled his head in my lap and wrapped his arms around my hips. He hugged me, tight and intense. I stroked along the edge of his face, his beard, soothing, feeling him slowly growsteady and calm. After a while he rose and took my fingers again, lifting them to his lips. “I love ye, mo leannan,” he said. “Ye hae become part o’ my heart. I canna bear tae be away.”
“I feel the same.” I tucked a stray curl behind his ear. “In every way I feel like you saved my life. Thank you.”
He chuckled then. “Ye might be grateful now, but wait until ye find out how hard twill be tae regain yer kingdom.”
I teased, “I’m still furious with you about that, you’ve ruined my life.”
He laughed, “First ye tell me I saved ye, now I hae ruined ye!”
“You’ve done both, you’ve done all the things, I’m so mad.” I twirled a lock of his hair in my fingers and then smoothed it back.
He said, “Max is always irritated with me. I cause vexation wherever I go. Tis my way, mo leannan. Ye are certain ye want me tae go on ruinin’ ye and savin’ ye?”
“Yes.”
He kissed my knuckles, then raised up, and kissed me on the lips. It was a lovely pressing, and when he broke away he helped me to my feet and drew me close. A tight embrace.
God, I loved this man.
How did this happen?
How did I come to this moment — so full of love for him?
I said, “I love you. What do we do now? I don’t want to be without you. Can you stay?”
He looked down on me and shook his head. “Nae, I canna stay. Max needs me.”
“Then I will go with you.”
“Ye would go with me — even if there will be danger and deprivation and an uncertain future without all the comfort ye are used tae?”
“As long as we are together, then yes?—”
My eyes drew to the window.
The ringof trees were black against the deep indigo sky. The treetops were moving, the wind had picked up.
Torin felt me stiffen, he followed my eyes to the glass. Then we both went for a closer look.
There was a storm out near the main road.
“Max!” I called, soft at first, then louder.
Torin ran for the hallway. “Max, m’laird, somebody’s comin’!”
There was no answer.
We both ran down the hallway looking quickly in the other rooms. Empty.
We got to the front door. I pulled the curtain aside and peeked out. There was no one on the porch. We yanked the door open, rushed out, and Torin looked out over the lawn. He cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled, “Max!”
A security guard came from around the corner. “What’s going on?”
I said, “Was anyone here, did you... see anyone come or go?”
He scratched his head. “Yeah, your friend had his horse, he said he was going for a walk, to get some air. He went that way.” He pointed in the direction of the main road. “Likely the storm will send him back.”
