“Come on!” Still crouching, Fiona moved with catlike grace across the deck, the sextant poised in her hand.
Lorelei wasn’t quite that adept, but the crew had their backs to her and all she needed to do was keep her footing. She raised her makeshift club above her head and ran toward Pierre as Fiona slashed at Jean.
Their efforts weren’t quite enough to take either man down, but they were enough for Alasdair and Gavin to regain the upper hand. The remaining crew member widened his eyes as Lorelei and Fiona turned on him and without hesitation, leaped overboard, his arms moving like windmills as he swam away.
Lorelei stared after the man, then down on the deck where Pierre and Jean now lay unconscious. Her knees began to wobble. The boat seemed to be rocking really hard, making her dizzy. Suddenly weak, she reached out to grab hold of the rail and she fell to the deck as the world turned gray around her.
…
Alasdair didn’t think he’d ever seen a braver woman as he looked down at Lorelei, lying limp in his arms as he forced himself to keep Kelso at a trot. Seeing her come charging at the first mate, flagstaff raised over her head much like a Highland warrior with a claymore, had nearly had his heart leap out of his chest. And she’d given the man a very good crack, too. He’d have a sore head for some days, thanks to Lorelei.
“Ye did well, lass,” he whispered, although she didn’t stir.
Gavin had gone on ahead with Fiona riding pillion behind him to notify the authorities. Hopefully, by the time they got home, Taylor, along with his cronies—whom they’d left tied securely belowdecks—would be under arrest. But that wasn’t what concerned him now.
Alasdair reined in once they were safely away from danger and brushed Lorelei’s hair back from her pale face. How could he ever have entertained the thought of marrying Melissa? How could he have considered letting Lorelei go? The not-remedied argument over the five hundred hectares was still essential, as well as the other deeds, but not at the cost of losing Lorelei. Oakley might be—wouldbe—furious with him for breaking the betrothal, but that was something the MacGregors were going to have to deal with. It would mean losing alliances—strategic ones—but what alliance was more important than spending the rest of your life with the woman you loved?
He leaned down and gently kissed her forehead. “I want ye to marry me, lass,” he whispered, “and I willna takenaefor an answer.”
Chapter Thirty
Had Alasdair just proposed or was she dreaming? And had he justkissedher? Lorelei was cuddled in a cocoon that rocked gently. She felt safe and warm and really didn’t want to leave, but seeping awareness was returning to her brain. Slowly, she opened her eyes.
To find Alasdair’s face only inches from hers. His arms were around her, sheltering her while her head rested against his shoulder and her legs dangled over his thigh. It was his horse that was causing the cradle-like sensation. She blinked as he smiled.
“Did ye hear me, lass?”
So shehadn’tbeen dreaming? Did he really say what she thought she’d heard? Or was her mind befuddled? “I…am not sure.”
He grinned. “Then let me repeat it. I said I wanted to marry ye.”
Her mind cleared rapidly. “Not Lady Melissa?”
“Nae. I have been an eejit for sure.”
“But…” Dear Lord, she didn’t want to bring the subject up, but she had to. “Do you not need the duke’s support in Parliament?”
“Nae so much that I would risk losing ye. I must have been out of my mind to even consider marrying his daughter.”
“But…” She should probably be quiet, but she wanted Alasdair to have no regrets. “But the land dispute is important to your clan.”
“Aye, it is, but ye are more important to me.”
Shereallyshould shut her mouth. “Your family will be angry with you—and me—if the lands are lost.”
“We will figure something out. And my family will nae be angry that I chose to put my woman first,” Alasdair replied. “After all, Ian and Rory did the same.”
“But—”
“Lass. Did I nae make myself clear? I want to marry ye because I love ye.” For a fleeting moment he frowned. “Do ye nae want to marry me?”
“Of course I do! I love you too!” She nearly unseated herself by throwing her arms around his neck. Luckily he caught her, using the opportunity to lean into another kiss, this one deliberately slow and lingering. She returned it with fervor as they rode, an increasingly achy feeling in her breasts making her want to twist and press up against him. Since that was impossible without both of them sliding off, she enthusiastically joined in the battle of their tongues, exploring each other’s mouths. This was sheer heaven and once they got home…
A snort and a high prance from Kelso brought them back to reality, causing Alasdair to break the kiss. They were in the middle of the street in front of Berkley Square where a number of strollers had stopped to gawk at them. Lorelei felt her face warm. She had no idea how long they’d been kissing, since she’d been content for it to go on forever. Then, as several people started making a rather quick dash to carriages waiting along the streets, another thought struck her. She turned stricken eyes on Alasdair.
“They are going to spread what they have just seen faster than you can get me home. We will be theton’slatest scandal.”
“I doona care. Doona fash. Ye will nae be ruined.”
