“I didn’t plan on tel ing either the father or the grandfa
ther, at least not for a while.”
“I understand ye no’ tel in’ yer father. He’s liable to cal the lad out, but why would ye no’ be tel in’ Laird MacLeod?”
Ali rol ed her eyes. “Thanks for that comforting thought, Auntie. As for Rory, I refuse to let him marry me just because I’m having his baby. And as soon as he finds out, that’s exactly what he’l expect. Not that there’s much chance he’l find out anytime soon.” She sat up and hugged her knees to her chest. “He must know I’m here, Aunt Fiona. I’m worried he’s having second thoughts about us, that he regrets using the clan’s last wish, espe cial y since it didn’t work.” There was something else, something she herself had a difficult time thinking about. How would Rory feel when he found out he was in love with his late wife’s sister?
Her aunt smoothed Ali’s hair over her shoulder. “That’s 320
nonsense, and ye ken it as wel as I do. From what ye’ve told me, the lad loves ye, and I ken ye love him. Which leaves me to wonder why ye’d no’ want him to marry ye even if it was on account of the bairn.”
Ali released a frustrated breath. “Auntie, I’ve told you before. I’l not have Rory MacLeod marry me out of a sense of duty. I want him to marry me because he loves me, because he doesn’t want to live without me. And I won’t have him bul y me into it, which is exactly what he’d do if he found out I was pregnant.”
Fiona chuckled and patted her knee. “Wel , poppet, I’d say we have our work cut out fer us.”
Ali blinked back tears at the sight of her father and aunt waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. The look of love and the pride in their eyes made her heart swel . In the short time she’d been with them, she’d come to love them both dearly.
“There is no’ a woman in Scotland who can hold a candle to ye, my pet.” Her father beamed as she reached the bottom step. He looped Ali’s arm through his, and kissed the top of her head. Ali reached up to kiss his grizzled cheek. “Thank you, and thank you for the gorgeous gown.” She lifted the crimson velvet skirt. “I feel like a princess. You spoil me.” He had. The wardrobe in Ali’s room was overstuffed with gowns of every color in sumptuous fabrics—silks, satins, and vel
vets. “But this . . . this is too much.” She touched the heavy, jewel-encrusted necklace with a large ruby at its center. Her aunt wiped a tear from her eyes. “Nonsense. Yer the image of yer mother, poppet. She would’ve been as proud of ye this night as we are.”
Ali swiped the moisture from her cheek, and squeezed
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her aunt’s hand. “Thank you,” she murmured past the knot in her throat. Her father groaned. “Look at the two of ye, greetin’
away when we’ve guests awaitin’ us.”
Ali’s eyes widened as he led her into the grand hal . The massive room overflowed with richly dressed men and women. Gilded torches graced the oak-paneled wal s. Thick forest-green velvet draperies hung at the windows. The tables groaned with food and a smal group of musi
cians stood by the massive stone fireplace. Someone had gone to a great deal of effort to make this evening special, and Ali imagined that’s why she’d been unable to pin her father down for their much-needed chat. But she couldn’t put it off any longer. She had to see Rory, and if he wouldn’t come to her, she’d swal ow her pride and go to him.
“Here she is,” her father announced to a group of men congregated in the center of the room. “Come, my pet. I have some gentlemen who are verra anxious to meet ye.”
Good God, her aunt hadn’t been exaggerating. Fiona leaned toward her. “See, what did I tel ye?”
Before Ali could comment, her father whisked her away from her aunt to introduce her to the men. Although later that evening he did deign to introduce her to more than just the eligible bachelors, of which there seemed to be an in ordinate number.
Ali sipped her water and smiled politely, but after an
other hour passed, her smile felt as though it was frozen in place. Each face blurred into the other. Their inane chatter faded to an annoying buzz that left her light-headed. Ali tugged on her father’s sleeve. He lowered his ear to her, and she said, “I need to talk to you. It’s important.” Without further ado, Ali dragged her father unceremoniously to an unoccupied corner of the 322
overheated room, as far from the blazing hearth as she could manage.
“Aileanna, ’tis rude to leave our guests in such a manner. I ken ye may no’ do things the same way in yer time, my pet, but—”
“I’m sorry, but I’ve been trying to speak to you al day and I can’t wait any longer.” She crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her gaze on him. “Did you send my letters to Rory? And I expect you to tel me the truth.”
“Nay.” He crossed his arms over his broad chest, a defi
ant set to his chin. “And I wil na’ do it, even if ye beg me. The lad is no’ fer ye. There are some fine gentlemen over there, just waitin’ fer the opportunity to court ye. If ye would give them half a chance, my pet, I’m certain —”
Hands on her hips, she glared at him. “No, and if you won’t send my letters, I’l go to Dunvegan on my own.”
“Ye’l no’ set foot from Armadale, Aileanna MacDon
