* * *
Blake leaned down, drawing in her intoxicating scent. She belonged this close to him. He closed his eyes. Every instinct in him yearned to pull her closer still.
They both watched Lord Price leave the room once again. Daisy looked at him. “Is it your turn to leave?”
She was referring to this afternoon and he deserved the barb. “Not this time.”
“Lord Price had promised to walk me about the room. Why don’t you continue where he left off?”
He started moving, his hip brushing hers. “I owe ye an apology fer storming off today. It’s not ye but my past that is the problem.”
She looked up at him, her large blue eyes filled not with irritation, but curiosity and sympathy. That gaze stole the air from his lungs. “Tell me about it,” she softly whispered, the sound was so low, he almost didn’t hear her.
He grimaced. He didn’t want to share, the hurt still raw but she’d been so honest with him. “I was engaged to a woman who was full of life and passion.”
Pain flickered across her face and he realized she was jealous. He stopped, brought his other hand coming to her waist. “Wait for the end. What I first thought was zeal turned out to be selfish passion and irresponsible actions. I found her in a compromising position with my cousin.”
She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth to cover the sound. “Oh, Blake.”
“It’s all right. The worst part was my father had tried to warn me and he looked triumphant when he’d learned what had happened. Like he’d wanted me to fail.”
Her brows drew together. “Your father. You’ve mentioned him before.”
Looking behind him to make sure everyone was occupied, he snapped the door to the veranda open and led her outside. He needed a more private venue for the rest of this conversation. “He was a hard man. Strict, rigid. I went out of my way in my youth to defy him. He never forgave me. At least that’s what I think. He never explained. But he did tell me on several occasions how I’d never succeed as a laird. I’d marry the wrong woman, make the wrong business decisions, let our people down.”
Daisy reached for his cheek. Shadows were falling about them, the near dark hiding them from the rest of the party. “He failed you. Know that. My father failed me too. So did my cousin. Until last night, I never wanted to let someone close enough to hurt me again. Rose says that I fall in and out of love, but the truth is, I’ve never actually fallen in love. I stop my feelings before I have the chance.”
He stared down at her. Those words made the tight knot in his chest relax. “You weren’t in love with Price?”
“Goodness no. I think I thought he might be different from the other men I’d met because I met him before everything happened. I believed I might be able to love him because I’d already opened myself to him before my life turned upside down.” She shook her head. “Even if he weren’t a married ninny, I was wrong.”
He grimaced. They were both trying to heal from their pasts. “Do ye think ye might be able to love at some point in the future?”
She moved closer. “I hope so. I’ve made great strides. Last night, for example, we kissed. I’ve never allowed a man such liberties. But I trust you and—”
He let out a growl from deep in his throat. “Did ye just say that I was yer first kiss?”
She nodded, a hesitant, jerky move but his limbs tingled with energy.
She’d never allowed another man to touch him besides him? Every male instinct within him roared in satisfaction. Without thinking, he bent down and kissed her, a firm steady press of his lips to hers.
If at first she hesitated, she soon sunk into the touch, her lips softening under his, their breath mingling. He kissed Daisy again and then again until he slanted her mouth open and brushed his tongue to hers. Blake heard her sweet moan as blood rushed from his head straight to his manhood.
He deepened the touch, their bodies melding together. He held her cheeks in his hands, as he kissed her more fully, wanting to both claim and console her.
She wrapped her hands about his waist and he wished her skirts weren’t in the way. He longed to draw her even closer.
Someone cleared his throat from just behind Blake. He swore softly to himself as he slowly lifted his head. Looking over his right shoulder, he saw Colin standing just behind him with his arms crossed.
“We need tae talk,” Colin said, his voice low and deep.
Blake didn’t know if Daisy was the best choice for his wife. Didn’t know if she’d escape her past or if he was repeating his, but he knew he couldn’t let her go now. “There’s no need. I’d like to formally request Daisy’s hand in marriage.”
Chapter Nine
The air rushed from Daisy’s lungs. Marriage? “Blake,” her voice came out a bit choked. She felt trapped and when she felt that way, her skin started to itch. She tried to back away but one of his hands had slid down her back and held her firm.
He looked down at her, his gaze narrowing and she realized her eyes must look like tea saucers in her fear. Her breath was coming out in short gasps and she tried to slow her chest down.
“Hush, love,” he said low and smooth. “No one will hurt you here. Not Colin and certainly not me.”
She dug her hands into his waist. “It’s all too fast.”
He nodded. “I’ll make ye a deal. We can be engaged fer as long as you like. Patience isn’t my best virtue, but I’ll wait fer
