She decided to clarify the issue. ‘Are you saying that it would be a marriage where you would...allow me to be alone?’
‘No’ precisely,’ he answered. ‘You would live with me at Locharr and help me look after the people. I would expect you to be mistress of the household and take on those duties. But consummating our marriage could wait until later.’
Well, that was clear enough. There was no question that this was the strangest marriage proposal she’d ever received. And yet...it was something to consider. If he was being serious and would not expect a true marriage, it might be a possibility. Still, it was entirely too soon to accept.
‘I will think about it.’ Then she added, ‘Would you care for more tea?’ The moment she spoke, she realised what a foolish question it was. His cup was still full, barely touched.
Locharr shook his head. ‘In truth, I dinna care for tea. But I’ll have another sandwich.’
She offered him the plate, and he took a sandwich with buttered bread and minced ham. Regina poured herself another cup of tea and took a biscuit from the tray. She nibbled at it, and admitted, ‘I must say, I was not expecting this conversation. At least, not so soon. And not from someone who used to play such terrible tricks on me.’
‘I was an angel,’ he teased. ‘I dinna ken what you are talking about.’
From the mischief in his eyes, he knew exactly what she was talking about. ‘You tied my hair in knots. My maid spent most of the day trying to untangle it. You were a horrid boy.’ Whenever her family had visited the MacKinlochs, Lachlan had teased her mercilessly.
Locharr only smiled and ate. But as they dined in silence, she saw his demeanour beginning to shift. Instead of being hopeful at her consideration of the proposal, his mood dimmed. He eyed her as if he wasn’t certain what to think of her as a bride. Certainly, he didn’t have the hopeful anticipation of a bridegroom. Instead, there was a sense of regret, though she couldn’t understand why. If he didn’t want to marry her, then there was no reason to ask. Likely he didn’t mean to be rude, but he wasn’t exactly enthusiastic.
In the end, he said, ‘Thank you for the tea. I would be glad if you’d think about my offer of marriage.’
He might as well have spoken about the weather again, for all his lack of eagerness. Out of habit, she rose from her chair, and he did the same. She held out her hand, and he squeezed it gently.
‘I will send word when I have made a decision,’ she said.
He nodded and then departed from the room. After he’d gone, she sank into a chair, not knowing what to think. She ought to be grateful that Locharr had offered a celibate marriage. It was what she’d wanted, wasn’t it? A life to live as she chose, with no man to threaten her.
Her thoughts drifted to Dalton St George. In her mind, she compared the two men. Dalton would never have agreed to such a marriage. Although they were friends, even the slightest touch of his hand upon hers evoked the heat of anticipation. Among the ladies of the ton, he had a rather wild reputation—indeed like a rake. But with her, he had only ever been kind and gentle.
And yet, was that not just as dangerous? With a man like Lord Camford, it would be more difficult to maintain a cool distance. He was one who might lure her into trusting him, slowly breaking down her boundaries.
Unlike the laird, who wanted to maintain them. There was no question she ought to be delighted by this offer. And yet, she could only feel a numb emptiness.
The door opened, and her mother entered with barely concealed excitement. ‘Well? What did he say? Did he ask you to marry him?’
‘He did,’ Regina admitted.
Her mother’s smile lit up her face. ‘Oh, my darling, how wonderful! And you accepted his suit?’
‘I told him I would think about it.’
Arabella’s smile faltered. ‘What is there to think about? Our families have been friends for years. And we both know that this marriage is very important to Ned.’
She studied her mother for a time and then voiced the question she had been wondering. ‘But why is it so important to him? I know they were friends, but I feel as if there’s something more. I don’t understand why Papa and you want me to marry Locharr so badly.’
Her mother took a chair, and she seemed to be choosing her words carefully. Then she regarded Regina and admitted, ‘When he was alive, Locharr’s father loaned Ned money during a time of great need. He never asked for repayment, but instead, he wanted our families to be joined in marriage.’
‘So I am to be given as repayment,’ Regina said. It felt rather mercenary, as if her father had offered her up in sacrifice. ‘How much did he lend to Papa?’
Arabella shook her head. ‘I never asked. But he will never allow you to marry anyone else, regardless of rank. Even when I suggested that the money could be repaid, he outright refused. It’s a matter of honour to him.’
It might be honour, but to her, it felt like all choices had been taken from her. She didn’t want to marry any man at all.
And yet, Locharr had offered the only sort of marriage she would consider. He appeared to have little interest in her as a woman, which gave her a sense of relief. No other man would agree to such an arrangement—so what choice did she have?
‘I don’t have to give him an answer right away,’ Regina insisted. ‘And I will think about it.’
Her mother brightened and clasped her hands together in hope.
