Page 65 of Keeping Kate
“No danger of that. He does not love me.”
“Mm,” he grunted. “He does, or soon will. And you?”
She glanced at Alec, felt herself blush hotly. “I...could.”
“This is hopeful then. Best change the subject. This is dangerous ground,” he said, eyes closed again. “I might be tempted to look at you again, and you would look at me, and then we would both be lost forever in our own wicked charm, my darling. And then what, for dear Alexander?” He smiled wryly.
She laughed again. Jack made her feel light, happy, safe. Yet despite his charm, his kindness, all his attributes, she did not feel irresistibly drawn to him as she did to Alec Fraser, which both thrilled and puzzled her. She touched the fairy crystal at her throat, and wondered briefly if Alec was the one with whom she could find true love, the sort of love the family legend demanded for her.
“I am sure you and I could manage to behave,” she told Jack.
“I suppose. I am that loyal to Captain Fraser, after all.”
“And Jeanie?”
“Aye,” he murmured, eyes closed. “And that fine lass. Oh aye.”
She glanced at Alec, at his broad back and strong shoulders, his tousled brown-gilt hair. She smiled and nodded to herself.
“I am glad you came to no harm these days, Jack. You took a risk for Captain Fraser and me, and I thank you, even if the captain is not so appreciative.”
“In his way, he is. He keeps most things to himself.”
“He certainly keeps to himself why he is so determined to rush me to Edinburgh,” she said. “I am in no hurry. He says you want to stay here for a while, to stay with your lady and your son,” she added bluntly.
He frowned, silent for a moment. “I do want to stay with them.”
“He is very bonny, the bairn. You must be very proud.”
“He looked like a little pink frog the last time I saw him, but he looked bonny tonight,” he admitted.
“He is beautiful,” she said. “Jeanie is a very good mother to him.”
“I know. And I am not so good a father. I offered to marry her, you know, months ago. She refused me,” he added. “Said she would wait until I knew for sure what I wanted. All I have wanted, for the last year, is to marry Jeanie MacLennan. But I fear my wicked past has undone my good will now.”
“I think you are a very good man, Jack MacDonald.”
He huffed. “My secret is out. I try to hide that side of me. And Alec Fraser? What do you think of him?”
“He...befuddles my brain.”
Jack laughed. “You befuddle his brain too, I assure you.”
“I know he is one of the good ones,” she said quietly.
“He would prefer that we do not know that,” Jack whispered.
“If you want to spend time with Jeanie and your son,” she said, “perhaps you should go to her now. It is very late.”
“I promised Alec I would sit with you while he slept.”
“I am sleepy too. We should all rest.” She yawned and stretched a little.
Jack opened his eyes and chuckled. “I am not fooled, Katie Hell,” he drawled.
“Cut more of the cloth of your cousin than I thought.”
“We are much alike. I was fostered as a stray and an orphan in his father’s home.”
