Page 79 of Keeping Kate
She remembered that moment exactly, remembered what she had said spontaneously. “I said...I love you,” she whispered.
“Do you?”
“Why ask this now? You do not need to marry me because of what we have done in private.”
He touched her elbow. “Sometimes...fever burns away what we do not need and helps us see what is most essential.”
She tilted her head. “Alasdhair Callda, with all your rules and orders. With all your thinking. This is what you want.”
“It is. I am not an impulsive man, true. I am a staid sort. But you have turned me round and about, Katie Hell. Life looks different now than before. I am finding my bearings again. With you.”
She felt turned about inside, too. “There are too many differences between us. Marriage is not the right thing if you are only trying to help me. I am bound by clan tradition to marry only—under certain conditions. Please understand.”
“What I understand,” he said, “is that I am being refused.” He sat back. “Very well. If that is what you prefer.”
Though this was what she had insisted on, her heart sank, felt like a stone in her gut. Tears stung her eyes. She began to speak, but could not find a way to explain this. It suddenly sounded like nonsense to base her refusal on a legend. It seemed foolish and hurtful to both of them. But pride made her stand by it.
“I will go see if the rest of your things have been mended,” she blurted, and rushed to the door.
