Page 32 of Highland Jewel
Maisie and Niall went out and turned their steps in the direction of Regent Street and the Shakespeare Theatre. As they walked, she thought about her friend’s words.
Fiona was right. She had to speak to Isabella. Her sister was the only person in that house who genuinely cared for her, loved her. It was time she knew about Maisie’s feelings for Niall. Changing Archibald’s mind would surely be a battle, but she recognized that she’d need her sister’s help to do it.
Before they even reached the theatre, they found a pair of hackney cabs. Niall helped her into one of them and climbed in after her.
Sitting beside him, she felt every touch of their hips, every bump of their shoulders as the carriage rolled along the uneven cobbled street. His legs were long and filledthe limited space before him. One hand sat on his knee, close to hers. Maisie studied the strong, calloused fingers. Unlike other men, Niall rarely wore gloves. Still, his hands were always warm, and there was a gentleness in the way he held her hand that felt like a caress. Her mind kept returning to his kiss. They were alone in this carriage. She wondered if he would do it again. She wanted him to kiss her.
As the cab turned toward the Old Town, a wheel struck a hole in the road, jarring them and tossing her against him. When they were again settled, he brushed his fingers against hers.
“I’ve been waiting all evening to tell you something.”
“Oh?”
“About a prospect that has come up. A position.”
Maisie knew from Fiona that Niall had been thinking about his plans for the future.
“Before I accept it, I need to know your opinion of it.”
Askingheropinion. Maisie’s. He was speaking abouttheirfuture. Neither had declared their affection. Neither had made any commitment to the other. But they both knew. She had no doubt. She looked up at him. His face was in the shadows, but his eyes shone as they stared into hers. She recognized the uneasy mix of excitement and apprehension.
“Something with one of the militias or in the government?”
He shook his head. “I’ve had offers, but I’m not interested in them.”
Relieved, she took hold of his hand. She couldn’t imagine how she would go about diminishing Archibald’s concerns if Niall had done either. “Tell me.”
“About a year ago, I was introduced to James Watt, the son of the inventor.”
Everyone in Scotland knew of the father, the engineerfrom Greenock who invented the steam engine. It was changing the world by providing power to run machines. It had been trumpeted about in the streets when he died recently.
“Watt took over his father’s company when the old man retired,” he continued. “In the course of our conversation, he mentioned a problem they were having breaking into the steam engine market of the industrial north.”
She paid close attention to every word. She wanted to remember every detail, for she intended to repeat all of this to her sister.
“I wrote to him recently, telling him I have funds I’d be interested in investing in his company.” Niall pressed her hand between his. “The long and short of it is, Watt has offered to take me into the company. He wants me to help him expand into the eastern Highlands. He thinks that as a Highlander and a former military man, I have a far greater chance of succeeding where others have failed.”
Hewouldsucceed. She had no doubt of it. Maisie knew almost nothing about engineering or any of the related sciences, but she spoke with weavers and brewers on a daily basis, and she knew every industry—from shipbuilding to mining to mills of every kind—was undergoing change because of steam engines.
She squeezed his hand excitedly. “Are you going to accept his offer?”
“It would require some travel. I’ll need to spend time in the Highlands, primarily in Aberdeen and Inverness.” He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. “And I’d like you to come with me.”
Maisie’s heart could have sung out her reply, and yet the words still struggled to leave her lips. “Me?”
“You. That is, if you’ll have me for your husband. I know… I know I’m not doing a very good job of asking. And this cab is not the most romantic place to beproposing to someone like you. And I already know that your family will disapprove. But I’m certain I can convince them that I’m worthy of you. I love you, Maisie, and I respect you. And I’ll forever protect you. And I promise to give you a life—”
She put her fingers against his lips. This impressive, beautiful warrior was nervous. “My answer is yes. A thousand times, yes,” she repeated. “I love you too. And you can leave my family to me. I’ll speak to my sister.”
She gasped when he took her by the waist and pulled her in one sweeping motion onto his lap. He kissed her, but it ended too quickly.
He pulled back. “You love me?”
Maisie didn’t move. Her face was inches away from his. She felt the heat of a blush burning in her cheeks. “I love you. And no one can stop me from becoming your wife.”
Her heart was beating so hard that she feared it would explode from her chest.
“I don’t want your family to turn against you,” he murmured against her lips. “We’ll convince them.”
