Page 33 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds
Maitland and Maeve’s son was in trouble.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Sloan
Sloan’s mouth went dry as he crossed the hall to greet Eva. Looking as beautiful as ever, she played with wee Grant and the lad was totally taken with her, giggling and kicking like she was the most wonderful person on the planet.
Lucky lad.
“Greetings to you, Eva.”
“Greetings, my lord,” she said, not making eye contact.
Sloan reached for her chin and lifted her gaze to his, mostly because he was selfish. This close to her, he wished to see her beautiful blue eyes up close. They carried a mystery to them, some parts the color of the bright sky, other sections the shade of the darkest night. Which would it be this day? “I am not my lord or chief or anything to you. I am just Sloan.”
She nodded. “Greetings, Sloan.”
He noticed how comfortable she appeared to be with the laddie, handling him as if he belonged to her. “You’re verra good with the lad. I didn’t know you had much experience with bairns.”
“I don’t, but I’m learning. He is a sweet, happy lad, isn’t he?”
“He is. His parents adore him.” Sloan couldn’t help but wonder if there was ever a day when his father had adored him.
“What exactly do you want, Sloan? I don’t think you came here to chat about a bairn.” She lifted her chin a notch to let him know that she wasn’t going to change her mind, if he were to guess.
He hadn’t expected her to. “I had a visit from your brother. Have you spoken to him yet about my offer?”
“Your offer of a betrothal? Aye, I did. I refused. It’s just that I’m not ready for marriage yet. Too much has happened. I know it’s been two years, but I still miss my sire terribly. Ialways thought he would be here when I married. Please don’t be offended.”
He took a seat and rested his elbows on his knees, leaning toward the lad. “Do you have someone else in mind?”
“Nay. I’m just not ready yet.” She set the boy in his boat and handed him a soft toy to play with, one that he swung about until he hit himself in the head, then giggled.
“Good thing it’s not a wooden toy.”
She laughed at that. “He’s a wee bit silly.”
He wasn’t going to drag this out and make it any more painful than it already was. “Eva, I turned your brother’s offer down.”
“My brother’s offer?” She sat back so she could look up at him, the expression on her face one of total confusion. “What was my brother’s offer?”
“Your brother told me he accepted my offer for you, that you didn’t want it, but he was certain you would change your mind. He accepted on your behalf, and I said I only wanted you if you were willing. I am not interested in a forced marriage.”
“He what?” Widened eyes told him that Eva had no idea what Lennox had promised. “He said Iwouldmarry you? And when was this wedding to take place?”
“Undecided.” Sloan held up his palm to her. “No need to panic, Eva. As I told you, I rejected it. I thought we might take the time to see if we do suit, but out of respect for your brother and your blood, I offered a betrothal. I’m sorry you are not interested, but since you rejected me, I want to be clear that I’m not interested in anything unless you are willing.”
Her hands kneaded in her lap for a few moments before she spoke again. “My thanks, Sloan.”
Sloan watched the woman he’d hoped to marry, the lass he believed he loved, the one he’d hoped to bless them with bairns, the one who would stand on the coastline with him and watchsunsets. But it wasn’t to be, something that bothered him more than he cared to admit, the truth of her rejection evident in her lovely features.
Eva was not interested in him, the expression on her face more painful than he’d expected it to be. She had no feelings for him at all.
Her mind was surely spinning with all that he’d told her, and no doubt they were not happy thoughts. “I’m sorry. I assumed you knew of it.”
She shook her head, tears misting her gaze, but she was able to contain them.
Maeve entered from the kitchens and said, “Many thanks to you, Eva. I’ll watch him. I might take him outside for a wee walk inside the curtain wall, see if we can find his father.”
