Page 19 of Harrowing Hall
They bid Jane and Hugh a joyous time and continued through the crowd until they veered off onto a torch-lit path that would afford them more privacy. He stopped and cupped her shoulders the moment they were alone. “Are you well?” Then, because he swore honesty between them. “I sense the old fortune teller rattled you, and I dare say, with good reason.”
“It was not a trick of the light, was it?” Though Maude shivered, she braved his revelation with her usual courage. “You did not see anyone sitting there, did you?”
“No.” He shook his head. “You and Jane were verra much alone.”
She flinched. “Did we look foolish talking to thin air?”
“Truth told, it could be said you were merely talking to each other.” He grinned and set her mind at ease. “Forget not that this is a night of games and tricks. Even if you did appear to be speaking to thin air, we Scots would think you but jesting. After all, this is a night when spooking others is in fashion.”
Maude met his smile, relieved. “Thank goodness.” She fingered her pearls. “Jane recognized these and feared they might upset others. What do you think? Should I remove them?”
“Absolutely not.” He shook his head, not worried in the least. “Dear Lady Jane tends to be more superstitious than most. And again, this is a night for such things. More than that, though, they look beautiful, and I believe you are meant to wear them.”
“Good, because I am loath to remove them.” She glanced from the castle to him. “Just as I am loath to ignore what the old fortune teller told me. For I believe it might have something to do with Harrowing Hall.”
When he perked a brow in curiosity, she went on, explaining the tail end of what he and Hugh had caught when they came upon her and Jane.
“She claimed the castle was haunted as she studied her leaves.” Maude’s eyes rounded. “Then she looked right at me and claimed it was possessed by unrest that might never find peace unless I find something. Realize something. Look beyond something.”
How interesting. “That is quite specific…in a roundabout way.”
“I thought so.” Maude cocked her head. “What do you think she meant? Might it have to do with these pearls?” She frowned. “Though one would think they had already been found.”
“That is true.” He considered them. “Yet perhaps there is something you need to realize when it comes to the pearls?”
“Perhaps.” Maude thought about it. “I got the distinct feeling it was more than that. Something…personal.” She shook her head. “Which makes no sense.”
“But will in good time, I am sure.”
Of that, he had little doubt because Maude had most assuredly caught the attention of Harrowing Hall. And he could not help but think in a good way. That there was nothing to fear from all this. To his way of thinking, and he felt it more by the moment, his Maude was here for more than just the love he bore her.
Yet first, therewasthat love. Here and now. Moments that meant so very much to him. Moments that belonged to them and them alone. So he brushed his lips across Maude’s and admired her beauty. “The fur suits you perfectly. Do you like it?”
“Iadoreit.” Her eyes lit up. “It’s beautiful but too much.” As she tended to do lately and he very much liked, she rested her hand on his chest. “As was what I suspect you did to make sure Jane and Hugh found happiness together.”
Enchanted by her beauty, the way she looked in the firelight with her long curls blowing in the wind, he rested his hand over hers. “I did what you would have done.”
“But at what cost?”
“Does it matter?”
“Not if it were my money.” Maude sighed and flattened her palm against his chest. “I have been selfish in my desire to bring love together in that I did not see clearly there was but one way to do that.” Her brows pinched. She shook her head. “You should not have to give away your inheritance to appease my whims.” Her eyes widened when she realized how that might have come across. “And I do not say that because we are to be married, and I fear losing wealth that I will soon enjoy.”
“The thought had not even crossed my mind.” And it had not because he knew Maude cared nothing for wealth. She did, however, seem to care a great deal for other people’s happiness. “Mo leannan, while, aye, we MacLauchlins inherited a great deal of wealth, I make my own living, too. I might be titled, but as you know, I work hard and run my own businesses. All of which I hope you will help me run in good time.” He wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and caressed her tension away. “So it is my money to give to others if I so choose. Wealth I earned. Wealthweshall earn.”
“Truly?”
“Truly.”
“Then I thank you for that, Lord MacLauchlin.” Her eyes drifted as he massaged her neck. “I thank you for more than you will ever know.”
“And I, you.” He brushed his lips across hers again because he could not help himself, then murmured in her ear, “Now can we continue on and be married, my love?”
Her eyes snapped open. “I nearly forgot.”
“No.” He issued a slow smile. “Ghosts aside, you have been counting down the minutes.”
“I suppose I have,” she confessed softly. “Is it time?”
