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“And why did I fish you out?”
“I was drowning”
“Didn’t you kno to swim, lass?” Gideon asked
“Much to my surprise, I didn’t”
She san to race He was stunned by his own reaction to the woet past the fact that she was so damned pretty It wasn’t like him to behave like this—he wasn’t a boy and he had certainly been in the presence of comely women before It was her smile, he decided then It was really quite infectious
He wondered if Gideon was experiencing a similar response to the lass, and just as soon as he could find the discipline to stop gawking at her, he’d look at his commander
“If you didn’t kno to shy did you go in the lake?” Gideon asked, trying to ical act
She shrugged “Swiure it out, but alas, I was mistaken”
“You were a bold lass,” Gideon commented
“Nay, I was stupid”
“You were young,” Ramsey offered
“You must have turned your parents’ hair white,” Gideon said
“I was accused of doing just that on several occasions,” she replied before turning her attention to Raed in rown up now, but I’m not obstinate, Laird Truly I’m not”
“You should have married by now,” Ra difficult All of the e are fine and worthy soldiers”
“Yes, I’reed
Ramsey took a step toward her She took a step back, for she kneas co of the tent so she could make a quick exit
Raht shethe distance to freedom He maintained his serious deh Was e that repulsive to her?
“Now another soldier has stepped forward to ask for your hand in e,” he said “His name is Dunstan Do you know him?”
She shook her head “No, I don’t”
“He’s a good id, and he would certainly treat you well”
“Why?” she asked
“Why what?” he countered
“Why does he want to ive you a reason?”
Since Ramsey hadn’t spoken to Dunstan personally, he turned to Gideon “Did he give you a reason?”
The commander nodded “He wants you”
Ramsey could tell fro her the full story “Give her his exact words,” he ordered
Gideon’s face colored “Surely the lass doesn’t wish to hear every word, Laird”
“I think she does,” Ramsey countered “And Dunstan expects us to speak for him”
The commander scowled to cover his eid KirkConnell, Dunstan swears his love for you He treasures your beauty and worships the very ground youfloat uponAs God is my witness, those were his very words”
Raid wasn’t the least bit amused Insulted by the declaration, she tried to hide her feelings, knowing that her laird wouldn’t understand How could he? He was a man and, therefore, couldn’t possibly knoas in her heart
“How can this be?” she asked “I have not even met this man, yet he declares his love for me?”
“Dunstan is a good man,” Gideon told her “And I believe he means what he says”
“He’s clearly infatuated with you,” Ramsey added “Would you like time to consider his proposal? Perhaps if you were to sit doith him and discuss this matter—”
“No,” she blurted out “I don’t want to sit doith him, and I don’t need tiive my answer now Would you please tell Dunstan that I thank him for his proposal, but”
“But what?” Gideon asked
“I won’t have him”
Those were the identical words she had used to deny eight other men
“Why not?” Ramsey demanded, his irritation obvious
“I don’t love him”
“What does love have to do with a e proposal? You could learn to love this man”
“I will love theher vehement statement, she took another step back
“How do I reason with such an absurd belief?” Ramsey asked Gideon
“I don’t know,” he replied “Where could she have gotten such notions?”
Their rudeness in openly discussing her as though she weren’t even there angered and frustrated her, but she tried to control her temper because Ramsey was her laird and she should respect his position
“You won’t change your mind about Dunstan?” Ramsey asked
She shook her head “I won’t have him,” she repeated
“Ah, Bridgid, you are a stubborn lass to be sure”
Being criticized a third ti her pride, and she found it ier
“I have been in your presence less than ten minutes, but in that short while you have called h insulting me, I would like to join my aunt and uncle”
Raer She was the first woman ever to speak to him in such a tone Her behavior bordered on insolence, yet he couldn’t fault her because he had said those very words to her, and they were insulting
“You will not speak to your laird with such disrespect,” Gideon corave if he could hear you now”
She lowered her head, but Ramsey saw the tears in her eyes “Let’s leave her father out of this,” he said
“But, Laird, at the very least she should apologize”
“Why? I insulted her, though not deliberately, and for that I apologize”
Her head snapped up “You apologize to me?”
“Yes”
Her s so contrary” She bowed, then turned and ran outside
Gideon frowned after her “She’s a difficult woman,” he remarked “I pity the man who does marry her, for he will have a fine battle on his hands”
Ra battle it would be”
Gideon was surprised by the co a—”
A shout stopped his question and he turned to the entrance just as a young soldier ca inside the tent He was Eh he had just seen the ghost of his father
“Laird, come quickly There’s been a terrible accidentterribleat the falls,” he sta for breath “Your brotheroh, God, your little brother”
Ra outside when Alan’s next words hit him
“Michael’s dead”
CHAPTER TWO