Her feet hesitated, and he looked down at her with a question in his eyes. Was she alright? Did she need something?
“I’m not a duchess,” she said, though where the words came from she had no idea.
“I’m not a duke,” he returned.
Yet.His father still lived, though the days were numbered.
“I am the last of the MacAdaidhs,” she said. “And a girl. On my marriage, the clan ends.”
He shrugged. “Your father might yet remarry. Either way, you’ve a noble heritage behind you.” She saw the questions deepen in his eyes. Why was she telling him things he already knew?
“We have a bet on whichotherlady you intend to wed.”
He shook his head. “You are running away, Mairi. Your feet may be planted right here, but in your mind, you are bringing up excuse after silliness, all because you are afraid.”
“Some things should be feared.”
“And some things are only trying their best to help you.”
Word games. Tangled thoughts. She was running, she realized, and every time she turned around, there he was guiding her in the direction he willed. Tonight, he took her to her bedroom door. He bowed over her hand, pressing his lips to her glove while his eyes held hers. His gaze never wavered, even when he straightened and took a step back.
“Don’t lock your door,” he whispered.
She wouldn’t, but she didn’t say that aloud. Then he spun on his heel and disappeared into his own bedroom. Down the hall, Mairi could still hear Sadie and Iseabail whispering to one another. She heard a thump, then a cascade of giggles.
She could head to their bedroom. She could hear the truth of this night from them and fall asleep in one of their beds while listening to their secrets. That would foil whatever kisses and more that she’d promised to Connall.
She didn’t. She went into her bedroom, allowed the maid to help her undress, then quickly dismissed the girl. She tried to sit on the bed and wait but was too restless. Her nightrail choked her, so she opened the top few buttons. She opened the window, wishing to see the moon on the highland moors. The London city was close and cluttered with dim pools of lamplight. There was a charm to it, but it did not soothe her.
She wrapped her hand around the bedpost and leaned against it. What little breeze came in did little to cool her body. Summer was done, autumn begun, but she felt like she was burning up just from the frenzy of her thoughts.
What was she about to do?