“Not if I get there first.” Eoin released his grip and stood back.
Aleck sat up, coughing and rubbing his throat. “You’re taking her word?”
“Aye.” Gathering the bairn from Gyllis, Helen hugged Maggie to her breast. “I’ll not be seeing my daughter traded for lands when she’s still but a babe. She will mature into a fully grown woman before she weds.” Helen glared directly at Duncan. “And when she does marry, it will be to someone of her choosing.”
After Aleck and his retinue rode away, Duncan rapped Eoin on the shoulder. “Come, take a walk with me.”
Eoin knew what was coming. He looked like a goddamned fool hiding out in the cottage with Helen. If Mr. Keith and John had not arrived, who knew what the outcome of that altercation would have been. Most likely, Duncan would have killed Eoin and discovered the truth later.
Stepping outside, the autumn air was cold and a thick mist hung above the clearing, but Eoin’s blood was still running too hot to feel it.
Duncan wasn’t smiling. In fact he was red in the face and looked like he wanted to hit something. Perhaps my nose. Every muscle in Eoin’s body tensed. He followed as the Lord of Glenorchy marched along the path like an ogre. They’d gone about a quarter mile when Duncan stopped and grasped Eoin by the shoulders. “I thought better of you, MacGregor.”
Eoin clenched his fists and shrugged away. Must Duncan always jump to conclusions? “I—”
“You ken you have ruined my sister and her daughter.”
Bowing obsequiously, Eoin spread his arms. “Only if you declare it to be so.”
“Have you gone completely mad? How many people know your whereabouts? I’d wager half of Argyllshire is aware of your indiscretion by now.”
“Perhaps, but you can make it right.” Eoin licked his lips. “I offer for Lady Helen’s hand. I love her. Always have.”
“Love?” Duncan threw up his hands. “How that notion has a way of putting men in a world of strife.”
“I seem to recall you had a similar situation with Lady Meg’s brother when he marched his army to Kilchurn and nearly blasted her walls down with his shiny new cannons.”
Duncan raked his fingers through his black hair. “Christ, don’t remind me how foolish I was.”
Had Eoin found a slight fissure in Glenorchy’s anger? Regardless, he wasn’t about to let it pass. “I remember that day well—I even cautioned you, m’lord. But off you went, the courageous knight stepping out alone to meet the Earl of Angus and his troops. What did you say to him after you convinced him to follow you into the antechamber? Did you declare your love for Lady Meg as I have for Lady Helen?”
Duncan crossed his arms—a clear sign Eoin was wearing him down. “My situation was entirely different.” Oh yes, the Lord of Glenorchy could be smug.
“Was it now? Exactly how did you arrive at such a remarkable conclusion?” Eoin stepped in, gaining confidence. “I watched Lady Helen grow from a lass into a woman. Out of respect for you and your family, I kept my feelings in check all these years. Why should we not be married as you and Lady Meg were?”
“First of all, Lady Meg wasn’t married prior to my meeting with Lord Arthur. Secondly, Helen’s dowry has already been lost…“” Duncan resumed his wary scowl. “What were you doing staying with my sister in a cabin in the woods?”
“I—she—” Eoin expected to be hammered with this argument first. Damn him for attacking with a devious blow.
“Do you have any idea how disgraceful your actions appear?”
Eoin kicked the dirt. “I was planning to approach you this day, as a matter of fact.”
“But we beat you to it. That doesn’t bode well for you, MacGregor.”
“I didn’t think anyone knew where we were, aside from Lady Gyllis.”
“And Mr. Keith.”
Eoin had to agree there. “The guard pledged fealty to Lady Helen.”
“You should know he didn’t turn backstabber. He gave you away with a mere shift of his eyes.”
“I could never blame him—only myself for this bungle.” Eoin stepped in and placed his hand on Duncan’s shoulder. “Please, you are my closest friend and ally. I’ll take good care of Lady Helen. She’ll never want for anything, and I swear on my father’s grave, she will never fear being struck by a man again.”
Duncan winced, then he stepped away and turned his back, as if finding something he needed to study in the trees. “In light of your indiscretion before speaking to me, I will not be able to offer you a farthing for her maintenance.”
Eoin’s stomach performed a backflip. “Do you think I want your coin? After all these years of riding in your shadow, supporting you and your father, how can you not know that your respect is what I covet most?”
Duncan swiveled around and one corner of his mouth turned up. “So nothing’s changed, then?”
“Of course nothing has changed…except now you know I’ve been in love with your sister since I was four and ten.”
Duncan gestured toward the path leading back to the cottage. “Four and ten? Honestly?”
“Aye.”
“Bloody hell, why did you not say something when I was arranging her marriage to that monster?”
Eoin had a plethora of responses to that question, including his own ill-founded feelings of inadequacy for such a gem as Lady Helen. Instead, he shrugged. “You seemed so intent on making the alliance. I didn’t want to stand in your way.” That was true as well and it didn’t make him out to be less of a man. He may not be lord of a castle, but Eoin was chieftain of a powerful and feared clan. He would always be proud of his parentage.
Duncan slapped him on the back. “And the bairn. You will raise Maggie as your own?”
“Who wouldn’t adore a lass as bonny as she? Of course, I will see to her care in every way.”
His lordship pulled away and narrowed his eyes. “What is Maggie’s middle name?”
Eoin remembered the first time Helen had said the name. She’d been so proud. “Alice. Helen named her Alice after her younger sister.”
A big grin parted Duncan’s lips. “I kent you wouldn’t cross me.”
“Never.”
Chapter Thirty-One
When the door opened, Helen handed Maggie to Gyllis and faced Duncan and Eoin, hands clasped, ready to wage war with her brother. She would do and say whatever was necessary not to lose Eoin again. They had pledged their love, and though Duncan was their lord and master, he would not deny her happiness for the rest of her life.
Duncan eyed Helen with a stern countenance. Eoin, however, grinned like he’d just won the grand prize at the Highland games. Gyllis, Mr. Keith, Sean and John stood behind her, not only their presence, but their support bolstered Helen’s nerves. She would not fail.
Duncan tipped his chin up.
Helen decided to allow him to speak first. After all, her brother was the Lord of Glenorchy, even if she would defy him this day.
But he did something Helen did not expect. He gestured to Eoin. “The Chieftain of Clan Gregor has something he’d like to say.”