Page 110 of Claimed By a Ruthless Scot
Duncan remained where she had left him. The courtyard carried on as though nothing of consequence had occurred to him, and it all seemed distant and dulled to him, as though he stood apart from it.
Beside him, Iain had watched the entire ordeal in silence.
At length, he spoke. “Ye hadnae told her.”
It was not a question, so Duncan did not immediately reply. His gaze remained fixed in the direction she had gone, with his thoughts moving too quickly for ease.
“I didnae think it necessary,” he admitted, realizing how wrong he was.
Iain’s brow lifted slightly. “Nae necessary?” he repeated.
Duncan exhaled in a sound that was controlled but strained.
“I asked her tae marry me because I wished tae,” he explained. “Because of what I feel fer her, nae because of what she might bring tae the clan, nor simply because her faither made an offer.”
The words came with certainty, though there was frustration beneath them now, at himself, at the turn of events, at the realization of what his silence had cost him.
“She was never part of any bargain,” he added, more firmly. “Nor will she ever be.”
Iain studied him for a moment, then gave a small nod.
“Aye,” he said quietly. “I ken that.”
Duncan’s gaze flickered toward him briefly.
“But she daesnae,” Iain continued.
The truth of it settled heavily between them. Duncan said nothing. What could he say?
He had meant to speak to her. He had intended, in his own time, to explain what Fraser’s offer entailed, to make it clear that it had no bearing upon what he had asked of her. And yet, he had delayed. He had assumed there would be time.
Iain shifted his stance slightly, and when he spoke again, he did not do it as a captain, but as something far more personal.
“Then ye must make her understand,” he advised. “And quickly.”
Duncan’s jaw tightened.
“She will nae listen,” he replied.
“Then make her listen,” Iain returned without hesitation. “Dae whatever ye must.”
There was no trace of command in his voice now, only conviction.
“I am telling ye this nae as yer captain,” he added, “but as yer friend.”
Duncan looked at him fully then, and Iain met his gaze without flinching.
“I have watched ye these past weeks,” he went on. “And I have kenned ye long enough tae see what ye will nae say aloud. Ye care fer her more than ye ever intended.”
Duncan did not deny it.
“I want tae see the clan secure,” Iain continued, “and but I want tae see ye happy as well.”
A brief pause followed.
“And if she is the one who brings ye that, then ye would be a fool tae let this end over words that can still be mended.”
The simplicity of it struck more deeply than any argument of strategy or necessity.
