To Defy a Highland Duke by Collette Cameron

Author:Collette Cameron
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Highland
Published: 2020-04-13T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

KEANE KEPT HIS face impassive as he released Marjorie’s hand, then took Dolag’s wrinkled fingers between his. “Thank ye, Dolag. I shall heed yer words.”

She’d been correct on too many occasions for him to callously disregard her prediction. And Odin’s teeth, her public declaration that the fate of his clan and duchy lay entirely in his hands, unnerved the bloody hell out of him.

Not to mention having the audacity to put Marjorie’s hand in his.

Marjorie had looked so astounded, he’d feared she might object and unintentionally insult Dolag. Instead, she’d summoned a tranquil smile, though color suffused her cheeks.

He might not believe in superstition, but Dolag most assuredly did, as did many of his people—a great many, truth to tell.

By God, he didn’t have to peruse his guests to know several eyebrows had shied high on foreheads—including the Kennedy brothers—at the gesture. Speculation would run rampant now, and there was naught he could do to dam it.

Dolag had opened the floodgates.

Why wasn’t he annoyed?

Outraged? Incensed?

Quite simply, Keane had decided this morning that Marjorie Kennedy would be part of his future, and Dolag’s predictions had nothing to do with it. The idea had taken root yesterday and had grown stronger and more credible with each passing hour.

Yes, a previous Buchannan had wronged a Kennedy woman, but that didn’t mean Keane would. His intentions were completely honorable when it came to Marjorie. He’d be twenty times a fool not to pursue whatever this burgeoning emotion was.

“Och, I ken ye will.” Affection softened Dolag’s wrinkled visage before she once more focused that acutely penetrating stare on Marjorie. “Ye’ll need the Englishwoman’s help, though.”

She wasn’t going to let that particular matter go, was she?

Marjorie’s eyes widened a fraction, and color skated up the gentle slopes of her cheeks again, but she gave Dolag a warm smile.

How had Dolag known Marjorie was English?

He supposed it wouldn’t have been that difficult to find out.

The old woman glanced around, and her face brightened. “I have a mind to fill my stomach now, lad.”

And with that pronouncement, she tottered down the length of the table gathering those foods she fancied into her tartan, then humming to herself, wandered from the hall.

For the most part, his guests had turned their attention back to their forgotten plates and abandoned conversations. Keane intentionally avoided looking in the Kennedys’ direction. He had no desire to see whatever mocking or derisive glances they sent his way.

Leaning down, he spoke softly near Marjorie’s ear. Her lemon and rose fragrance wafted from her hair. “Marjorie, might I have that word with ye now?”

He forced his lips into a serene smile and, trying to ignore his ward’s probing gaze, swinging between him and Marjorie, he pulled her chair out. Bethea had indeed grown up and possessed a woman’s intuition, as did her sister.

“Certainly.” All lithe grace, Marjorie slipped from the seat, once more drawing the attention of more than a few guests. With admirable aplomb, she kept her focus on him, though in a deferential matter that no one could fault.

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