“Well, of course I am. You just startled me, that’s all.”
“Have you been so lonesome that you must needs talk to yourself?”
“I wasn’t talking to myself. I was—” Katrine broke off abruptly, realizing what she had almost divulged. She had no intention of telling Callum of her condition and having him pity her, or worse, havin
g him make light of her predicament.
“No?” Callum glanced about him in mock bewilderment. “I don’t see anyone else around.”
“I mean…of course I was talking to myself,” Katrine amended quickly to cover her slip. “It just sounds foolish to admit it.”
He raised a skeptical eyebrow, regarding her with an intent look. “What was all that business about ‘papa’?”
“What are you doing here?” she returned hastily. “Don’t you know you could be arrested?”
He shrugged amiably, allowing her to change the subject. “Who’s to arrest me?”
“Why, the militia, that’s who! Every soldier in the county of Argyll is hunting for you and your clan.”
Grinning, Callum dropped to his knees beside her. “Let them hunt. They’ll not find any reason to clap me in the tolbooth. By the by, I have several messages for you.” He held up a hand and began ticking off communications on his fingers. “Meggie misses you and wants you to come back. Flora sends her regards. And last week Hector had a change of heart. It seems Meggie’s lamb has been off his feed, mourning your loss. Hector now claims he wouldn’t object overly much if you returned as mistress of the clan.”
Her eyes misting, Katrine looked away, the reminder of all she had lost welling up as a hollow ache in her heart. It was small consolation that she was remembered by those dear souls she had grown so fond of during her captivity. For the most important of them was determined to deny her very existence. Raith. The man for whom she would willingly have sacrificed anything, the man for whom she had forsaken both her principles and her clan. Naturally he hadn’t sent her any messages. She wished Callum would satisfy her longing to hear about Raith, for she refused to ask about him. But Callum seemed more intent on discussing her; Katrine could feel his penetrating gaze searching her face.
“I fancy,” he continued easily, “that you’ve been too occupied to concern yourself with the MacLeans’ doings. Could it have anything to do with the expectation of a wee come-of-will, perhaps?”
A come-of-will. A Scottish sobriquet for a child born out of wedlock.
Katrine caught her breath on another gasp, her eyes flying to Callum’s. “How did you know?”
“It might have something to do with the protective way you’re clutching your belly,” he replied, his dark eyes dancing, “or the curious way you were talking to your lower regions, with nary a soul in sight. I didn’t imagine for a minute that you were addressing your knees. Not when you made such intriguing remarks as ‘how your papa abducted me.’”
Katrine’s eyes narrowed in irritation, even as self-consciously she snatched her hand from her stomach and hid it beneath the folds of her plaid. But despite his amused grin, she didn’t think Callum was laughing at her, for his tone had become oddly gentle.
“Raith doesn’t know about the bairn, I gather?”
“No, and don’t you dare tell him! I’m perfectly capable of providing for any ‘issue’ myself. My grandmother left me a sizable portion.”
“You don’t think he has a right to know?”
“Why ever should he? He was the one who sent me away.”
For a moment Callum didn’t answer. Surveying her idly, he plucked at a tuft of grass. “I suppose I should offer to marry you myself.”
Katrine’s mouth dropped open. “You? You can’t be serious.”
Callum winced at her frankness. “You wound me, Katie. My first proposal and you dismiss it out of hand.”
“You know I didn’t mean it that way.... I’m sure any woman would be honored to accept your suit. But you know a marriage between us would be preposterous. You don’t love me, any more than Raith does.”
“Perhaps, but I’m serious about announcing our intention to marry. If Raith thought he could lose you to someone else, he might come to his senses.”
For no reason Katrine could name, a blush suffused her cheeks. Perhaps it was the idea of having to use coercion to nab Raith as a husband. She couldn’t do it. Her pride wouldn’t allow it.
Firmly Katrine shook her head. “I appreciate your kindness, Callum, but I don’t want Raith that way. I don’t want him to marry me simply to provide a name for my child.”
“You’re sure?”
“Quite sure. And I want you to promise me that you won’t mention a word of this to Raith.”