Page 97 of My Highland Love

Elise paused at the stairs and glanced over her shoulder. Marcus met her gaze, but she only shook her head and turned to go up the stairs.

“You're to be married in two days,” Sophie said, taking the first step behind her. “Perhaps you should give serious thought to your decision, Elise.”

Marcus jumped from his seat at the table. By God, he would strangle her. He strode across the room. Halting at the bottom of the stairs, he called up to them, “Sophie, you would do well to keep your thoughts to yourself.” His voice echoed up the narrow staircase and both women halted, covering their ears.

“Of all the nerve,” Sophie complained as they started up again. “Marcus, I never knew you to be so perverse. Mayhap you should reconsider, Elise. I wonder if any of us know him at all.”

Marcus took the stairs two at a time and, in a flash, reached Sophie's side. “You will retire to your chambers now, Cousin,” he growled.

Grasping her elbow, he hurried her up the stairs ahead of him until they reached Elise. Marcus grabbed her elbow with his other hand and forced them up the remaining steps ahead of him. He escorted them down the corridor until they reached Elise's chambers. He shoved Sophie in the direction of her room, opened Elise's door, and thrust her inside.

“Don't leave this room the remainder of the evening. I will have dinner sent up.”

Elise mumbled something unintelligible as he clicked the door shut behind him.

When Marcus reentered the hall a moment later, the low laugher of the men cut short. Those sitting at the table seemed absorbed in the odd task of examining the tabletop. Marcus looked closer as he neared them and discerned the collective struggle to keep from bursting into laughter.

“Out with it!” he boomed. “I couldn't live with the guilt of someone bursting a blood vessel.”

No one made a peep, and he threw his hands into the air and headed for the sanctuary of his library. When he was halfway up the stairs, the hall filled with laughter. Marcus paused, torn between cursing the men and joining them, then shook his head and hurried up the stairs.

* * *

At the light tap on his library door, Marcus ceased speaking to Harris. The door opened and Sophie peered inside.

“Oh,” she said, “forgive me. I didn't know you were busy.”

She started to back away and Harris said, “We can finish later, Marcus. I have enough here to begin work.” He lifted his notebook to indicate his notes.

“No,” Sophie began, but Marcus waved her in. Harris rose, bowed to Sophie, then left them alone. She seated herself in the chair Harris had occupied, and said, “You seem to have accomplished a great deal this morning.” She motioned to the open ledger on his desk.

“I rise early,” he replied.

“It is a beautiful morning.”

Marcus gave her an appraising look. “I would think after yesterday evening that this morning would not be so pleasant for you.”

Sophie smiled. “I have a strong constitution, as you well know.” She settled back against the cushion and regarded him. “Do not say you are truly angry with me.”

“Shocked. As Justin would be, I wager.”

“My God!” she exclaimed. “Mayhap Elise was right.”

“Right about what?” he asked sharply.

“She commented on the puritanical characteristic of the MacGregors.”

Marcus tossed aside the quill he'd been holding and lounged in his chair. “I assume this is in reference to me?”

“You were the original topic of conversation. But never mind that. I like Elise.”

“Aye?”

“Yes. She told me the harrowing story of how she came to be here. I am curious, though, what it is she is omitting.”

“What do you mean?”

Sophie's expression softened. “It is plain you care for her.”