Page 141 of The Highlander Is All That

It was enough for him. He bent and whipped her into his arms and strode toward the garden doors.

“I say,” Granger said, but he did not follow. Probably because the Duke of Moncrieff took his arm and whispered something to him with a smile.

But that was the last thing Elizabeth saw before they passed into the cool night air.

Hamish didn’t stop until they reached the lovely fountain in the center of the garden. He set her down gently and stared at her.

“You’re lovely.”

“Thank you.”

“Elizabeth . . .” He seemed to struggle for words. His expression was desolate.

She could not let him suffer like this. Gently, she set her hand on his cheek. “I know, Hamish. I know. I love you too.”

He frowned and she suspected she’d stolen his thunder, but he was not dissuaded. “I love you more than life itself,” he said harshly. “You have to believe me. I canna live without you. I doona want to.”

“I know.”

His frown deepened. “There is no one but you. No one. Do you understand?”

“I do.”

“And as far as the duke is concerned—”

“It’s all right, Hamish.”

“It’s no’. You need to know. None of that matters to me. No’ if I canna have you. Please believe me.”

“I do, Hamish. I do.”

“You do?”

“Yes. Because I love you the same way. I do.”

He kissed her then, softly, sweetly. And then it grew to something more. Something she had missed for weeks and weeks. “Darling,” she murmured.

He lifted his head and stared at her, his love shining though his eyes. “Darling.”

“I’m sorry I was so childish,” she said with a grin.

“I’m sorry I was a buffoon.”

“Never say it.” She reached up onto her toes and kissed him again, her heart full, swelling with love and joy and—

“Ahem.” It was impossible not to recognize that voice.

Reluctantly, Elizabeth turned around to face none other than Lady Jersey, who had a starchy expression on her face. She stood with Aunt Esmeralda, the Duchess of Moncrieff, and the Countess of Darlington.

Oh, lovely.

Four dragons of the ton. And she’d been caught, once more, in flagrante delicto.

It was becoming something of a habit.

Somehow Elizabeth didn’t much care. She offered them all a wide grin, and everyone but Lady Jersey grinned back.

“You, my dear,” the maven announced in stentorian tones, “have been thoroughly compromised.”