His Adam’s apple bobbed. “She’s my sister. I need to go with you.”
Edward had never had a sister, but he couldn’t refuse Ned. He could see the desperation in his eyes. So even though they were still quite uncomfortable together, and probably always would be, he nodded.
“I’m going too.” This from Kaitlin, in a now-familiar intransigent tone.
He froze. “You’re not coming.”
“Of course I’m coming. Edward, what do you think this is all about? Callum wants to trade me for Violet.”
A hard ball curled in his gut. “He’s not trading you for anyone. I will negotiate for Violet’s return with the McCloud.”
She surveyed him. The sad look on her face wrenched his heart. “The McCloud does not negotiate.”
“He will negotiate with me. You are not going.”
“I must. Edward.” She set her hand on his arm. “It is my duty. Violet is my dearest friend. She was taken because of me. Don’t you see?”
“You’ll be safer here.”
“I shall be perfectly safe. The McCloud won’t hurt me. He wants to marry me.”
“You are not marrying him.” Why he snarled, he didn’t know.
“I don’t see any other way. If only I had made enough— Oh bother. Edward. Take that look off your face. We both knew this wouldn’t last forever.”
Acid rose in his throat. He had known. Known it wouldn’t last forever. Fully expected as much. Expected to tire of her by now. He had not.
But the thought of Kaitlin in any other man’s bed, especially Ewan McCloud’s, made that tight ball in his belly churn and howl. The thought of losing her, of never holding her again, sent panic skittering through his soul.
He glanced at Ned, who was watching this exchange with a dark glower, then took her arm and turned her to the side so they could speak with the illusion of privacy.
“Kaitlin, darling. Let me handle this. I promise you, it will all work out.”
She crossed her arms. “How can you promise that?”
“I will get Violet back and I swear, upon all that is holy, you will never have to marry a man against your will. Certainly not because of something as inconsequential as money.”
“It is hardly an inconsequential amount of money.”
Edward snorted. How could he make her understand that to him, money was the least consequential thing in his life? He would give anything to keep her.
The realization slammed into him like a carriage gone amok. Everything crystallized, became achingly clear.
Now he understood.
Now he understood.
This was how James had felt about Helena. How Helena had felt about James.
As though they would wither away to ash without each other. As though they could not breathe when apart.
He loved her.
He loved her and he would love her until death should they part.
“Why are you smiling like that?”
Ah, God. He adored her. She’d waltzed into his life and slapped him out of his insidious rut and excited him and invigorated him. She’d given his life back. Retrieved his soul.
“Edward?”
“Darling.” He kissed her, investing every shred of feeling into the embrace. When he returned, when he had reclaimed Violet and all was well with the world, he would ask—demand—that she become his duchess. A thrill skated through him at the thought, and with it, an odd tinge of bone-melting relief. Yes. She would be his wife. And his illustrator and, God willing, the mother of his own brood of hellions.
They were in Scotland, for God’s sake. They could be married tomorrow.
But first he needed to finish this. Besides, this was hardly the moment to propose a lifelong partnership.
Transom cleared his throat. At the same moment, Ned said, “Ahem,” and Edward realized he was still kissing Kaitlin.
He could kiss her forever.
He would.
“Trust me, darling,” he said, bussing her once more on her beautiful brow. “Everything will be all right.”
Kaitlin watched Edward go, sorrow and regret weighing on her heart. “Trust me, darling,” he’d said. “I’ll handle this,” he’d said.
Dear, sweet man.
He had no clue with whom he was dealing. The McCloud would never let Violet go—not without Kaitlin in hand. As desperate as Callum was to pay off his debt, that was how desperate the McCloud was for a well-born wife. He needed the entrée to the haute ton and would do whatever it took to get it.
She knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, if the McCloud couldn’t have Kaitlin, he would force Violet to marry him.
And she couldn’t bear the thought.
The guilt was staggering. If only Violet had not helped her escape, her friend would be safe, right now, in the arms of her family.