She held him back when he started to turn away, but he only meant to peer out the window to see if the old bastard was lurking outside. “Honestly, Ewan. You can’t expect him to be hiding among Lady Finchley’s bluebells and primroses. He’s old and frail, and moves with the speed of a snail. You’re using him as an excuse to avoid facing the truth about us. I need my answers. You never asked me to marry you.”
His collar suddenly felt as if it had grown too tight. What was wrong with him? This was Lily, the woman who’d conquered his heart. “You know how I feel about you.”
“You’re right. I do. But perhaps you don’t. You’re still afraid to admit it.”
“This isn’t the conversation I planned to have with you.”
She took a deep breath and sighed. “Then tell me what you intended to say.”
He thought of his grandfather, that old man crying in his arms, afraid he was going to die sad and alone. Ewan was much like him, and about to make the same prideful mistake that would cost him Lily. No, not if he could help it. He drew her into his arms. “What I wished to say to you is that I want to spend the rest of my days with you. I can’t imagine my days without you in my life, or my nights without you in my arms. I know our marriage won’t be easy for you, for I’ll be taking you far from your family. But we’ll work it out. I promise. Your family is welcome to visit us whenever they like, and welcome to stay as long as they wish.”
“Heaven forbid,” she said with a jovial grimace. “That’s the longest speech I’ve ever heard you give.”
“There’s more. We have scientific societies, geographical societies, a slew of historical societies in Scotland, mainly in Edinburgh, but you can start as many as you like in the Highlands. I’ll sponsor every damn one of them.” Smiling, he tipped a finger under her chin and drew her gaze to his. The soft blue of her eyes met the determined green of his. “Lily, lass. My sweet lass. My fair Lily. Will you marry me?”
“Of course I will. I love you so much, Ewan. I’m so relieved. I thought you’d never ask me straight out. I was afraid you’d return to Scotland and leave me behind.”
“Och, I’d never do that.” He kissed her on the mouth, determined to take gentle possession of her heart and soul. He didn’t hold back either, needing Lily to know that he was hers forever, that he treasured her and couldn’t exist without her.
“Am I dreaming? Or did I just feel the earth move?” Lily whispered, her eyes closed and lips swollen with passion.
“Bollix, I felt it too.” The windows began to rattle. “Those missing crates of explosives!”
Lily gasped, and her gaze turned anguished. His arms were still around her, so he felt the violent shudder that ran through her body. “Lass, it’s all right.”
“No, it isn’t. The Royal Society!” She let out a heaving sob. “He’s destroyed it.”
***
Ewan was in his unrepentant, dominant Scottish male baboon temper once again, holding Lily back when she sought to leave Lady Finchley’s townhouse. “You don’t understand! The Society’s library—”
“Lass, ye’re to stay close to your-r-r par-r-rents.” Though he was spouting orders in full Highlander brogue and rolling his r’s, Lily knew by his expression that he was exasperated and concerned. He wasn’t angry with her. After all, he couldn’t be angry with her for wanting to save the precious books and artifacts on display within the Royal Society’s imposing halls.
Or had Ashton’s father blown up only the building’s new wing, the one to be named after Ewan’s grandfather? His grandfather’s birthday celebration had been scheduled to take place there next week. “Don’t leave yer-r-r father’s side. I’ll see what’s happened.”
She shot him an indignant scowl. “You just promised never to leave my side.”
“I’m only trying to protect you.” He kissed her on the lips with hot determination, one of those divine Ewan kisses filled with hunger and longing that spoke to her heart and turned her legs to jelly. No doubt, he’d kissed her to stop her protests.
Well, it wasn’t going to work. “I’m going with you.”
He clenched his teeth. “No, the place may be on fire. Ashton’s father—”
“All the more reason why I should be with you. More important, I know which books and artifacts are valuable. We may yet be able to save some of them. There’s a private room filled with ancient maps and manuscripts.”
“Where?”