Jamie’s foul mood carried over to the morning. Arrogant arse that he was, he’d never anticipated Leana might actually refuse his offer of marriage.

After his proposal, she’d expressed a desire to leave Castle MacArron. He’d summoned Rory to his study. His brother could see to her departure. Jamie didn’t have the patience to deal with the trivial details. The gut-punch she’d delivered the night before had nothing to do with it. Or did it?

Rory flashed a scowl to match his own. “I’ve got better things to do than help ye make the worst mistake of yer bluidy life.”

“What in the name of Robert the Bruce are ye talking about?”

“Ye canna let the lass go. Ye’re a damned fool if ye do.”

Jamie stalked around the desk. “Ye’re an insolent arse. Ye know that, don’t ye?”

“Aye. It’s a family trait.” Rory settled into a chair and stared up at Jamie. “So, what are ye goin’ to do about this?”

“Damned if I know.” Jamie prowled over to the window and stared out at the coastal sea. “Why do women have to be so blasted difficult?”

His brother smiled. “I think a better question is, why do ye have to be an arse? Did ye think the lass would dance a jig when ye asked her?”

“I might’ve expected some show of happiness.”

“Did ye tell her ye love her?”

Jamie shot him another scowl. “Have ye been spendin’ yer time reading poetry to impress the shopkeeper’s daughter?”

Rory pinned him with a gaze, wise beyond his years. “Well, did ye? Did ye tell her the truth?”

“I did not say it. She should know—”

“Bah.” Rory dismissed his excuse. “Ye’ve got to tell her.”

A commotion in the corridor leading from the main entry drew their attention. Mrs. Davidson and Mrs. Taylor were shrieking, “Stop!” in near unison.

What the hell is going on?

Rory rushed to the door as Mrs. Davidson appeared at the entry. Standing very still, the housekeeper wrung her hands in a knot.

“Captain, there are men here to see ye.” She twisted her hands again. “We tried to stop them, but they would not—”

A tall, wiry man with features best described as ordinary pushed past her. His mouth thinned as he brushed a speck of dirt from his well-tailored suit. A mountain of a man in a shabby jacket followed close on his heels—hired muscle, most likely, given the disparity in the quality of their clothing and the flinty look in the big man’s eyes.

The wiry man fixed Jamie with a narrow-eyed gaze. “Captain MacArron, I understand you are harboring a thief.”

“What is the meaning of this—barging into my home uninvited, making mad accusations?”

“I assure you, there is nothing mad about my complaint. You have a woman under your roof…she goes by Leana Fraser.”

Leana slipped past the women who gaped at the scene from the hallway. Facing her accuser, she hiked her chin and squared her shoulders. “That is my name. There’s nothing suspicious there.”

Jamie stood toe to toe with the intruder. “Identify yerself before I toss ye out on yer arse.”

Contempt blazed in the man’s pale eyes. “I will have you know you are addressing the Earl of Gilford.”

“I dinna give a damn if I’m talkin’ to the ghost of Robert the Bruce.”

“I speak the truth. This woman is a thief. My hired investigator tracked her here. She was in my employ.” Gilford pointed to a recently healed cut on his temple. “Until she accosted me and made off with a prized heirloom.”

“I presume you mean this.” Leana pulled a jeweled dagger from her skirt pocket. “I’d intended to return it. I only took it to defend myself…from you.”

“Liar,” the man spat out.

Leana’s cool gaze was seasoned with contempt. “I assure you, I am not lying. Consider yourself lucky I did not put it to good use. If I had, you might never again be able to assault a woman.”

Jamie’s hands clenched into fists. “Assault a lass?”

“Yes,” she said, stepping away from the earl. “I served as a companion to Lord Gilford’s daughter. She grew to be a fine young lady, despite having this cur as her sire. When she no longer had need of a chaperone, Lord Gilford offered to keep me on as his assistant. He failed to explain his view of my duties. One night, after he shoved my skirts up and made his intentions quite clear, I shattered a vase—hopefully, a very expensive one—over his thick skull. And then I fled. I took this dagger in case he or one of his hired men came after me.”

Rage filled Jamie’s veins. Suddenly, everything made sense. Leana had been desperate to get away—so desperate she’d forged a reference to secure a position in a place far from the city, far from this cowardly scoundrel who’d tried to hurt her.

“Is this true?” Jamie pinned Gilford with his gaze.

“You’re going to consider the word of a liar and a thief? Bloody fool.” Gilford shifted on his feet, his mouth working nervously.

Jamie turned to Leana. “Give it to me…give me the dagger.”

“I did not intend to keep it,” she said softly, her eyes wide with sadness.

“I believe ye, lass.” He took the knife from her hand and examined it, then shifted his attention to Gilford. “Do ye care to tell me why a calculating thief would steal a worthless piece of metal?”

“Worthless? I’ll have you know—”

“I’ve seen lads with more well-crafted knives.” He slammed the emerald-tipped hilt against a stone in the hearth. The gem crumbled to bits. “It’s paste. As for the rest of it, it’s flimsy as they come.” To illustrate his point, he placed the dagger on the hearth, set his boot heel on the hilt, and bent it in half. “I’d be willing to reimburse ye the pence or two this cost.”

“Uncouth vermin.” Hatred simmered in Gilford’s low tones. “The woman will face justice.” He turned to the big man. “Paulson, get her to the carriage.”

Rory stepped in front of Leana. “You’ll have to get through me first.”

“And me.” Jamie brushed past Gilford as he went to Leana.

Paulson slanted Jamie a glance as he slunk to the door. “I dinna want any trouble. I dinna know…he was comin’ after a woman.”

“Woman? She’s a thieving shrew.” Gilford lunged for Leana. His hand clamped over her arm. “You’re coming with me.”

Jamie had seen and heard enough.

He drew back his fist. With one punch to the gut, he dropped the earl to his knees. “Ye were saying, Lord Gilford?”

The coward struggled for breath. “You…you will pay for this.”

“Ye think so?” Jamie’s fingers curled around Gilford’s pressed collar and hauled him nearly off his feet. “If ye dare to come near her, or any of my kin, you will regret it. The Devil of the Highlands does not take kindly to threats. Mark my words—I protect those I love.”

He dragged the whey-faced blackguard to the door. “Rory, see that he makes it to his carriage. If he gives ye any trouble, let know him know how a Highlander deals with his kind.”

Leana rubbed her arm, as if doing so would wipe away the feel of Gilford’s touch. Jamie turned to her, his eyes dark with emotion she could not read. His attention shifted to the women who’d watched the scene unfold with wide, curious eyes.

“Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Davidson, if the two of ye would see to my daughters. I have matters to discuss with Miss Fraser—matters which require privacy.”

Leana’s heart stuttered as the women quickly agreed and scurried away. Jamie quietly closed the door behind them.

He turned to her.

Her stomach did a little somersault, and she pulled in a long, calming breath. She couldn’t look away from his gaze. Something in the depths of his expression and the sensuous tilt of his mouth intrigued her beyond all reason.

She swallowed hard against a sudden wave of nerves. This wasn’t the way she’d expected this day to go. Not at all.

He came to her, his boots tapping softly against the floor. “Why didn’t ye tell me the bastard hurt ye?”

“Would you have believed me?”

He nodded, his expression grave and so very handsome, he threatened to take her breath away. “I should never have doubted ye.”

“Thank you,” she said softly.

“There is one thing ye must know.” He cupped her cheek against his palm, tracing over her lower lip with the pad of his thumb.

Anticipation rippled through her. “Am I going to like this?”

“I pray ye do, my sweet Leana.” His grin stripped away what little defenses she still possessed. “The man ye’re goin’ to marry…well, the man is a bluidy dolt.”

“Is that so, Captain?”

“Aye.” He brushed his lips over her, outwardly chaste, yet a caress imbued with such tender passion, her knees wobbled. “I love ye, Leana.”

Her heartbeat thundered in her ears. Please, if this is a dream, I do not wish to awaken.

She met his eyes, reading the truth in their depths. Her heart soared.

“Do you now?” she said softly.

“More than ye could ever know. I want ye with me until I take my last breath.” He held her close, his hands gliding over her middle in a gentle caress.

He claimed her lips, tasting her, savoring her, giving and taking and delighting her with the promise in his kiss.

“Ah, Leana, I never want to let ye go. Say ye’ll be mine.” His plea was a husky murmur against her mouth.

“Oh, Jamie.” She breathed his name on a sigh as her arms curved around his broad back. “Can you have any doubt of my answer?”

A tempting smile pulled at his mouth. “I want to hear it on yer lips, Leana. Say ye’ll be my wife, darling lass.”

“Oh, Jamie, I love you so very much.” Joy filled her heart. “I will marry you.”

And with that, he kissed again. And again, until she was breathless.

“I’ll love ye with the last beat of my heart, Leana. I’ll never let ye go.”