The Heart of Love (The Book of Love #9) - Meara Platt Page 0,2

topple on ye and squash ye like a bug if ye ever tried to lift me.”

“But Robbie, you fell, and now your arm is bleeding.”

“I’ve suffered worse. Ye’re the one my pawky friends hurt. Is yer head still spinning?”

She nodded. “How did you know?”

“I can see it in yer eyes.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck because she was indeed feeling a little woozy. Or was it giddy? She could lie to herself and blame it on the pouch hitting her face. Or she could admit the truth she’d always dreaded. There was something about this big Scot that always made her head spin.

And now he was back after being away for months.

She squeezed her arms tightly around him and hoped he would not mistake it for a hug. Perhaps it was a hug.

She was glad to have him back.

She’d missed him.

“My little pixie,” he whispered, kissing the top of her head. “I missed ye, too.”

She wanted to cry.

Why did he have to come back today of all days? She was about to make her first formal appearance beside her betrothed. She and the Marquess of Tilbury would soon be married, and she would be a marchioness.

This was her dream.

This had always been her heart’s desire. Ever since she was a little girl, she had always said she would grow up and marry a marquess, be a fine lady, and live in a fine house.

But Robbie had returned, bringing with him The Book of Love.

Was he about to shatter her childhood dreams?

Chapter Two

Robert MacLauren did not want to be back in London. He did not want to be holding Heather Farthingale in his arms…well, he did…but that was the problem. The innocent touch of his lips to her brow had wreaked silent havoc with his heart.

He had missed his little pixie desperately, and now that he was back, he did not know if he had the strength to let her go.

But he would have to, no matter how badly it broke his heart.

They were so wrong for each other.

Bollocks. Listen to him, talking to himself as though he had some claim on her when she was already betrothed and would soon marry.

And yet, was it a coincidence that having returned a mere week ago, he’d seen Heather twice and managed to have her in his arms each time? The first was when he’d caught her running out of her sister’s house in tears only a few days ago. She’d been overset and not watching where she was going. He’d hauled her to safety after she’d almost run straight into a swiftly moving carriage.

Fortunately, she’d suffered nothing more than a lightly sprained ankle that was now healed, and just in time for her to open the dance with her betrothed, the Marquess of Tilbury, at his grand ball.

“I slipped out through the kitchen,” Heather said, nestling her head on his shoulder as though it was the most natural thing to do, as though she belonged in his embrace. “We should return that way. All the other doors will still be locked.”

“All right, lass.” Her soft breath tickled his throat, and her rosebud lips were so close, he had only to dip his head to capture them in the proper kiss he ached to give her.

It would never happen.

She was betrothed to another.

He was happy for her. Indeed, she was a wonderful girl and deserved no less.

But less is what he was, for what could he offer her? The life of a Scottish captain’s wife? To be taken away from all her loved ones to live in the Highlands, for that is where his home was, in Caithness. It may as well have been in the mountains on the moon for all the chance she’d ever have of seeing her sisters and the rest of her beloved family again.

He couldn’t even hate the man she would soon marry, for the Marquess of Tilbury was a decent fellow and would treat Heather well. She deserved to be a fine lady. She would be an asset to him and a welcome addition to the ton, for she had a good, sweet heart and would use her position to help those less fortunate.

What could she do up in Caithness?

Not even he had a place there. His elder brother, Malcolm, was heir to the Earl of Caithness. He was merely fourth in line now that Malcolm had sons.

“Heather, why are there no servants stirring yet?” He was surprised to find they had the kitchen all to