The Highlander's Lass; Arran's Story

Chapter 10 Arran

I stood in front of Maisie's door. Anxiety suddenly filled my body. I had been standing at the door for almost ten minutes. Trying to work up the courage to knock on her door. To tell Maisie how I feel about her. I knew that I only knew this woman for a day, but it felt like I already knew her for a lifetime. And I wanted to know more, I wanted to know everything about Margaret Hamilton. Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the wood. It echoed against the stone hallway. I hoped that Maisie was still awake, and not asleep. I honestly did not think I could sleep with this on my mind. I heard some rustling behind the door, slowly the door opened. Maisie's head appeared in the doorway.

"Arran! What are ye doing at my door? Tis late," she said softly. Her flaming red hair was framing her face. Her face glowed in the torchlight of the hallway.

"I know, and I apologize. This could not wait til morning. I must speak with ye, Maisie," I said. She sighed and nodded, opening the door wider so I could open it. I looked around her chambers. These were the same chambers that Davina resided in when she first arrived here at the castle. It had not really changed, except for a few tapestries that Davina had hung in the room. I went over to warm myself by the fire as Maisie shut the door. The moment the door shut, I looked up and felt myself groan inwardly. Maisie was in nothing but a night shift, that was almost transparent. Her hair was hanging in flaming curls to her waist. The shift had fallen slightly off one shoulder. Her skin almost glowed in the firelight. She looked so alluring at that moment. All I wanted to do was throw on the bed and ravish her. Show her every pleasure a man can give. But I knew I had to do right by her and propose to her. She saw the way I was looking at her, and she crossed her arms against her chest. To hide her breasts from me. Blush creeping into her cheeks.

"What do ye wish to speak about Arran? Or are ye just here to stare at me," Maisie asked coyly. I turned to face her fully, slipping my hand into my kilt. Pulling out the ring I had chosen for this occasion. The ring I thought would best suit her. She saw the ring in my hand, and I saw her eyes go wide. Knowing what I was about to do.

"Margaret Hamilton, the moment I laid my eyes on ye in the courtyard. I was completely taken by ye. Ye have shown me such courage, and just how strong ye are. Ye are so beautiful, that I liken ye to an angel from Heaven. I have fallen completely in love with ye. I know we do not know one another well, and we have only known one another for a day or so. But I wish ye to become my wife. Will you do me the honors of becoming my wife," I said. She moved toward me, her eyes shining with unshed tears. I could not tell if they were tears of joy or if they were tears of sadness. I prayed for the latter, that she would accept this proposal.

"Sir Arran Wallace, there is not a moment that my thoughts do not stray from ye. Ye have consumed my dreams since yesterday in the courtyard. The moment ye kissed me in the garden, the moment ye touched me tonight. Was the moment that I knew I loved ye too. That ye are the man I wish to be with. The one my heart has been waiting for. And there is nothing more I want than to be your wife and lover. But ye have to know the danger, my father will kill ye, he will kill your entire family. Declare war with your Clan," she said hoarsely. I stepped closer to her. Our bodies are just inches from one another. I grabbed both her hands. Kissing them both.

"Do not fight this Maisie, ye can feel the electricity the moment we touch. The way I kiss ye, the way I touch ye. I can protect ye, my clan can protect your clan. Your father will have no power over me. Ye deserve to be loved, to be cherished like the angel ye are. Please marry me," I said hoarsely. I knew that was unmanly to beg, but I would follow this woman into hell. If that meant it would be mine. She closed the space between us. Our faces are mere inches apart. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, I saw nothing but love and lust in those beautiful green eyes.