Page 81 of A Rogue in Twilight

“Why did you not tell me?” And why, she suddenly thought, had her intuition not told her? Love had befuddled her. That was why.

“I would not know a fairy from a fishwife. And you repeatedly refused my offer. So no explanation seemed necessary.”

“I had my reasons for refusing,” she said, looking away.

“And I had mine for asking,” he whispered, standing so close that Elspeth tilted back her head, feeling he might kiss her, wanting it. When he touched his nose to hers, questing, she sighed and accepted his kiss, her hand curling in his, her knees gone weak. Then she toughened and pushed him away.

“There are people in the next room,” she said.

“Let them come in. They will witness me proposing to you—again.” His face was so close, his breath soft on her cheek. She sighed, closed her eyes.

Then opened them in a renewed glare. “I trusted you.”

“And you can. Know this, Elspeth. I would trust you with my life,” he said, then sighed. “I love you, do you not see it? This has happened so quickly, but I feel sure of it now. And it is not in my nature to say such things. But I love you, all of you, fairy or not fairy. It is as if a kind of magic has come over me.”

Her breath caught. She wanted to throw herself into his arms. She nodded. “It has been very quick, aye. I feel the same. But there is something I must tell you.”

“What is that?”

She drew a breath. “My mother was a fairy. Or so my grandfather insists.”

“Good God,” he said.

A knock sounded on the other side of the open door. Elspeth leaped, startled. James scowled. “Who is it?” he asked in a gruff tone.

“Fiona and Patrick. The rest of them went out to the garden. May we come in?”

Sighing, he pulled the door open and stepped out. Elspeth came out too, smoothing her gown, tucking strands of hair into place. James waved his siblings inside and shut the door.

“Now,” Patrick said, “what’s the kerfuffle here? Aunt Rankin went up to her room, afraid vindictive fairy sorts are lying in wait for her outside. Charlotte dragged Philip with her, fuming over you leaving with Miss MacArthur. And the two of you have been in here whispering rather loudly.”

Elspeth stood by, silent, hands folded, cheeks blazing.

“We have much to discuss, Miss MacArthur and I,” James said.

Fiona turned. “Miss MacArthur, this may sound absurd, and I apologize, but I must ask. Are there any rumors of fairy blood in your family?”

Elspeth lifted her chin. “I believe so.”

“Quite possibly,” James said, and ran a hand through his hair as if flustered.

“Excellent! James, you found her!”

“Found me,” Elspeth repeated stiffly. “Good for you, sir.”

He leaned against his desk. “You may as well know that Miss MacArthur is just finding out about this…fairy requirement. And she is not happy with me over it.”

“When fairies are angered, they are not cooperative,” Elspeth snapped. “What is the requirement? Is there more?”

“Our grandmother’s will requires each of us to find and marry someone of fairy blood,” Fiona said. “Grandmother wanted to restore the fairy legacy to our family line.”

“Otherwise, none of us can inherit,” Patrick said, “And Lord Eldin gets it all.”

“Oh dear,” Elspeth said.

“Exactly,” James said. “Now you know.”

Stunned, she stared at the three of them. “Perhaps Lady Struan wanted to change your minds about theDaoine Síth, knowing you might not believe without evidence.”