Chapter Nineteen

Irene twisted away from Logan and fled from the Great Hall, racing up the stairs to the balcony. It was a setup. Logan was someone the matchmakers must have planned for her all along. But how could they know there’d be an attraction? Were the sisters that good? More importantly, why was she so resistant? And why had she run away?

After all, the fantasy would be over in the morning, and things would be back to normal. Pretense. Fantasy. Make believe. Wasn’t that what life was about anyway? If you knew that the person you loved had flaws, you ignored them. If your friends or family brought those flaws to your attention, you either said the guy you were dating had changed or he was working on his issues—or you got new friends.

The illusion of perfection. That had been the way she’d dealt with her relationship with Chad.

Almost from the beginning she’d realized they hadn’t been right for each other. And the more her friends and family highlighted his flaws, the more she dug in and defended him. She developed the philosophy that the best way to sustain a relationship was never to look too closely at the person you were with.

And then there was Logan. There had to be something wrong with him. No one was perfect.

When she reached the balcony, she peered over the waist-high ledge and removed her headdress and hair clips, leaving only a ribbon to control her long hair. From her vantage point, she could see that the celebrations in the Great Hall were continuing in full swing. Caitlin had volunteered to participate in the kissing game, while Angus stood on the sidelines, arms folded across his chest, and frowned in disapproval. A twelve-foot fir tree had been brought in, and although it would be centuries before ornaments and candles were added, its appearance added Christmas joy. A fiddler played a lively tune, which had led to impromptu dancing. Grant had coaxed Julia into a circle of dancers.

Sean and Ann stood hand in hand, shoulders touching, as they swayed in time to the music. Even if you didn’t know them, you could tell they cared deeply for each other. What would it be like to share that type of for-ever-after kind of love with another person?

Arms resting on the ledge, Irene’s thoughts drifted with the laughter. She knew her mother had cared for her stepfather. They were comfortable with each other, her mother had once said. Was that enough? Was that what she should be looking for in a man? Maybe forego all the thrill and excitement of love and settle for comfortable? Mother, what secrets are you hiding?

“I was looking for you.”

Startled, Irene let her veil slip from her grasp as she turned toward him. “Logan.”

His gaze followed the path of her headdress as it floated down into the Great Hall. “I could get it for you.”

Her lips still felt warm from the kiss they’d shared. What must he think of her running away? Feeling self-conscious, she laughed nervously. “I can retrieve it later.”

He gave a curt nod. “You let your hair down.”

She laughed again. “I suppose I did.” Seconds ticked by. He stood as though rooted to the ground. He was tall, straight, and as solid as an oak. A man you could depend on. A man you could build a life with. “I wonder what he does for fun.” She thought she’d said it to herself, but when his head jerked toward her with a smile, she realized she’d voiced her thoughts aloud.

His gaze warmed. “I play rugby. But my father says I need a hobby that doesn’t include broken bones and bruised ribs. How about you?”

Irene bit back a smile. “No time. I work. Of late, I’ve been thinking I should rethink that philosophy. It’s time I found a hobby, too.” She brushed her fingers over the seams on the stone ledge. “Our kiss…”

He moved in closer and covered her hand with his. “I had the advantage. I’ve wanted to kiss you since I first saw you move to defend the waitress in the café from the bottom feeders who were harassing her. You were fearless.”

The compliment was sincere. She could tell it in his gaze. People had said good things about her over the years: hard worker, efficient, organized. Never fearless. She liked the possibility that she’d tapped into a new strength. Was it this place? Stirling Castle was so far removed from her life in the States and who she was that it felt like she had the chance to become the person she’d always wanted to be.

Her pulse quickened until she could feel it vibrate through her. Out of breath, she lifted her head until their gazes locked. Instinctively she knew Logan wouldn’t make the first move to kiss her. He stood waiting as though he could wait for an eternity.

In the background, music and laughter defined the boundaries of the room while the promise of love beat around her. She moved to meet him as he bent toward her, closing the distance.

Their lips parted and touched.

If the first kiss they’d shared was the spark of awakening, the second was an explosion. Her world spun in all directions at the same time as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He gathered her against him and deepened the kiss.