Kiwi Bride Series: Highland Kiss (29 page)

He folded up the newspaper
as he said, “Okay. Would you like to come for a stroll with me
after you finish breakfast?”

Ruby nodded. He lapsed
into silence as she ate her breakfast. Sometime later, as they were
strolling along the bank of the pond, Brian said, “Susan doesn’t
look happy. I need your help.”

Ruby turned her gaze from
the beautiful scenery surrounding them to look at Brian. “Oh?
What’s wrong with her?”

“
I don’t know, and this
may sound a bit odd. Ruby, but I really need your help.”

Ruby cocked her head to
one side. “My help?”

Brian nodded. “Would you
ask her what’s going on?”

Ruby licked her lips.
“Perhaps it is you, Brian? Perhaps it is you she seems so worried
about?” Ruby suggested.

Brian looked at her
seriously for a moment. “What do you mean?”

Ruby didn’t know how she
should go about explaining it. Did he not realize that Susan was
doing everything she could imagine to get him back? And that she
still loved him? That was why she, Ruby, was here, right? That was
why—

She closed her eyes as she pondered that thought. Yes, it
was because of Alec and Susan. Because Alec was willing to do
whatever his sister wanted. That was the only reason why Ruby was
there in the first place. The reality of it all didn’t sit well
with her, and she felt her stomach churn sickeningly.
But what about last night? Was it
real? How did it fit in with everything?
A tiny seed of doubt started to grow in her mind. Alec
said he loved her last night. Was that true? Or—?

“
Perhaps I am the reason.
But how could that be?” Brian said.

She frowned. “Does she
have reason to be upset with you? Or perhaps, afraid of
you?”

Brian snorted. “Afraid?
Very unlikely. Susan has never been afraid of me. Listen, Ruby,
would you mind very much talking to her?”

Ruby looked up at him, trying to ignore the thought that
Alec didn’t love her after all. Most likely, what happened last
night, and between them, was only a game so that he could draw her
away from Brian, just to save Susan from the
competition.

“
Ruby?”

“
Yes?” she replied, suddenly very aware that tears were
brewing in her eyes.

“
Are you all right,
sweetheart?” Brian asked, wiping her tears as they slid down her
cheeks.

Ruby sniffed. She couldn’t bear him calling her
sweetheart
because it reminded her of Alec, who called her
sweetheart the previous night.

“
What’s wrong? Do you miss
your family?”

Ruby caught her breath as
she thought about her family. It seemed like ages since she spoke
to them, or saw them. Suddenly, it fell apart. How could she
believe what was real here? She was only a pawn in Alec’s game. Her
world was not here. Her world remained in New Zealand with her
family. All too soon, she’d be back in Dunedin, living at home with
her family, going back to work at the dental clinic, meeting up
with Nikita and Isabella for lunch. All too soon, all that happened
here would be forgotten. All too soon, she’d never see Alec again.
All too soon, Brian would ask Susan for her hand in marriage for
the second time, and they’d actually get married.

Ruby finally admitted that
whatever happened, she didn’t belong there. She also realized she
didn’t want to get in too deep; because she didn’t want to get
hurt.

She wiped her tears and
made a low, bitter chuckle. “Sorry, Brian. I just really miss home,
that’s all.”

“
I can understand that.
This is the first time you’ve been away from there.” He pulled her
into his arms and hugged her.

She looked up at him
appreciatively. “I think, Brian, all you need to do is talk to
Susan. I know she loves you very much. She told me so. In a way,
I’m glad whatever happened, happened.” Though Brian didn’t
understand what she meant by that, deep down inside, she sincerely
meant it. She was glad that what happened did occur. She knew that
type of thing didn’t come along twice in a person’s lifetime. She
was happy that Alec won, happy that Susan got what she wanted, and
happy, too, that Brian had finally fallen in love with Susan again.
Perhaps he never really stopped loving her in the first
place.

“
Why don’t you just ask
her to marry you today?” she suggested. “Even now, this morning.
Just ask her. Confess that you still love her; and that you want
her to be your wife.”

Brian cocked his head to
one side, looking at her. “And what about you, Ruby? What of you
and Alec? Have you told your family yet?”

Ruby glanced away so he
wouldn’t see the hurt in her eyes. “I don’t know. I think I’m too
young. I mean, where is this going, anyway? Maybe it’s just a
vacation fling.”

“
I know Alec, Ruby. He
doesn’t do flings. Not this long anyhow.”

Ruby wanted to ask him how
well he knew Alec. She wondered if he knew that she was kidnapped
because of him. She kept quiet, however, and said instead, “Well,
maybe it is a fling to me. I mean it’s all chalked up to
experience, right?”

“
Ruby, what are you
saying?” Brian asked curiously.

“
So… are you going to ask
Susan, or what?” she quickly changed the subject.

“
What do you think?” he
asked.

“
I think you
should.”

“
And thanks to you,” he
chuckled.

“
Yes, thanks to me.” She
paused for a moment. “Brian, can I ask you to do me a
favor?”

“
What’s that?”

“
Can you take me back to
London tomorrow morning?”

He looked at her, visibly intrigued. “What about
Alec?”

“
I haven’t told him. I
told you already; it’s a fling. Please don’t tell him. I don’t want
him to know. Also, I’m going to meet old friends in London. I’ll be
fine,” she said hurriedly.

“
Ruby,” Brian cupped her
face gently. “What are you doing?”

She licked her lips and
managed to smile through her tears. “Saving myself and everyone
else here.”

Alec pressed his
finger against his breastbone. Again, he felt his heart pumping
loud and fast. It still ached from what he witnessed that
morning.

He tried not to think
about it because every time he did, it hurt all over
again.

He kicked Storm on the
side and the horse lurched forward, galloping off again. The faster
the thoroughbred ran, the better Alec felt. He rode the horse hard
for three hours straight until he and the horse were utterly
exhausted. By the time he headed back to Hasting Manor, the sun was
already setting. After giving the horse a good pat on the nose and
allowing Bernard to take care of him, he headed toward the
manor.

“
Alec!” Susan called out
excitedly.

Alec looked at her sister with surprise as she came running
toward him before giving him a big hug. Once she finally let go, he
gazed down at her with suspicious eyes.

“
What are you so happy
about?” he asked.

She couldn’t quit
grinning. “Alec,” she began. “Brian proposed.”

Alec could only stare at
his sister. “What?”

“
He proposed. Oh, Alec!
It’s amazing. And I have you to thank for it.” She hugged him
again, harder.

Alec couldn’t help
himself, so he chuckled. It meant what he witnessed that morning
actually signified nothing. Ruby and Brian were just talking. A
wave of relief swept over him and he laughed.

“
This is great, Susan.
Really, great. We have to celebrate.”

“
Of course. I’ve already
told Mrs. McKenzie to prepare us a fine dinner for tonight,” Susan
said as they headed into the hallway.

“
Good girl,” Alec said.
“Now, then, I need a good shower.”

“
Yes, of course you do!
You smell awful.” She chuckled.

Alec couldn’t believe it.
It had been a long time since he heard his sister laugh, and it
sounded great. He felt great, too.

“
All right, be down in a
bit,” he said as he climbed the stairs two at a time.

Feeling so good inside,
Alec whistled as he entered the master bedroom, and stopped short
when he saw Ruby there, lying on the king-sized bed, looking out
the window, and stroking Captain Snow.

The sight of her caused
his insides to spark with unparalleled pleasure.

“
Hey,” he greeted
her.

Ruby was jolted back to
reality. Looking up at him, her chest ached. She longed to hold
him, kiss him, and be with him. But she knew all that would be
impossible after tonight. Tonight would be the last night she’d
ever spend with him.

“
I’d kiss you if I didn’t
smell so bad,” he said matter-of-factly.

She wanted to reply that
he could kiss her all he wanted now because he wouldn’t get the
chance to later.

“
Then you should shower,”
she said, stroking the dog’s head. Captain Snow sighed and begged
for more by pushing his head against her hand, his tongue sticking
out.

Ruby laughed. “You remind
me of somebody.”

The blasted dog reminded
Alec of himself last night, and his pride and joy. The images that
she evoked piqued his pride and joy’s interest, and he had to turn
away lest Ruby see how aroused he already was.

She watched him go into
the bathroom, and her heart ached even more. She turned to the dog
and said, “I’m so going to miss you,” then slowly and quietly
added, “and your master.”

The dog jumped off her lap
and onto the floor. Ruby got up and followed him out the
door.

Some time later, Alec emerged from the bathroom, all clean
and fresh. He was hoping Ruby would still be around, but when he
saw she was gone, his disappointment lodged in his throat.
Damn!
He really did want to kiss her.

As he entered the dining
room, Jane handed him a glass of champagne, which he accepted,
taking a sip.

“
Finally, we’re going to
be in-laws,” Jane said teasingly. “Thank God, he proposed. If not,
I don’t know how much longer this could’ve dragged on.”

Alec couldn’t agree more. On the other side of the room, he
eyed Ruby, looking pretty as ever, talking to Brian. Though they
were a bit too close for his comfort, he reminded himself that he
had nothing to worry about. They were just friends now. Brian had
already proposed to Susan. That meant Ruby was his, and his alone.
His heart swelled with pride at that revelation. His little Ruby
was his,
all his.

He came toward her, and
she stopped talking to Brian when she saw him. Brian turned to look
at his future brother-in-law.

“
Congratulations,” Alec
said, shaking his friend's hand and giving him a manly pat on the
back.

“
Well, if it weren’t for a
certain person nagging me, I don’t know when I’d have done it,”
Brian said cheerfully, looking at Ruby.

Alec understood the
meaning of Brian’s words as well as the look he gave
Ruby.

“
Brian,” Susan called.
“Come on, dinner is ready.” She put her hands in his and led him to
the table.

Ruby watched them go. Alec
grabbed her hand and pulled her up. “Come along, my lady, time for
dinner.”

Ruby gave him a smile and
happily obeyed his order.

Ruby decided that she’d
enjoy this dinner along with her company, whether she had any
appetite or not. But she did enjoy it thoroughly. The food was
delicious and the conversation was light, although she didn’t do
much talking. She couldn’t put a word in anyway, what with Jane and
Richard monopolizing most of it. When, at long last, dinner was
over, Brian excused himself and led Susan out the door, heading
upstairs. Jane begged Richard to take her for a long drive and he
happily obliged. Alone with Alec, Ruby could feel the air sparking
like an electric current passing between them.

“
So, did you enjoy
dinner?” he asked.

“
Yes,” Ruby replied. “Do
you mind at all if I go now and read in the library?”

Alec was taken aback by
her request. “Nay, of course not. Go ahead.” Although he said words
to the contrary, he was, in actual fact, rather annoyed. He wanted
her to stay. He longed to talk to her. He was not sure what to talk
about, but he really wanted to talk to her.

“
Thanks,” she said,
getting up from her chair. “Goodnight then.” She headed out the
door. Captain Snow happened to pass her as she came into the
hallway. He yapped excitedly at seeing her. She laughed and picked
him up in her arms.

“
So you want to be my
companion for the night, eh?” she said, giving him a little pat.
“Well, you’re welcome to.”

Alec watched her and the
blasted dog disappear from view. He poured himself another glass of
champagne and downed the whole lot in one go. The bubbles burned
his throat. He sat for a wee while, contemplating what to do
next.