“Malcolm, as you can see, your sister has led me down a dark path. And I, in my innocence, followed like a lamb to the slaughter.”

A tremor of a smile touched Malcolm’s mouth. “Well, Kat. What have you to say for yourself?”

Kat planted her hands on her hips. “I have nothing to say! Not a blooming thing! St. John, I will not let you get away with this. You were the one who wanted to come into my room. And you were the one who wanted to tie me up with scarves and kiss me and—”

“Scarves?” Malcolm looked stunned.

Devon just smiled.

“Who tied who up with scarves?” Malcolm demanded.

“Devon tied me up. He’s the one who—” She stopped, her brow lowering as she stared at Devon. “Wait a moment. You tricked me. You tricked me into confessing about—Oh! I see what you were—You scoundrel!”

He blinked innocently. “Me?”

“You made those outrageous allegations because you wanted me to admit to—oh!”

Devon came to stand before her, a question in his gaze. “I’m sorry I tricked you, but I thought it would be best if Malcolm knew how things stood between us.”

“Aye,” Malcolm said. “There’s no question in my mind, either. You’ll marry this man, Katherine Macdonald or I’ll see to it that ye nev—”

“No,” Devon said, taking her hand in his own. “She has a choice. I don’t want a forced bride any more than she wants a forced groom. But if she wants a willing groom, then here I am.”

Fiona gave a murmur of approval.

Kat’s throat grew tight. He knew her so well, knew her fears and her pride. “I don’t know, Devon. I don’t wish to be hurt again.”

“Love, the only way you can never hurt again is to stop living. And not even you with your stubborn pride and seven scowling giants can do that.”

Still holding her hand, he knelt before her. “Listen to me, Kat Macdonald. I want to marry you. It will stop the petty gossip that has so hurt you as well as give our sons a name. But if you cannot find it in your heart to come to me freely, then I will be content with whatever you allow. Even if I have to live in that tree beside your window until the winds blow me down, there I will go. I love you, Kat. I love you now and I will love you tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that. I will love you as long as you allow it.”

Her heart filled and swelled and threatened to overflow. “Devon…how can you be so certain?”

“I always thought I fell in and out of love far too easily. Now I realize that until now, until I met you, I’ve never loved at all.”