To her further surprise a slight smile lifted one corner of his mouth. Then he went back to his goblet and promptly ignored her.

Keeley was just about to excuse herself when Cormac returned to the hall, a dazed expression on his face. She arched an eyebrow at Mairin, who looked utterly delighted. Mairin reached under the table and squeezed Keeley’s hand.

Cormac bumped into his chair as he attempted to retake his seat. His color was heightened and his hair … looked decidedly unkempt. Mairin’s smile grew even broader.

Ewan grunted in disgust and Caelen rolled his eyes. Alaric just stared at Keeley until her cheeks warmed under his scrutiny.

“Laird, I have need to speak with you,” Cormac said in a low voice. “ ’Tis of utmost importance.”

Ewan cast a resigned look at his wife and then nodded in Cormac’s direction. “Speak then.”

Cormac cleared his throat and looked nervously around at the people still remaining at the table. Most of the men had gone on to their quarters, but Gannon, Alaric, and his brothers along with Keeley and Mairin yet remained.

“I would ask permission to seek Christina’s hand in marriage,” he blurted out.

Mairin nearly bounced out of her chair and Keeley found herself unable to hold back the smile at the other man’s stunned expression.

“I see. Have you thought this through?” Ewan asked. “Is she truly the one you would marry? And are you sure she wishes to marry you?”

“Aye. ’Tis the truth she said I wouldn’t be kissing her again until we were formally betrothed.”

At that, Keeley and Mairin could hold in their laughter no longer.

“God save us from interfering women,” Ewan muttered. “ ’Twould seem there is much matchmaking afoot in the keep. Aye, Cormac. You have my permission to speak with her father, but I’ll not have your duties disrupted. Your first duty is to see to the safety of my wife. If I find you distracted even once, I’ll dismiss you.”

“Of course, Laird. My loyalty is to you and your lady above all else,” Cormac said.

“Then prepare your speech for her father. We’ll have a priest out as soon as weather permits, and provided, of course, her father is agreeable.”

Cormac fought his grin but the relief and … happiness in his eyes made Keeley go soft all over. She swallowed back her longing and the brief surge of jealousy. She was truly happy for Christina. The young woman would be giddy when Cormac proposed.

She glanced over at Mairin to see that her excitement was mirrored in the other woman. Mairin leaned over and whispered, “We’ll have to query Christina about that kiss on the morrow.”

Keeley put a hand to her mouth to stifle the laughter. “It must have been a kiss for the ages,” she whispered back.