He inhaled deeply and, after a pause, let the breath out. “Aye, of course.”
Such an obvious lie.
She took another step closer. “This is the first time the Frasers have seen Deidra?”
“Aye. I invited them to Strathwick when she was a wean, but they would not come.”
“Why?”
“They think I’m responsible for their daughter’s death.”
“Surely not,” Rose said, aghast, unable to believe anyone would think such a thing about him. Her death must have occurred in some situation in which he could not have saved her—difficult for a man like him to live with, surely.
When he didn’t respond, she asked diffidently, “Do you miss her? Your wife?”
“I hardly knew her.”
“How did she die?”
“In childbirth.” His voice was cool, emotionless.
“Oh.” Rose bit her lip and tried again to draw him out. “Are you troubled about Deidra?”
He remained silent. She probably should not have reminded him of what had happened on the moor. He was obviously angry with her. Her heart sank, and she cursed herself again for her stupid mistake.
She started to turn away when he said, his voice no longer cold but thick with repressed betrayal, “I cannot believe he didn’t tell me. That he thought to keep it a secret. I still can’t look at him without wanting to choke him.”
Rose closed the distance between them and sat beside him on the bench. “Forgive me. It was so thoughtless of me to blurt that out.”
“No, I’m glad you did.”
“Did he tell you why he kept it from you?”
“Aye. Deidra only recently discovered she was an animal charmer—within the past year. Drake was with her the first time it happened. Considering the witch hunts and what is happening in the village…well, he thought he should wait a bit, until everything died down.”
“He did it because he loves you.”
Strathwick glowered into the dark. “He is an ass.”
Rose sighed and looked down at the stone floor. “He hates me.”
“He doesn’t hate you.”
Rose looked up at his profile in the dim light. So strong and handsome, yet so remote. Dark brows shadowed his eyes, his nose was blade straight over full lips, his jaw flexed with some internal tension.
“You’re worried about Deidra.”
“Aye, it was danger enough for her, being my spawn. But now she’s a monster, too.”
“She’snota monster.”
“Of course not. But think you anyone else will see that?”
Rose looked down at her hands, fingers twisted together in her lap. “This is why Drake didn’t tell you, you know. He wished to spare you this worry.”
Strathwick grunted dubiously, then bit out, “It’s not his place.”
“Someone must help you with this burden.”
