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“You should have talked to me first.” A mother’s worry all over her.
A humourless side-smile sketched on his masculine lips. “The answer was clear without asking.”
“I am his mother and I decide what is best for him.”
At that, his fists rested on his tapered hips. “As his father, I have precedence over you.”
Indignation creased her delicate brows and narrowed her beautiful eyes. “More’s the pity.” Her tone transformed in obstinacy. “We are leaving tomorrow.”
His large hand raked his chestnut hair as he gave her his back. Did she think he would let her go when he had just found her? With his heir, moreover. “No, you are not!” He edited turning to her again.
She did not flinch at his incensed glare. “Want me to sneak out in the middle of the night for the second time?” Defiance washed her every move.
Bunched arms crossed over steel chest. “There will be people watching this time.” He devolved. “I learned from past mistakes, you know.” Disdain added to his stance.
“These things are always manageable.” Not a false reasoning, he recognised.
“Ewan stays.” The irreducible ultimatum hung in the air between them.
Those hazel eyes bulged with emotions hard to name. He saw worry. He saw fury. And terror. Depthless, naked terror. Did she imagine he would mistreat his own son? She and Drostan met years ago. In fairs and festivals. They counted a long betrothal, spent one year married. She should understand him by now.
As her feminine jaw dropped and her nervous head shook from one side to the other, he hardened on his decision. “He needs a proper upbringing. An education.” His diamond voice reiterated.
“I can give it.” Her soft voice came out gritted.
“With what books? I could hardly find a piece of paper and pencil in your stolen cottage.”
She tossed her long auburn tress back in a gesture he remembered as tense. “You will lend them, I expect.” The McKendrick library rivalled any of the highest British nobility.
“Ewan stays, I said.” When her dainty hand flew to her brow, it trembled. His eyes narrowed on it. “What is it, Freya?” The question husky.
Her stare snapped to him, and she took a long time to talk. “I mean to take Ewan from here.” Despite her clear tension, her tone spelt determination. And it did not provide a clear reply. She never did, come to that.
His nostrils expelled impatient air. “Look, let us find a compromise. If you want distance from me, alright.” The idea ate at him, a voracious rodent at his guts. “But I will find a better cottage and supply you and Ewan with a decent living.” He would make sure the cottage was easily accessible, including the possibility of checking on them regularly.
Hands clasped, they rested on her worried chin, face bent down in long deliberation. He waited. This was as far as he would go.
She lifted her head, eyes clear and decided. “Tomorrow.”
This would cut it close. And gave him no time to gain her over or change her mind…on everything.
Curtly, he nodded at last. “Tomorrow.” He paused. “I will accompany you.” And just like that she would slip away for the second time.
Another worried look passed by her eyes, but she said nothing as a faint smile pulled her full lips.
Even this almost non-smile beguiled him. He had not seen her in a light mood since…well…since he found her in that derelict place so below her rank.
It had the power to change the mood though. He kept his attention on her as much as she did on him. The fireplace roared with a cosy light flicking on her in the silent night. She drew her shawl closer as if a shiver ran through her.
The want of her he had been holding at bay for the length of their conversation emerged full force. He did not resist it. What was the point? She would leave in a question of hours.
A few long strides and he stood inches from his wife, inhaling quality soap and woman. He took her shoulders and pulled her to him.
She did
not oppose resistance. On the contrary, her pupils dilated and her breath hitched.
His, in contrast, accelerated with the heatwave of arousal it preceded. “Spend the night with me.” He rasped hotly, unable to smother the near-desperation coursing through him with her imminent departure.
