Page 15 of Scandal with a Sinful Scot

He tossed the grooming tools into a nearby bucket. “I’m not the same man.”

“Fair enough. I’m not the same woman.”

He removed his coat from the hook and slipped it on. “Do you mind if we take a walk? I think it best I not take you to the house today. There would be too many questions. Julian and my father are in residence. And before you become indignant, I’m not ashamed of our past association.”

Abbie fell into step with him as they exited the stables. “Truly? For your parting words relayed the complete opposite.” He frowned and did not answer. Infuriating man. “Last night as I lay awake well into the early hours of the morning, I recalled your recent statement: ‘I never said I didn’t love you.’ But you did say it. Allow me to remind you again that you said the actual words.”

Garrett blew out an exasperated breath. “I lied about a number of things when we parted that summer.” He paused. “I didn’t sleep much last night either. And if I recall, all those years ago, your parting shot was, ‘I hate you.’ We both said things we didn’t mean, unless you did mean it.”

The fact that he admitted he’d lied angered her afresh, but she had known it all along. “I did mean it. I hated you for a long time after we had separated. You hurt me. Very deeply. A permanent scar,” she replied angrily. Abbie stopped walking and briefly laid her hand on his arm. Muscles clenched under her touch. “Oh, Garrett. Why would you lie?” she whispered.

He turned to face her. “To be blunt, I wanted you out of my life. You were a distraction that I did not want or need. You were a threat to my future. To my plans.” He shook his head. “Believe it or not, I am sorry I hurt you. I could have cut it clean between us in a more compassionate manner.”

Abbie did not expect this honesty, and her expression softened as she stared into his beautiful hazel-green eyes. “Thank you for apologizing.”

Grasping her elbow, he steered her toward the rear of the hall. “We can talk privately in the orangery.” He pulled a small ring of keys from his coat pocket and unlocked the door. Heat from the wood stoves hit her immediately, along with the scent of various citrus plants and trees. Garrett closed the door. “Why are you here?” he asked pointedly. “Why, Abbie? Tell me.”

“I would have happily continued on with my quiet life. I had effectively packed away all memories and emotions as far as you are concerned…”

“Obviously, since you married. How soon after we parted?” His tone was rough with emotion, his gaze penetrating.

Abbie glared at him. “You have no right to sound indignant. You tossed me away. Remember?”

Garrett stepped closer and his masculine scent made her dizzy. “How. Soon.”

“Two months after I returned home.” She’d had no choice. It was either marry Elwyn or shame her family with her scandalous affair and be turned out into the streets. “An arranged marriage.”

His thick eyebrows shot up. “Arranged? So you were miserable then.”

“No,” she answered softly. “I adored him.”

Garrett flinched as if she’d struck him, but quickly regained his cool composure. “Did you have children?”

Here would be the perfect opportunity to bring up Megan’s existence, but she wanted to introduce Garrett to her first. Or would the shock be too great? Perhaps she should tell him. No, they had much to sort out first. She carefully crafted her reply so that it would not be a complete lie. “I had no children with my husband.”

“You saw me in Standon. Why didn’t you approach me at the sanatorium?”

Abbie clasped her gloved hands. “By the time I recovered from the shock of seeing you, you had already departed. My late husband was a doctor; he started the clinic. His friend, Dr. Bevan, took over after he passed.” She met his gaze once again. Garrett’s eyes danced with green fire, his freckled cheeks flushed with emotion. She understood his reaction, for it took all her inner strength to make certain her voice did not tremble as she spoke. “Allow me to offer my sympathies regarding your nephew. I volunteer at the clinic, and I assisted with his care before I departed to come here.”

With two quick strides, Garrett grasped her upper arms. “Tell me about Aidan. Tell me everything. How bad is it?”

Worry and concern were clear in his eyes. Abbie would tell him the truth. “Bad. He was going through the worst of the withdrawal before I left the village. I offered to stay, but Gethin and Cristyn thought it best that they be the ones to be the main caregivers. I fetched fresh water, cloths, broth, whatever they asked, but I was not in the room after the first few days.” She sighed. “I heard the screams. Tormented dreams, Cristyn said. Pain. It is a terrible thing to come off such poison. Gethin was right to send you home. You would not have wanted to witness it.”

Garrett released her and started to pace about. He always did it when agitated. Nothing had changed there. “You’ve seen others in this condition? Did they recover?”

“Yes. The vast majority have stayed off the opium. I have great hopes for Aidan. He is a Wollstonecraft, after all. He will come through this, I’m certain.”

He stopped walking. “Could you tell Julian this before you leave? He’s taking it rather hard.”

“Your brother?” She remembered him from the dinner. He was thirteen years older than Garrett. Had a different mother. Abbie had found him imperious and standoffish all those years ago, yet Alberta held him in high regard. “Of course, if you wish it.”

“How long are you staying?”

“It hasn’t been decided yet.”

Garrett started pacing again. “Nothing has changed. Regardless of past regrets and past lies, I still believe in the curse and still believe it best to stay clear of any romantic entanglements. I’ve managed to achieve it thus far. If you came here to see if there is still something between us, you’ve made a wasted trip.”

Blast this inflexible man! She should have known he still held to the curse. Stubborn as ever. “Alberta informed me that Riordan was married at the hall mere weeks ago. Apparently he is not as committed as you are to an old family tale of woe.”