Page 66 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

"Can you have your men go to Kincreag and see if she returned home?"

"Nay, because then your brothers will come for you. You must stay here until we sort out everything."

"If Freya shows up there without me, my brothers will think I'm dead."

"Aye, well, you could've died if I hadn't fished you out of the sea. 'Twas your decision to be reckless and leave Kincreag alone."

"If I had stayed home, the selkies I freed would still be in the earl's clutches!"

"True, but you could've traveled with a guard or one of your brothers."

She shook her head. "They would not have believed me or allowed it. Now, they will search for me and be angry with you for not sending me home."

He shrugged. "Cannot be helped. I get on well with William. If all your memories have returned, that means you remember me and our past... association."

Unable to look him in the eye, she nodded. She needed to give him a massive apology, but she could never adequately voice the depth of her regret.

Gathering her courage, she lifted her gaze to find his tormented one on her. "Aye, and I'm sorry."

"Sorry?" he snapped. He frowned darkly, as if her simple apology offended him.

"I ken you'll never forgive me, and I accept that. I deserve your hatred, but you must know I did it because Wilona MacRae threatened to murder you."

He scoffed. "Indeed? Well, she hasn't killed me yet. How long did you stay with Talnaroch?"

"What does it matter?"

"A fortnight? A month?"

Her memory blurry, she frowned. "One... or two nights."

He glowered as if she were insane. "Why?" The word blasted from his mouth. "Why did you destroy everything we had for one or two damned nights swiving the whoreson? Did you leave him when you discovered he's nay as wealthy as you thought?"

His words mortified her and made her sick to her stomach. "Nay, 'twas long before that!"

"Did he ask for your hand?"

Blast! She had decided not to lie, but if she answered with the truth, he would despise her all the more. What difference did it make? For her own peace of mind, for her own atonement, she must speak the truth.

"A few days ago," she said.

"Why did he wait so long?"

She shrugged. "I have nay inkling."

"Did you refuse him?"

She bit her lip. Standing resolute, she shook her head.

Brodie cursed. "Explain everything."

He had no right to order her around. Their bond had been severed beyond repair.

"'Tis nay your concern!" she said, fire igniting within her chest. "You hate me no matter what I say! There is naught else I must explain to you. I've told you all I ken about the selkie abductions, and I'm done here. I'm going home. Have no worries; I'll find Freya myself." She strode toward the door.

Brodie spun to block the exit. "I would never permit you to travel that far alone." His jaw clenched hard, and his teeth grated together. "Answer me this: are you betrothed to Talnaroch?"

"Against my will!"