Page 26 of Sweet Hellion

“There is no time to explain. Do you trust me?”

She nodded. “But—”

“But nothing, Emma. It is my way or prison.”

She hesitated. “I can help.”

“Nae, lass, in this, you cannot help, and I cannot leave knowing Munro will come for you the instant I am gone.” She opened her mouth to reply and he added, “You know full well he will come, and you know what he will do to you.”

Her shoulders slumped.

“Pack immediately,” Rhys said. “When Ewan receives your missive, he will set out right away.”

She met his gaze. “Can I come with him to say goodbye?”

“As long as you are accompanied by Ewan. He will protect you with his life.”

She nodded, and his chest tightened at sight of the moisture in her eyes.

She started to turn away, and he said, “Emma.”

She paused and turned back.

“Lass, I…” He suddenly felt like a schoolboy. “I love you.”

Her eyes widened.

“I know it isn’t much,” he added in a rush, “but once I restore my honor, I will try to make you happy. If, that is, you want me.”

She took two quick steps to the bars, reached through and pulled his face toward hers. When her mouth touched his, he knew that nothing would stop him from finding the witness who could swear that Munro had deserted them on the battlefield that day.

Emma pulled back and said, “You clear your name, Rhys Macleod. I will be waiting.” She spun and walked, head held high, back to the jailer.

Rhys watched. They reached the door, and the man stood aside for Emma to precede him. She looked back in Rhys’s direction for an instant, then disappeared through the open doorway. The door creaked shut. He stared at the door. She’d said she would wait for him.

Rhys threw himself onto the mattress.