Page 106 of The Laird’s Lost Wife

“Aye. It seems best.”

“Does it?”

“It does. And I want the truth. The truth about yer vow.”

He gave a short, harsh laugh. “Ye think ye deserve the truth now, when ye intend to abandon me? Nay, lass.”

“So ye never meant to tell me, then,” she responded tightly. “Why did ye fight so hard to hide all of this from me?”

He stayed silent for a long moment, long enough for her to think that he was not going to speak. Then, at last, he heaved a sigh, leaning back.

“I suppose I was afraid,” he murmured. “Afraid of losing ye and Willow.”

“Ye willnae lose us, Hunter. I can promise ye that. But I… I willnae be the reason that yer clan turns against ye.”

His expression tightened. “Daphne…”

“Nay. Nay more. If I stay here and talk to ye, ye will talk me out of me own head. Ye will… will confuse me.”

“Confuse ye?”

“Ye ken what I mean. And I must be clearheaded. We’re leaving. Tonight, in fact. Lady Pilbury is leaving too. Please daenae think that it’s easy, but I have decided.”

He said nothing, just stared at her.

Daphne turned back to the door. She’d just placed her hand on the handle when he spoke again.

“What about River?”

She glanced over her shoulder at him. “What about him?”

“Rhiannon says that his leg is in bad shape. Twisted and broken. Bad for an adult fox, but for a kit…” He shook his head. “The wee thing willnae survive the journey back to England until he heals. If he heals.”

A lump formed in Daphne’s throat. “Then ye had better leave River here,” she stated quietly, lifting her chin. “Leaving him here might save his life. I’ll nae sacrifice anything more because of us, Hunter.”

He pursed his lips. “Will Willow forgive ye?”

“Aye, she will. One day.”

“Will ye forgive yerself?”

There was no point in asking whether he was still talking about the fox. Daphne knew that he wasn’t.

Turning away, she slipped out into the hallway. Skye had been waiting at a reasonable distance and glanced up. She lifted her eyebrows questioningly.

“Send in the healers,” Daphne said quietly. “He’ll let them care for him now.”

Right up until the moment they climbed into the carriage, Hunter wanted so badly to believe that it wouldn’t happen.

What did ye think would happen? That she’d turn around, burst into tears, and leap into yer arms?

The last part would be difficult, because he had not gone down to see her off. He was in his study, standing at the window overlooking the courtyard. If she looked up, she’d see him.

She didn’t look up.

A handful of servants piled bags and boxes into and onto the carriage, lashing them securely. Lady Pilbury climbed into the carriage first, looking smaller than before, leaning heavily on a carved oak cane Helena had given her. Helena held her elbow, supporting her into the carriage. Her shoulders looked tense, high up under her ears.

She’s nae pleased about this.