Page 47 of His Forgotten Highland Bride

“Dying? Why do you think you’re dying?”

She waved her hand to the forest. “I don’t want to believe such a thing, but I can’t eliminate the idea, for I know you can’t remarry and breed an heir with someone else as long as I’m alive. So if you came out here to rid yourself of me, I ask that you get on with it. The wondering over it grows tiring.”

“You think I came out here to murder my wife?” His eyes went wide with surprise.

“Nay, or rather, I’m not sure.” She shrugged, trying to seem courageous while facing death. “Ewan told me of your plan. To win my trust with that proposal to start fresh and find happiness together only so you can get rid of me, freeing you to marry someone of your choosing. And it’s a fact you never wanted me. So is it true?”

He looked down at the ground momentarily, cursing quietly to himself. He was a seasoned warrior who’d just returned from war. Surely, he could drop her quickly if he’d just done it already.

“He said you wish to make it look like an accident.”

“An accident…?” He shook his head. “If one of us deserves death, it’s me for what I’ve done to you. I’ve been a poor excuse for a husband and don’t deserve ye.” He rubbed his forehead and bent over, resting his hands on his knees.

She didn’t know if it was some trick or what he was after. He held out his dagger with the handle toward her. Was he offering himself to her?

Stepping away from the knife, she shook her head. “No. Not just because the whole clan would come down on me, and I’d be hanged anyway, but because I don’t want you dead.” She winced and added, “Perhaps there was a small moment when you first arrived when I may have wished it before I took it back.”

To her surprise, his mouth pulled up on one side. “You took it back?” he asked, walking closer. He sheathed his dirk.

“Aye,” she admitted. “I want to hate you, but something keeps me from doing it very well. Even now.”

“I am a lucky sot indeed.” He stopped in front of her and reached for her hand. She jumped but relaxed when it was empty. Just his palm held out, waiting.

“What do you want?” she asked.

“In truth, I came out here because you are so happy. You seem so free. I want to be with you. I really want to get to know you how I should have when we were first wed.”

He let out a breath. “I can’t go back and change anything that has already happened. I would if it were possible. But I do want you.”

He took another step and lowered his head to place a soft kiss on the corner of her lips.

“I beg you not to toy with me,” she whispered, her voice trembling. She so wanted to believe him.

“My uncle has lied to us both, Brenna. Let’s not allow him to ruin what could be between us.”

And like that, all her defenses fell and her anger fled. If Ronan were lying, she would be caught unaware, but she wouldn’t miss the opportunity to kiss him. Reaching up, she grasped his long, blond locks and pulled him to her lips, where she kissed him with all the passion that had been stored up these past years.

“Dear God,” he whispered as he lowered his mouth to the skin on her throat. “I’d only wanted a kiss, but when you do it like that, I can’t help but want more.”

His hands had lowered to her arse, where he grasped her close to him. She felt the ridge of his erection, and her head spun with his words.

He wanted her. This knowledge spurred her into action. She reached for the buckle of his belt, getting the leather tangled as she frantically tried to release him from his clothes. Stepping back just enough to reach for her trews, he fumbled with the fall.

A low growl left his lips. “I generally like seeing the curves of your arse in the tight leather, but I find myself wishing for the ease of a gown at the moment.”

She realized then what would happen if they continued down this path, and she froze.

“What is it?” he asked, staying his hands when she stilled. Then he looked around them as if only then realizing where they were. “Christ. What am I doing? I’m sorry, Brenna, truly. I didn’t mean to tup you like a randy lad in the woods. Forgive me, I got carried away.”

“I’m not so fancy I’d care about being in the forest. In truth, I can see how it might be quite nice since I enjoy being in the forest, but it’s just…” How did she share her fears? It’s best to be outright with it. “I only wonder why you would wish to lie with me. Surely, I’ll do the same things to displease you.”

“Displease me?”

“It was made quite clear to me in the days and weeks that followed your leaving how you preferred to travel to fight another country’s war and face death rather than be forced to lie with me again. I must have been truly dissatisfying. Everyone said so.”

She recalled the whispers, the fear of being alone in a strange place with a new clan. But she’d thought she’d have her husband there to help. But what she’d gotten were rumors and scandal.

And then such pain she didn’t think she’d survive it. But she had—alone.