Page 80 of His Forgotten Highland Bride

She gave his chest a right shove, not that he moved, but it made her feel slightly better to cause him some small discomfort for the pain he had just caused her.

He didn’t budge or say anything. He stared at her with his mouth hanging slightly open. She probably should have stood down, but she was caught up in her anger and continued her rant. She was a mother warrior protecting her child or at least the memory of her child.

“Whatever you want to say about me and my failures, go ahead. But you will not say anything about Marcas. He was an innocent baby.”

“My son?” Ronan managed to say. “This grave is for my son?”

Her brows pulled together, her chest still heaving with her anger, but she calmed slightly. “Aye.”

“I had no idea. I didn’t know.” He looked at her in confusion, but it was she that was confused. How could he not know?

“Did you not get my letters?”

He swallowed and looked away, guilt clear on his face.

She drew a shaky breath and put an unsteady hand to her chest. She had read the truth in his eyes. Her shoulders fell in defeat. She worried she wouldn’t have the strength to stand. She must have swayed, for he put his hand out to steady her, but she slapped it away.

“I fretted over every line and curve, hoping you wouldn’t find my writing lacking.” She tossed a hand. “When I had to write to tell you I’d lost the babe, it was nearly as difficult as the birth, but you needed to know.” Her voice grew quieter, no longer able to muster the energy to yell. “You hated me so much you didn’t even read my letters. When I thought I was alone in this pain, I truly was.”

With that, she retrieved her horse and rode back to the castle without him.