Page 74 of Seduction in a Kilt

She huffed. “I came tae the door tae see if ye were here, obviously, because I have a lot of things I want tae say tae ye.”

“Well, I was comin’ tae see ye fer the same reason.”

“Really? Now that’s interestin’ because I thought ye said everythin’ ye wanted tae say tae me last night when ye just walked out and left me here – and then at dinner tonight too. Ye let everybody ken what ye think of me – naethin’!

“If ye’re referrin’ tae what happened between us last night while ye were bathin’—

“Bathin’? I’ve nae heard it called that before. I understand now why it meant naethin’ tae ye. Ye thought we were “bathin”.”

“Stop bein’ deliberately awkward, ye ken what I mean.”

“Dae I? And how would ye ken that? I bet ye were very pleased with yersel’. Me the wee virgin, offerin’ mesel’ up tae ye, so grateful fer the big, braw man showin’ her what ’tis all about. Oh, the sacrifices ye made, the sufferin’!”

“That’s nae fair, Ivy, ye asked me tae make love tae ye.”

“Make love? I may be ignorant about such things, but is that nae somethin’ ye dae with someone ye actually love? If so, it cannae have been that what we did, because ye’ve made it very clear ye dinnae love me.”

“Ivy, will ye keep yer voice down? D’ye want everyone tae ken our business?”

“After yer wee exhibition at dinner tonight, I think they already ken most of it.”

“I’m sorry, I was⁠—"

“Sorry butters nae parsnips with me, Liam. Ye were what? Upset, were ye? Well, how d’ye think I felt last night when ye went and left me tae go and sleep in yer own bed?”

“Ye were the one that said,”—he mimicked her voice—‘Och, please, Liam, take me maidenhood, make me a woman.’”

“Ye bastard!” She went to slap his face, but he caught her hand in midair. “Let go of me. Ye have nae right tae touch me.”

“Is that so? Then how come ye were just about tae slap me face?”

“Ye deserve it, and more. Anyway, none of it matters now. Ye’ve had yer fun with me, and the day after tomorrow, I’ll be marryin’ yer friend. Ye must be lookin’ forward tae havin’ me out of yer life fer good.

“Pah! I was stupid enough tae come tae care fer ye, and the way ye acted, I believed ye cared fer me too. But now I see how naive I was, how easy I was tae lead up the garden path. Ye never cared fer me at all!”

“That’s nae true, Ivy, and if ye’d just shut up fer a minute and listen tae me, I can explain.”

“I’m nae interested in yer explanations. Ye made me believe ye felt somethin’ fer me, but when Knox gave ye the chance tae step in and ask me tae wed ye instead of him, ye didnae want tae ken. Even after all we’ve shared, ye dinnae even have the guts tae fight fer me! Ye’re just washin’ yer hands of me and givin’ me away tae yer friend. Ye’ve broken me heart, Liam MacTavish, broken it intae pieces.”

“Ivy, let me speak!”

“Ach, go on then. Let’s hear yer excuses.”

“’Tis nae an excuse. There’s a very good reason why I cannae wed ye.”

“Are ye already wed!?”

“Nay, of course nae. But I made a vow tae mesel’ a long time ago, after me and Tadhg saw our parents bein’ murdered, never tae let mesel’ care about anybody again, except fer me braither, of course.

“The two people I loved the most were cruelly snatched away from me in front of me eyes. I couldnae keep them from bein’ killed. I couldnae protect them. The guilt and pain were so bad, I swore tae mesel’ never tae go through it again. I swore never tae fall in love and never tae wed. There, now ye ken the truth.”

“So, what exactly are ye sayin’?”

“Fer the sake of the Wee Man Ivy, what d’ye think I’m sayin’? I love ye, of course, I love ye! That’s why I cannae marry ye. Because I’ll nae be able tae keep ye safe from harm, and me fear of losin’ ye is stronger than me love!”

She blanched. In the silence that followed, she stepped back and tottered slightly. Instinctively, Liam reached out and caught her arm, meaning to steady her. She snatched her arm away.

“Ach, now ye claim tae love me, dae ye? Ye’re either a liar or a fool then. Because if ye truly loved me, ye’d nae be such a coward. Ye’d fight fer me as I’d fight fer ye!”