Page 97 of The Laird’s Sinful Claim

"This is—" Her throat was tight. "This is incredibly thoughtful."

"But?"

"But it doesn't change what happened." She forced herself to meet his eyes. "I spent the past week feeling trapped and alone. Feeling like you saw me as a burden rather than a partner. And while this room is beautiful and generous and everything I could have wanted, it doesn't erase that."

David's expression crumpled slightly. "I ken that."

"Then why show it to me now? Why not when you first finished it? Why wait until after we'd fought?"

"Because I'm a fool." He moved closer, his eyes intense. "Because I let fear control me. Because when I saw that blade at yer throat, somethin' in me broke. And instead of talkin' tae ye about it, instead of lettin' ye help me through it—I shut down. Built walls. Did exactly what Euan said I always dae when I'm scared."

"Why?" The question came out softer than she'd intended. "Why dae you shut down like that?"

David was quiet for a long moment. Then he moved to the settle, sinking onto it like his legs wouldn't hold him anymore.

"Me uncle," he said finally. "After me faither died, me uncle became regent. He was supposed tae guide me until I was old enough ae take over as laird." His voice was flat, emotionless. "But he didnae want tae guide. He wanted tae control. And when me maither tried tae stand up tae him, when she tried to protect me from his worst impulses, he sent her away."

Elinor's breath caught. "Sent her away?"

"Exiled her. Said she was unfit to raise the heir. That she was too soft. Too English." His hands curled into fists on his knees. "I was twelve. And I watched her beg him tae let her stay. Watched her promise she'd dae anythin'. And he just… he laughed. Had guards dragged her out while I stood there and did naethin'."

"David." Elinor moved to sit beside him, her anger forgotten in the face of his pain. "You were a child."

"I should have done somethin'. Fought harder. Refused tae let them take her." His voice was rough. "But I was afraid. Of me uncle. Of what he might dae if I resisted. So I let her go. And I never saw her again."

"Never?"

"She died three years later. Some illness. By the time word reached me, she'd already been buried." He stared at his hands. "And I realized, I'd let fear control me. Let me uncle win because I was too afraid tae fight back. And I swore I'd never let that happen again. Never let anyone control me through fear."

Understanding crashed over Elinor like a wave. "That's why you defied the king. Why you bought me at the auction instead of marrying whoever he'd chosen."

"Aye. And it's why I shut down after the attack." He finally looked at her, and she saw the rawness in his eyes. "Because I was afraid again. Afraid of losin' ye the way I lost her. And instead of dealin' with that fear, instead of trustin' ye tae help me through it, I pushed everyone away. Built walls. Saw enemies everywhere."

"Like you did after your mother left."

"Aye." The word was barely audible. "Euan tried tae tell me. Said I was daein' it again. But I didnae want tae listen. Didnae want tae admit that I he was right."

Elinor's chest ached. For the boy who'd lost his mother. For the man who'd never forgiven himself for not fighting harder to keep her.

For her husband, who was so afraid of losing people that he pushed them away before they could leave.

"I'm not your mother," she said quietly.

"I ken that."

"And I'm not going anywhere." She reached out, taking his hand. "But you have to let me in, David. You have to trust that I'm strong enough to handle whatever you're feeling. Whatever you're afraid of."

"I want tae." His fingers tightened around hers. "I want tae trust ye. Tae let ye in. But I dinnae ken how. I've spent so long buildin' walls, I dinnae ken how tae tear them down."

"Then let me help you." Elinor shifted closer. "Stop trying to protect me from everything. Stop making decisions without me. Start treating me like your partner instead of your responsibility."

"And if I fail? If I shut down again?"

"Then I'll call you on it. Just like I did yesterday." She managed a small smile. "And you'll apologize. And we'll work through it. Together."

"Taegether." David repeated the word like he was testing its weight. "I like the sound of that."

"So do I."