Page 80 of The Highlander Is All That

“You didn’t ask?” Honestly, how could she know he would even want to know? “And besides, you’ve only just arrived home.”

“Well, what did you say to Elizabeth when she told you?”

“That I was happy for her.” She had no idea why that surprised him as well.

“You doona have a problem with this . . .” He waved his hand around in an incomprehensible swirl.

“This what?”

“Relationship!”

“That sounds like a question,” she said teasingly.

He, apparently, wasn’t in the mood to be teased. “You really have no issues with your sister marrying a . . .”

“A . . . what?”

“Well, a Scot, obviously.”

“You would ask me this?”

“You know what I mean. After what happened to you—”

His mouth snapped shut as though he’d just said too much. And indeed, he had.

Cold claws clutched at her chest. Her stomach lurched. “What do you mean?”

“You know . . .” Again with the hand.

“Enlighten me,” she said through clenched teeth.

“Your . . . you know.”

“Are you talking about my lover?” she hissed. Oh. She was furious. Not just that he knew, but that he had known. How long had he known?

Ranald blanched. “Was he that?”

“It’s none of your business.”

“Of course it is.”

“Why? Because the duke would be disappointed?”

“No, damn it. Because I care.” His mouth snapped shut and he stared at her mutinously.

For her part, her pulse fluttered and heat rose on her cheeks. “You do?” she said in a small voice.

“That’s what I said, is it no’?” he muttered grudgingly. “I hate the fact that he hurt you. I hate the fact that he hurt you so badly you doona want to take a chance with another man.”

She stared at Ranald, though he refused to meet her gaze. Her heart swelled in her chest. “I think that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me. Thank you.”

He shot her a look. “You’re welcome.”

“I’m . . . getting over it,” she offered tentatively.

His eyes narrowed. “Are you?”

“I am. Slowly.”