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“Or am I to think that the bitch that I married wants to see me kill myself—but only after she revels in all my power and wealth?”
She reeled a step backward, his words said with such venom her stomach twisted into pain. Her palm tight against her belly, she forced her shoulders high and pulled them back. “Tell me you did not just mean those words.”
“They weren’t my words, Sloane.”
“Yes—yes I said those words to Falsted—he cornered me and was demanding the book. He doesn’t even ken I already have it, so those weren’t his men in Buchlyvie. He was questioning me—he wanted to ken what I was doing marrying you, so I had to lie—had to say those things.”
“Or are you lying now?” The malice in his voice sharpened. “You’ve gotten so good at it you cannot tell the difference?”
“No—you stop.” She charged toward him, halting only a breath away. “Just last night you demanded I trust you—that the games you were playing with Falsted would not hurt me. But now you cannot do the same for me? Trust that whatever lies I told him were necessary to keep you safe—to keep me safe?”
His eyes narrowed at her, his breath still seething.
Her hands went to her hips. “Why do you get all my trust, while I get none of yours?”
She stared at him for a breath that she held for far too long.
Held, because she was either going to be destroyed or delivered by the time she exhaled it. This was the one moment to determine whether she was to have the husband she wanted above everything or have a broken marriage, every day from here till death torture.
He let loose a long, steaming sigh. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Her breath came out in a puff, her eyes closing. An opening. The smallest of gaps, but a chance.
It took her another five heartbeats before she could open her eyes and look at him. “I didn’t think anything more on the lies I spoke once he told me of the Swallowford lands you agreed to purchase and have cleared. I was so angry it was all I could concentrate on. And I haven’t been alone with you since last night in the gardens.”
She dared to lift her hand and settle it on his chest. “The words I said were the most evil, the most vile thoughts I could think—the makings of my own worst nightmare.” Her eyes closed, her words shaking. “I cannot lose you, Reiner. Especially not to lies that never should have been spoken.”
His lips against hers, hot, still seething, sent a jolt of disbelief down her spine.
He believed her.
And he wasn’t too stubborn to admit it. Or at least, she hoped that’s what his lips on hers meant. He could just as easily be kissing her goodbye.
His hands lifted, his palms capturing the sides of her face as he deepened the searing kiss. The heat of his body so overwhelming that her breath left her. He wanted her—fully and truly and completely—and she couldn’t doubt it anymore.
She managed to wedge her head backward, breaking the kiss, her eyes searching his face. “With all of this, you married me anyway this morning?”
His lips brushed hers. “We were already wed.”
“But you knew you could have petitioned for a divorce with our marriage in Scotland.” Her hands crept up his chest, her fingers wrapping around his neck. “But you didn’t—you still bound yourself to me—beyond all recourse—in that ceremony.”
“You’re mine, Sloane—come threats or lies or sunny skies. You’re mine through it all—you have been since the moment I first kissed you. What this is between us—it cannot be denied. And if I have to trust you above all others for that”—he paused, taking a deep breath—“then I trust you above all others. You can tell me the moon is as pink as your gown, and I’ll believe you. I may question you, but I’ll believe you. And then I’ll order some spectacles.”
She laughed, pulling herself upward to find his lips once more. A kiss so deep, so full of promise and hope for the future that her toes curled, her body aching for him.
She jerked her lips away from his with a yelp, her face crumpling. “Wait—Vicky—oh, no. No, no—what she must be thinking of me. She must be so scared.”
His right cheek pulled up in a slight smile. “She’s still your champion—she didn’t want to tell me. She was crying and I made her tell me what was wrong. And even when she did, she made me swear not to harm you.”
Her bottom lip jutted upward. “I must go see her. This isn’t right that she thinks this of me.”
Reiner nodded. “I don’t think she’s been out of her room all day. We’ll visit with her together.” His fingers went to his forehead. “Except the dinner will be starting soon, so I must see the guests into the great hall for that. But you go to her directly.”
“Oh, I don’t want to fail my hostess duties my very first night as duchess. But Vicky…”
His fingers followed a lock of hair pulled into her upsweep. “Vicky is the most important thing at the moment. Join us when she is soothed. I will make excuses for your absence.” He paused, cocking his head to the side as a mischievous grin lifted his mouth. “Or no excuses. This is our home and we get to do as we please. I’ll see the guests into dinner and you will see to Vicky—tell her all.”
Sloane smiled, so wide it hurt her cheeks. “I made a good choice when I dragged you in front of that baker.”
