Page 72 of Hard-Hearted Highlander
“Eight!” Avaline exclaimed, and meant to complain.
But Bernadette said, “I must speak with you, Avaline.”
“Yes, all right, but at breakfast,” Avaline said, and rolled onto her side, intending to return to sleep.
Bernadette put her hand on Avaline’s hip. “It really must be now,” she said, sounding a wee bit hoarse.
Avaline groaned. There was nothing she hated worse than conversations in the morning. “Very well,” she said irritably, and pushed herself upright. She pulled her braid over her shoulder, drew her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. “Well? What is it?”
Bernadette didn’t answer straightaway. She began to pace. Her hair was unkempt, Avaline noticed, as if she’d slept with it loose. She had never seen Bernadette like this, had never seen her with a hair out of place. Bernadette was always so...confident. In appearance, in word and in deed.
She suddenly stopped pacing and fixed her gaze on Avaline. “Well, I can think of no way to soften it, so I’ll just say it. Mr. Mackenzie and I have...we have...” Her chin trembled, and Bernadette pressed her fingertips to her cheeks.
“What have you and Mr. Mackenzie done? Argued?”
“Kissed,” Bernadette said tightly.
It took a moment for Avaline to fully grasp that. What did thatmean, precisely? A peck on the cheek? Or akiss?“Pardon?”
“We have kissed,” Bernadette said again. A blush was creeping up her neck.
And still Avaline didn’t understand.“Why?”she asked, truly astounded. She couldn’t imagine why anyone would kiss that man if it wasn’t necessary, not even his own mother.
The questions seemed to confuse Bernadette. She pushed her hair back from her face. “I’m really not sure,” she said softly and, amazingly, tears filled her eyes.
Avaline’s eyes widened with surprise. Bernadetteneverwept. Avaline leaned forward. “Do you...do youesteemhim? I thought you despised him.”
“I don’t despise him...” She winced. “That’s not true, I did despise him in the beginning. But mostly I didn’t want to see you wed such a cheerless, hard-hearted man.”
“So why then did youkisshim?” Avaline asked, terribly confused. “Was it part of a scheme to save me?” she asked hopefully, although she couldn’t see what sort of scheme would require Bernadette tokisshim.
“No, God, no,” Bernadette said quickly. “It just happened, Avaline. I can’t really even say how. And it happened more than once. It happened—” a tear slid down her cheek “—in a manner I can’t even describe to you.”
Avaline blinked. She was very curious to know what manner could not be described.
“It’s horrible, I know,” Bernadette said. “Somehow, we, ah...well I, came to esteem him in a way that defies all logic—”
“Do youlovehim?” Avaline exclaimed, shocked and horrified for Bernadette.
“No!” Bernadette quickly insisted. But she didn’t look as if that was true. She looked as if she was tryingnotto love him.
Bernadette fell to her knees beside Avaline’s bed, and clasped her hands before her as if she was praying. “I know what I’ve done is the height of betrayal, and for that, I offer you my sincerest apologies. If I could take it back, I would, but I can’t. I don’t know what possessed me, other than I was swept away by sentiments I’ve never experienced quite like this.” She bowed her head over her hands, hiding her face from Avaline.
Avaline stared down at her dark head. This was brilliant. It was the answer to her prayers! “Oh, dear, you mustn’t upset yourself,” she said, and put her hand on Bernadette’s head. She wouldn’t have to worry about that wretched man now—she would give him to Bernadette!
“It’s too late. I’m beside myself with grief,” Bernadette said tearfully.
“Well, of course you are,” Avaline said soothingly. “No doubt you saw a kiss from even him as your only opportunity for passion.”
Bernadette stilled. She lifted her head. “I don’t think—”
“Were I in your shoes, I’m sure I’d have been tempted as well,” Avaline said soothingly.
Bernadette’s brows dipped into a dubious vee. “You would?”
“You mustn’t give it another thought, Bernadette. I completely understand how you must have needed the attention, and I forgive you.” Avaline felt a bit like a saint. Of course, Bernadette would never have any chance at happiness, and Avaline could hardly blame her for stealing a bit of hers. Not that she’d stolen anything from her at all, really.
Bernadette dropped her head again. “I amso sorry,Avaline.”
