Page 75 of The Highlander's Temporary Bride
He pulled her up despite her protests, but she pushed him away.
“You should, for I should not be here,” she insisted. “I was wrong to run away.”
“Ye would deny Laird MacLarsen the joy he has found with yer sister?” Brenda asked quietly, and Emma spun to her. “Aye, his grandmaither writes to me now and then. Agnes has charmed him—and taught him a thing or two.” Her eyes flicked to her son. “Nae surprisin’.”
“I…” Emma hugged herself. “What I did was selfish, and I must go.” She looked between Brenda and Grant. “You must prepare a carriage and send me back to England. Immediately.”
“Emma—” Brenda began.
“Maither, would ye leave us?” Grant asked in a soft voice.
Brenda huffed out a breath, then nodded and swept out of the room.
Grant prowled toward Emma as soon as the door clicked shut, but she shook her head and held him off. Or tried as he grabbed her by the elbows.
“Enough of this, Emma,” he said. “Nay more apologizin’ or talk of leavin’.”
“Our time together is over, My Laird,” Emma said.
“Like hell it is,” Grant growled. “And dinnae call me that, lass—unless ye want me to convince ye to use me name.”
“Stop,” Emma pleaded desperately, and he drew back. She pulled herself free and went to the window, staring out at the loch. “You can destroy the Queen’s Edict on paper, but not in spirit. I must go.” She swallowed hard and then forced herself to continue. “I won’t be able to attend your wedding to Helena. Please.Pleaselet me go.”
Silence filled the room, and then Grant joined her at the window.
“Ye ask me for the one thing—” he started to say, then stopped and looked at her. “Or is it… Ah.”
“What?” Emma asked, more sharply than she had intended, for her heart had flipped at those words.
Ask him for the one thing what?
“Ye were proven right yesterday, were ye nae, Emma?” Grant’s face darkened. “That’s what this is all about. Ye dinnae want to live in such a dangerous and wild place, where murderous bastards make plays for power. Where braithers kill each other and faithers try to kill their own sons.”
Emma balled her fists and pressed them against her stomach. Her heart pounded in her chest. She could not deny that the prospect terrified her, that she worried for her sister, for her friends—and forhim. How could she live a life where he would face such danger? Never mind their children–
She gasped and turned around, pressing a fist to her lips. The dream of the boy flashed through her mind.
“Oh, God in Heaven,” she whispered. “I…”
“Ye want a gentle husband, I see that now.”
Her thoughts were in disarray, and she turned back, her heart aching.
No, that’s not it.A tear rolled down her cheek.But I see now that no matter how long I stay, I will never convince you otherwise.
She lifted her chin and gazed at him, knowing the truth was in her eyes if he chose to see it.
You think I fear for myself, when I only fear for you.
Grant gazed at her but did not seem to see her, and again, she felt her heart break. More tears came then, and a sob tore out of her throat.
“I understand,” Grant said in a flat voice, stern and remote.
“You understand nothing,” Emma whispered.
“Nay, I was a fool to…” Grant closed his eyes and turned away. “Thank ye for all yer help, Lady Emma. Truly, I see the light now. And I apologize for everything ye have been through in me home.” A shuddering breath escaped him. “Farewell. I willnae forget ye anytime soon, though I do hope I’ll forget ye one day.”
A scream bubbled up Emma’s throat at the stubborn lines of his shoulders, the distance that increased between them with every step. At the door, he paused and looked back, as though waiting for her to say goodbye.
