Page 62 of The Highlander's Accidental Wife
Again, Helena shook her head, even as her eyes filled with a shy hope, causing his pulse to race dangerously. He tugged her closer, then reached up and brushed a wayward curl from her forehead. He’d noticed it slip free earlier, and Helena had batted at it impatiently before returning to her work.
She’d been so intense in her focus, so singular in her scholarship. How could he look away? When she’d stopped, Damien had felt an absurd pang of disappointment, even though he knew she had to be stiff and sore from sitting on a rock and writing for over an hour.
He did not think he’d ever forget the sight of her sitting in front of the cave’s mouth. With the sunlight falling all around her, the beauty of this place paled in comparison to her. She made him think of the way light moved across the sea or a playful wind in the pines. And he felt a fierce gladness that he could have her here, that he could give her this.
It had felt almost holy, in a way, and as much as Damien wanted to say as much to her—he could not find the words.
“This whole time?” she whispered.
Damien nodded, tracing his fingers over the shell of her ear.
“Why?”
He pulled back slowly, thoughtfully. For a moment, there was silence, then he said, “I couldnae look away, lass.”
“Oh.” Helena turned a brighter pink and looked down, fiddling with her skirts. “You weren’t bored?”
A rough laugh escaped him. “Not in the least.”
He cleared his throat when Helena gave him a look that made him wonder why he wasn’t pinning her down and kissing her until she begged for mercy.
“Why this particular play?” He sat back, hoping he looked the picture of ease. But he also hoped that Helena could hear the admiration in his voice. “Just for yer maither?”
“No. She had other translations—poetry and such—that I’d like to one day look at,” Helena said. “This play, I suppose, was where she left off—partially because of its length.”
“So, this is what ye like to do? Translation?”
Helena bit her lip and nodded. “When you translate, whether or not you know the story, the work pulls you in.” She put her hands behind her so she could lean back and look up at the sky. “It is a puzzle to put together, a series of choices that you’re not sure will pay off, and then they do. It’s like discovering colors that you did not realize existed. They glow and shift until you recognize them—but more than that, you brought them to life.”
Damien stared at her, his chest expanding, and a dizzying rush went through him. All he wanted was for her to continue. He felt mesmerized, lost in her words, and desperate for more.
Christ, what is happenin’ to me?
She continued, her tone dreamy, her gaze still skyward, “That’s why when you brought me here and talked about bringingIphigeniato life, I was so overcome. So grateful, Damien, truly.” She smiled to herself. “And what a strange, lovely thing for you to say something that I’ve always felt…” She looked over at him, and her lips parted. “I…”
For a moment, they simply gazed at each other, and then Helena straightened, hugging her knees. Her face shuttered, and the gleam in her hazel eyes dimmed.
“You’ll forgive me for bringing this up, but this is why I ran.” She pressed her chin to her knees, looking wistful and young. “Why I’ve always feared marriage. I could not lose that—I would perish.”
Damien’s chest tightened. He caught her hand and pressed a fierce kiss to the back of it. Then, his eyes closed as he put his other hand over it and held it for a long moment. For he saw, with a sharp and terrible clarity, the future that Helena feared. A future where a foolish husband sucked all the light and life out of her until she?—
“I willnae let that happen,” he said, then blew out a breath, recalling that he was her betrothed and needed to be a wise husband. “I wish to be the one to always help ye find yer way to yer passions, Helena. To let yer brilliance shine.” He looked up. “I promise ye, I will do right by ye.” A smile curved over his face, and he kissed her hand again. “Ye willnae perish on me watch, me scholar-wife.”
Helena’s eyes shone as they had earlier, and his heart clenched when a single tear rolled down her cheek. She gave him the most devastating, lovely smile he’d ever seen—sweet and fragile, yet full of hope.
“Thank you, and I-I believe you.”
CHAPTER 26
The morning had passed,and the afternoon was coming on, with the remnants of their picnic scattered around them. There was nothing quite like eating a good meal outside, with the scent of the sea in the air, a brisk breeze, and a lovely lass to look at.
They’d talked more about Helena’s work, which led to books they’d loved, their childhoods, and their families. And yet Damien was greedy for more. He wanted all of Helena’s past in his pocket, where he might keep it safe. He wanted to smooth out that troubled furrow in her brow when she spoke of her sister. And he wanted her.
It had been a good idea to bring her here, but damn, it was hard to keep his hands to himself. He reminded himself over and over that this was meant to be a courtship, that he should be pleased that he already knew Helena well enough to bring her to a place like this.
He said as much to her. “I had nay doubt of how fearless ye are, but I admit, I am impressed with how well ye take to the wilderness. Ye fit here.”
Helena flushed with pleasure, tossing back her head as she laughed, and then shook her head. “I think it’s more my curiosity getting the better of me.” She bit the inside of her cheek. “I have to admit, if I picture the expression on my father’s face, or anyone who called me Lady Highbrow—especially my stepbrother.” She made a face as Damien stirred. “Well, it does make me laugh. They would be staggered beyond belief.” She wrinkled her nose. “Not that I want them here.”
