Page 116 of The Highlander's Princess Bride
Then she would lose him forever.
“Victoria?” he prompted gently.
“I . . . I’m no saint, my lord,” she said. “I’ve done things I’m not proud of, and I’m nobody’s idea of the perfect woman.”
“That’s good, because I’m far from perfect myself.” He smiled. “I have no interest in marrying a paragon, because I cannot imagine anything more boring.”
“But—”
“Sweetheart, you’re aware that I’ve done things I’m not proud of too. And you’ve not held that against me, have you?”
“Of course not. You were simply trying to survive terrible situations.”
“And when you did those things you weren’t proud of, what wereyoudoing?”
She sighed. “Trying to survive.”
“Exactly. Now, tell me, have you ever intentionally hurt anyone or acted contrarily to your principles?”
“No,” she said, trying to be fair to herself. “Not intentionally.”
“I didn’t think so. Victoria, clearly there are things in your past that trouble you, and I hope someday you’ll tell me about them. But I respect your privacy, and I respect your secrets. How could I not? I’ve kept secrets from you until my blasted family forced them into the open.” He leaned forward and briefly kissed the tip of her nose. “I will not force anything from you, love. I will wait until you’re ready to share them of your own free will.”
His generosity made her feel like an absolute worm, but she couldn’t deny a sneaking feeling of relief.
“Thank you, my lord. I’m . . . I’m very grateful.”
A slight smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “You don’t seem grateful. In fact, as Angus would say, you look as queer as Dick’s hatband.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I do?”
“Yes, but I know just the thing to jolly you out of your bad mood.”
“I’m not . . . never mind.” At the moment her emotions were such a mess that there was no point in trying to explain herself.
With a quiet laugh, he reached behind and extracted something from the waistband of his kilt. When she saw the small jeweler’s box, her heart began to thud.
“Another present, sir?” She forced a smile. “Indeed, it’s not necessary. You’ve already given me so much, including this lovely dress.”
“Which I had to compel you to accept, as I recall,” he said dryly.
“It’s not appropriate for you to purchase my clothing.” They’d had more than one fraught discussion about it, since the earl had insisted on garments appropriate to her status as his future countess. She’d finally agreed to allow him to purchase a few things for her, including the gown for tonight, partly because Edie and Alec had taken his side.
“Then I’ll be happy to divest you of all your clothing, after I give you this,” he said.
When he flipped open the box, she gasped. Nestled in dark red velvet was a flawless pink pearl surrounded by small but perfect diamonds and set on a plain gold band. Simple and elegant, it was the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen.
“Good God, I cannot possibly wear that, my lord.”
“I don’t see why not.” He took her limp hand and slipped it onto her finger.
“Because everyone will think we’re betrothed,” she said in a tight voice, feeling like bursting into tears.
“They already do. Might as well make it official.”
She wavered a moment, and then shook her head. “Lord Arnprior—”
“Nicholas,” he murmured, taking her hand and placing it on his chest. His muscles felt hot and hard under her fingertips, and the pearl shone with an almost mystical gleam. “Or Nick, if you prefer.”
