Page 150 of The Highlander's Princess Bride
His eyebrows shot up. “Keeping you out of prison is not a good enough reason? It seems like a damn good one to me.”
“I do not agree.”
“Oh, really?”
Actually, it was a good reason. Just not good enough, given all the other obstacles standing between them. “Yes, really.”
“Do you need more? Fine. We need you.Ineed you. The Kendricks are bloody lost without you. After the last few days, I would think that’s more than evident.”
It was not exactly the romantic declaration of love she foolishly longed to hear. “What you needed was nursing and housekeeping help.”
He blew out an exasperated sigh. “All right, Victoria. Then why don’t you tell me exactly what it is you want from me?”
Might was well let it rip, old girl.
After all, what did she have to lose? “I want you to love me.”
His face went absolutely blank, as if her words had knocked his wits right out of his skull. She swallowed, already feeling like a fool.
But then he gave her a rueful smile. “Of course I love you, my sweet lass. Please forgive me if I failed to make that clear. You know I’m rather thickheaded when it comes to this sort of thing.”
Though not a Shakespearean declaration by any means, it considerably eased her anxiety. “I’m not a mind reader. You could have told me,” she said a bit grumpily.
“I know. And I’ve been a brute, but I promise to be on my best behavior from now on.” When he made a cross over his heart, she couldn’t help but laugh. Reluctantly, of course.
“That’s very kind of you, sir, but . . .”
“Another but?”
“You said some things the other night in Glasgow. About being able to trust each other.”
“Are you asking me if I trust you?”
“You said you’d already had one untrustworthy wife and didn’t want another.” Victoria didn’t think she’d ever forget how horrible those words had made her feel.
He frowned. “I don’t recall comparing you to my first wife.”
“You strongly implied it.”
He tapped his fingertips on the table for a few seconds. “I didn’t mean to. And as long as you don’t lie to me ever again, it won’t be a problem.” He flashed her an encouraging smile, as if it were the most reasonable thing in the world to say.
Victoria was tempted to throw her scone at his head. How could he truly love her and yet say something so stupid? “So this was allmyfault?”
“I didn’t say that. You’re simply misunderstanding me. Or,” he hastily amended, after catching the look on her face, “we’remisunderstanding each other.”
“That, sir, is an understatement.” She shoved her chair back. “And let me just say that your declaration of love was exceedingly unimaginative and lacking in . . . in everything.”
“What in blazes does that mean?”
To tell the truth, Victoria wasn’t sure what it meant. But her instincts had been absolutely right. They were both too tired to have a coherent discussion about their future.
“You know exactly what it means,” she said.
Nicholas all but leapt to his feet. “Victoria, I forbid you to flounce out of the room. We are going to stay and finish this discussion.”
“I never flounce.” Of course, though, she proceeded to do just that.
However, her dramatic exit was ruined when the door opened and Alec barreled in, nearly running her over.
