“I touched ye. Kissed ye.” The long column of his throat constricted as he swallowed. “I shouldnae have done that.”
His words were finally making sense and she found herself frowning. “I kissed ye. I touched ye.”
“Aye.” His lips curled wryly. “And I shouldnae have enjoyed that as much as I did.”
Well, at least he admitted to enjoying it!
In a pique, one of her fingers jabbed him in the bare chest. “Why is that so bad, Pherson Ross? Dinnae give me that shite about me being a lady—ye ken I’m nae fine lady, and I think ye’re as good, decent, and worthy a man as any.”
His fingers still dug into her shoulders. “I dinnae ken that.”
“Well I do.” Her finger jabbed him. “Ye’re honorable, and kind, and honest, and caring, and good. I’m coming to love yer daughter—Och, ‘tis Wren, is it no’?” She rolled her eyes and dropped her hands to her hips, annoyed at herself, and how quickly her body went from bliss to irritation. “I attacked ye in yer house, with yer daughter sleeping right over there on the bed—“
“She’s in the back,” he corrected, his gray eyes inscrutable as he studied her. “She cannae hear ye—us.”
Well, thank St. Tiffani for that. “Then ye refuse to allow me to get close because ye’re afraid for her?” Wynda shook her head. “I care for that lassie as much as I care for my own sisters. As much as I care for—“ Ye. Instead, she frowned up at him. “I’d never hurt her.”
“Of course ye wouldnae,” he growled, “Ye’re a good woman. A kind, caring, brilliant woman.”
“So why can ye no’ love me?”
Well, shite.
The pitiful question hung in the air between them.
Love me love me love me…
His expression didn’t change and she knew he was hiding something from her.
Finally, he blew out a breath. In one swift movement, he’d whirled her about, his hands still anchoring her shoulders as she faced the door.
“Because…” He lowered his lips to her ear, his whisper harsh. “I’m no’ honest. I’m no’ good, and I’m no’ honorable.” He yanked open the door. “And ye’d best leave, afore ye learn aught more about me. Tomorrow I’ll send ye the leather ye need.”
When he nudged her through it, she went, her mind whirling with all sorts of new knowledge.
See, Pherson? Her lips curled wryly as she began her journey to the secret door behind the hedge along the north wall which would lead to the passages and her room. Ye have taught me all sorts of interesting lessons.
She couldn’t wait to learn more.