When they reached their bedchamber, Guaire had left. Relief was quickly replaced by disappointment as Talorc released her hand and stepped away. His body jerked when he spied the pallet the soldier had slept on. Talorc glared at Abigail.
Dont look at me like that is my fault. She waved her hand at the makeshift bed. You are the one that ordered him to stay with me. When you did not come to our chamber last night, he was forced to sleep here. I tried to convince him to leave, but he refused to do so.
As he should have done. But Talorc gave the smaller pile of furs a less-than-pleasant look.
Hoping out of sight would result in out of mind, Abigail gathered the furs and made to put them back on her and Talorcs bed.
Talorc grabbed her arm. Dont.
Why not?
I will not sleep in a bed with another mans scent.
Oh, brother. Are you trying to tell me you think you can smell Guaire on our blankets? Superior warrior or not, that was just plain crazy.
I can. I will provide more furs for our bed. Until then, we will do without.
Why not? It is not as if we make do without a real bed to begin with. What is a little more discomfort? she grumbled under her breath as she squatted to roll the furs in a neatened bundle on the floor.
When she straightened, Talorc was frowning even more fiercely at her. You do not find our bed adequate?
Its not a bed. Its a pile of furs, she insisted stubbornly, and then realized how irrational she was being. Right now was not the time to discuss their sleeping accommodations.
Never mind. As long as we share them, the furs are more than adequate.
A flash of something like regret showed in his eyes. I did not intend to sleep in the great hall last night.
That was good to know anyway, though she was not sure what it meant in light of what he had said the night before.
Focusing on the mundane rather than issues with the power to shred her newfound happiness, she lifted the bed-roll. What do you want me to do with these?
I do not care.
She set it in the corner. Fine. She would give the furs to Guaire later. No doubt he could make use of the soft, luxurious pelts.
Why did you deceive me? The smell of whiskey still clinging to him and his plaid showing evidence that he had slept in it, Talorc leaned back against the door.
For all that, he was still the most handsome man she had ever seen. It was a wonder she ever had any breath in her the way it escaped at the very sight of him. But now was not the time to dwell on how attractive she found her laird husband.
She opened her
mouth but did not speak. She had to tell him the whole truth. She would never again lie to him, through word or deed. Only she was pretty sure the truth would not help her case.
You are the one who said you wanted to talk. Back to belligerence, he glared accusingly at her.
And she was sure it was only going to get worse.
In the beginning, I knew that if I told you of my affliction, you would refuse to marry me.
You knew this how?
No man wants a flawed bride.
Everyone has flaws.
Are you trying to imply you would have married me regardless of my infirmity?
He shrugged. To perpetuate your deception, you had to want to marry me. Why?
Funny how he did not simply assume it was because every woman was supposed to aspire to the married state. The abbess would approve of Talorcs intelligence, Abigail thought. Marriage to you would bring me to the Highlands. I hoped that once you discovered my secret, you would send me to live with Emily, rather than back to England.
You married me to be reunited with your sister.
He was smart. Shed always known that.
Yes.
Why not simply go to live with her? Your mother did not seem enamored of your presence.
That was putting it mildly. Sybil wanted a more permanent solution to my presence in her home.
Bitch.
Abigail flinched, not sure if he meant Sybil or her.
I told you I would not apologize for saying such. Your mother has stone for a heart.
Only when it comes to me.
Why?
Why do you think?
If I knew I would not ask.
Because I am damaged. There is no place for me in her life. Just as Talorc had said there was no place for Abigail among his clan now.
Even now, hours later, those words sliced through her like a dagger.
He said a word she did not know. She didnt ask him to translate because she was fairly certain she didnt want to know it either.
If your plan was to get me to bring you to the Highlands and then reject you for your weakness so I would send you to live with your sisterwhich was a hopelessly flawed plan, by the bywhy did you not tell me the truth once we reached my fortress?
This discussion had gone better than she could have hoped and the fact that he was still asking questions gave Abigail a sliver of hope. Just enough to prick at her though, not enough to truly lift her spirits. By the time we had reached the Sinclair holding, I knew I did not want to leave you.
You continued to deceive me with the hopes of staying with me? he asked as if to clarify. You were so certain that revealing your secret would result in my rejection of you?