Chrechte know their responsibilities to their mates.
Is a friend more important than a wife?
He didnt answer, choosing instead to ask Barr a question about the soldiers training that day.
She leaned toward Guaire and whispered, He can be very abrupt.
He is laird. He does not waste words.
Is an answer a waste of words?
When Guaire shrugged, the knowing expression in his eyes told her he remembered her complaint about that particular gesture so favored by the Highland warriors.
She giggled and soon his chuckle followed.
When her gaze traveled around to the other eaters in the hall, she found Niall glaring daggers at her and her giggles faded to nothing. She could not forget that along with her husbands trust, the revelation of her secret had lost her a friend.
Later, tired, Abigail excused herself to retire.
I will escort you to your chamber, my lady, Guaire offered.
But Talorc stood abruptly. I will go up with my wife.
Abigail took her husbands hand with some trepidation. She was not sure she wanted to be alone with him where he would feel free to continue berating her for her deception.
He noticed her hesitation and frowned at it, his hand closing firmly over hers. She looked back at the table and saw Niall give Guaire a look that made little sense.
The huge warrior looked hurt in some way, but Guaire had done nothing to hurt him.
Chapter 16
He reminds me of Emily.
Her husbands shoulders jerked in surprise. My soldier reminds you of your sister?
She giggled at the implication. Not because he is feminine. He may not be as fierce as you, but he is a strong soldier. I would trust my safety in his hands, she said, repeating something similar to what Una had said once.
So, how does he remind you of Emily?
He saw value in me before he learned my secret and that did not change after.
Talorcs brows drew together. According to what I saw at dinner tonight, many members of the clan feel the same.
Yes, it is amazing. Only Guaire was already a good friend, and then he showed himself to be a true friend both standing by and standing up for me. Even with Niall, who intimidates most clan members.
Like Emily did when you first lost your hearing, Talorc said, clearly able to draw a logical conclusion.
Emily saved my life twice. Abigail wanted to make her husband understand why her sister was such an important part of her life. When I had the fever, no one wanted to risk exposure to nurse me.
Not even your mother?
Especially not my mother.
So, Emily nursed you?
Yes.
You said she saved your life twice.
Fear of the inexplicable is strong in my fathers keep.
Yes?
Abigail nodded. If the rest of the keep had been made aware of my loss, they might well have insisted on ridding the keep of me.
Your father would have submitted to the demands of his people?
I know only that my mother would not have been disappointed to see me gone.
He said that word again, the one she did not understand.
Unable to meet his gaze directly and say what she wanted, she peered up at him through her lashes. I did not believe I would ever have a person in my life who was more important to me than my sister.
You want me to believe I am that person? The tension in his body was easy to read.
Emotion clogged her throat. Yes. More than anything.
Several long seconds passed in silence while he watched her and she watched him from beneath her lashes.
I want proof.
Her head snapped up. What?
Prove to me how much you want to be with me. He put his arms out. Come here.
This she could do.
Without hesitation, she walked right into those arms that always made her feel so protected and safe. His spicy, masculine scent washed over her, filling her with longing. She looked up at him, letting her love shine for him to see if he wanted to. Please, dont send me away, Talorc.
He did not reply, but his mouth claimed hers with raw passion. He tasted like the mead from dinner and that feral flavor she associated with him alone. It was a heady combination and she didnt know how long the kiss lasted. The pure bliss went on and on and yet felt like it was over in a moment. She was so dazed by it, he had to touch her eyelids to let her know he had something to say when he lifted his mouth from hers.
She allowed her eyes to flutter open.
His expression was all fierce possession and wild desire. Mine.
Yours. If only she could know as surely that he was hers.
Show me.
She nodded, finally understanding what he wanted her to do to prove his place in her heart. He wanted her to offer the one thing that was not and had never been part of her deception, something far removed from her sister and anyone else.
The untamed passion she felt for him.
With that in mind, she undid his belt, letting it fall to the floor, her hands already busy tugging at his plaid. She needed to get to bare skin, not just because he wanted her to prove something to him, but because she craved the intimacy he gave only to her.
The blue, green and black tartan came away from his magnificent body with ease. He had not worn a shirt, so the loss of his plaid left him totally, gloriously naked. His body glowed with vitality, his muscles rippling with tension under his golden skin.