Oh!
Gracious.
Jaw tense, teeth clenched, eyes chips of ice—
Italian mercenaries battling the infidel hordes to the death had likely appeared less fierce.
“I can fight my own battles, Tristan,” she said, but the quivering wobble in her voice belied her words.
He bent down, their noses nearly touching. “I know you can, love. It is one of the kaleidoscope of things I adore about you. But in this, I. Do. Not. Care.”
“Tristan—”
Lifting a hand, he cupped her face, tilting her chin until she peered deep into his soul.
“Believe me, Isolde Gilbert, when I say this.” He bit out the words with chilling enunciation, eyes burning with a holy fire. “I will burn this god-forsaken country to thegroundfor you.”
His words sent gooseflesh skittering across her skin.
He meant it, her glorious Tristan.
Hand at her cheek, he continued, “I will eviscerate anyone who dares harm or threaten you. I will take that damn ferret of a woman and turn her life into a wasteland of regret and horror.”
“Tristan, but—”
“Nobuts. I know you can fight this battle, my love, but I can no longer remain a passive bystander. I will tear this realmapart with my bare hands before permitting anyone to harm one more hair on your beautiful head.” He leaned down, his forehead pressing to hers. “Understand this simple truth—I am your sword,cara mia. You have only to point the blade.”
His declaration was simply too much. How could she ever have believed this man would not be the most devoted of husbands?
Sobbing, Isolde wrapped her arms around his neck and collapsed her head on his chest. The warmth of his large body instantly surrounded her.
He let hergreit, bless him.
“I have come to a decision,” he said once her weeping had quieted. Gently, he shifted to look down at her once more. “We have both been concerned about me retreating into my haughty Kendall self or imploding due to a lack of purpose. I have even been having fantasies of a simpler life, one where I am not hemmed in by ducal duties and am free to spend every minute with you.”
“I w-would adore that life.”
“As would I. But I have realized a different truth just now—IamKendall. And at times, it is useful to be Kendall in order to protect those I love. I will never stop wielding the might of the dukedom to secure your happiness. That—” He dropped a soft kiss on her lips. “Thatis my purpose.”
Isolde pressed a hand to his chest, tears threatening once more. How she adored him.
His dark eyes stared deeply into hers. “Moreover, I am eternally tired of attempting to adhere to the rules of theton. To hell with them. We are not followers of custom, you and I. Wemakethe custom, Isolde. If we decree that husbands and wives should revel in one another’s company, then others will follow. If we wish duchesses to be scandalously educated and outspoken,then so they will be. We set the rules, and others hasten to observe them.”
“Oh, my darling!”
“This is what is going to happen, my love.” His head dropped to her ear. “You are going to stay here, safe and protected in my bed, growing our babe and recovering your strength. I, on the other hand, will don my fiercest Kendall face and lay waste to my cousin, his wife, and likely the Duchy of Andover while I am at it.”
Never had she adored this man more.
“I-I love y-ye,” she hiccupped.
“Not as much as I love you,cuore mio.”
My heart.
She knew those words, too.
“C-can you lay waste tomorrow?” she asked, burrowing into his chest. “This is n-nice, and I w-want to cuddle m-more.”
