“She is stronger than you guess, Fergus.She will heal.”
But Leila had chosen and Fergus knew it.Was it because he had left her undefended on this day?He feared he had failed her and knew she would never accuse him outright.
But if she did not confide in him, how could he reassure her?
He would do as much with his deeds, Fergus decided.He would make every effort to let Leila know that she was welcome and that he did not wish her to leave.
Because he did not, and he was startled by the vigor of his conviction.He had long admired Leila but as Fergus sat in the hall with his father, he realized that he loved her.He loved Leila as he had never loved Isobel, and the prospect of losing her—even of being denied her companionship—was devastating.
Yet all the same, he would not hold her captive at Killairic, not if she desired to be elsewhere.He wanted her to have whatever she desired, whatever it was.
Whoever it was.
“We will not go to Iona,” he said to his father.“For I fear she might not be strong enough to make the journey, and I will not hasten her conversion.”
“Let her choose in her own time,” Calum agreed.“That is more kind.”He patted Fergus’ shoulder.“Let us send Murdoch.He can gather such tidings as are to be heard there.”
Fergus nodded agreement, more interested in how he might regain the trust and goodwill of his lady wife.
If she desired time, he would give it to her.Eleven months remained of their handfast and though he was impatient to see matters resolved between them, he would give Leila all the time she needed, in the hope she would choose to stay.
