"Don't argue. I am not in the mood to deal with your stubborn disobedience."
"I saved you. Had I not aided you, you would be...dead."
"And you took a foolish risk." He held up a hand when she started to protest. "I am proud of your bravery, but you should not have risked yourself. You could have been killed."
"As could you. In fact, you would now be swingingfrom a noose if I hadn't saved you.
Again." She risked much reminding him of the day Lyndon had first been attacked. Flames rose within as she considered what he might do about her defiance.
"I thought you meant to kill me."
"But you trust me now."
He nodded. "I do."
He cupped her face in one large hand and she leaned her head into the caress. The simple touch sent the fire surging. She stifled a frustrated groan. Her husband was in no shape to make love to her now, no matter how much she wanted him to.
When he drew her head toward him, she didn't resist, needing his kiss. He devoured her, like he always did, and her heart raced with excitement. She let him continue for a few more moments, his tongue tangling with hers. Then she drew away.
"Where are you going?"
"You need your rest, much as I'd like..." Warmth flooded her cheeks.
He arched an eyebrow. "I've dreamed of being here with you over the last months. And now you refuse me?"
"Nay, but you need to recover. You've been wounded."
His gaze grew intense and he sat up. He reached for her and she went willingly into his arms. Being held like this could almost make her forget all the troubles that had passed between them.
"Not terribly, and I've rested enough. Do you know, I came to an important realization these past few months?"
"What is that?"
"How much I've come to care for you."
Joy sang in her heart, her grin and laughter impossible to contain. She'd longed to hear such words from him. Tears of happiness blurred her vision. A deep breath steadied her senses.
"These months of being apart weighed heavily on my heart. I missed you terribly."
He remained silent, his penetrating gaze sendingtendrils of heat through her veins. He cupped her face in his hands and drew her near. The soft kiss he placed on her lips wasn't what she really wanted, but she made no protest when he pulled away.
"I love you, Wildcat." His golden eyes, one still half-shut, held her as surely as if he'd bound her with his ropes.
She froze, afraid that what she'd dreamed was just that. "You...what?"
"I said I love you. Don't you have something to tell me in return?"
She laughed, recognizing the demand in his question. Even longing for his love didn't stand in comparison to the reality. Surely, she dreamed, this fierce and suspicious earl admitting his feelings had once seemed impossible.
"Royce, I love you, I do." Tears ran down her cheeks, too many emotions coming together in a crazed whirlwind. The gentle stroke of his fingers as he wiped her tears nearly set her to weeping anew.
"Why do you cry?"
"Because I'm happy. I've hoped you might care for me, but that you love me... it's my deepest wish and it's come true."
"'Tis the babe that makes you weepy."
"Mayhap. But know this, Royce Langley, you've made me happier than I thought possible."
