“So how have things been here? You missed me enough to move to the nun’s quarters?”
“I did. This room was exceedingly empty without you.”
He kissed her again. “I’m sorry I had to leave you so soon. I hope to not leave you again for a very long while.”
Her pupils widened.
“How did you spend your days?”
“Well, the nuns work very hard. So I worked very hard.”
“Were you careful?”
She narrowed her eyes. “Careful? What do you mean?”
Peter glanced away. “Just were you careful of yourself? Not working too hard?”
“I’m a strong woman. I can work hard.”
He turned back to her. “Is there nothing you wish to share with me?”
“No.”
He had a hard time hiding his disappointment. A deep sense of loss tripped along his spine. “Is there a reason you’re wearing the nun’s robes?”
Her throat constricted. “Peter. I wanted you to know—”
No! “I remember something else.”
“This is very difficult for m—”
He put his finger to her lips. “Do not.”
They stared at each other and he knew she was going to try and send him away. All the clothing, the work, and leaving this room were all in preparation of her telling him goodbye. He had to convince her to change her mind.
“There’s one thing you should know for certain. When we were in the shelter to get out of the storm and you offered yourself to me, I realized something that I don’t think you understand. Do you know what that is?”
“That we are very well matched in bed.”
Peter bit his lip to keep from smiling. “And do you know why that is?”
She lifted a shoulder. “No.”
“When you offered yourself to me, I realized you were always mine. I realized how much you meant to me. I realized that I would be lost if I ever had to give you up.”
Her eyes widened and she sat up beside him.
“I realized I was in love with you.”
“Peter, I—”
“Let me have my say. When your brother would have taken you away from me, I realized I could never let you go. So I played on your brother’s anger and sense of honor. By marrying you, I would never have to be without you.”
Peter took her hand to his lips, his eyes still on her face, and kissed the palm of her hand. “I love you, Brighit. You make me complete. I will spend every day of our lives together seeing to your happiness because of how much happiness you’ve given me.”
Brighit wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close against her. “Did you hear me when I told you I loved you? I do, Peter. I love you.”
“My heart soared when you spoke those words to me. I vow to never make you regret marrying me.”
