It was indeed this fiery nature that first drew his attention to her. What he found so very appealing. He perused the rest of her. That and her enticingly delectable body.
“Well?” Tadhg asked.
Peter had to drag his gaze away from her.
“Well?” Peter responded in kind.
“Do you deny you have compromised my sister?”
“You found us here in a compromising situation. Did you not?”
“You know that I did.”
“Then how could I deny what you saw with your own eyes?”
Tadhg looked slightly irritated. “You could perhaps explain how I was wrong.”
“Yes, you could do that. Peter?” Brighit’s sweet mouth parted as if she could somehow get the words she wanted him to say to come out if she just willed it.
He searched her face. She was not yet aware of how well they were matched. That had to be the reason she resisted. Showing her would be his greatest delight.
“Alas, I cannot.”
Indignation swept across Brighit’s face, her eyebrows raised in pleading. “No?”
“I am an honorable man as I’m certain you will learn soon enough,” Peter said to Tadhg.
Brighit froze. She stared at Peter.
“I do not believe an honorable man would have compromised such innocence in the first place.”
Peter’s mouth dropped open to defend himself before he realized the man was baiting him. The look of irritation had shifted into the sly look of someone testing his mettle. He tipped his head in acknowledgment but refused to agree.
The silence seemed to drag on forever as Tadhg awaited his response. Then finally he asked, “So you will do the honorable thing?”
“I always do the honorable thing.”
“And in this instance?”
“I will marry this woman if that is what you are asking.”
Brighit’s mouth gaped open. “No, Peter, do not let him force you.”
“Now how could anyone force me to do anything?” Peter said.
Peter bowed slightly. Brighit was beside herself, pulling on her brother’s arm. “Please do not make him do this! Nothing happened.”
“Is this true, Sir Peter? Brighit says nothing happened.”
When she turned toward him, Peter had the slightest inkling that she would perhaps never be satisfied with him if he was forced to marry her.
“You saw it with your own eyes,” Peter said then turned toward Brighit. “He can make me do nothing against my will. Never believe it.”
Confusion clouded her beautiful face. Brighit filled her lungs and backed away from them both. “And when exactly will this happen?”
“I will see you wed this very day. We leave at once for the Priory.”
“It’s not safe to go now, you imbecile,” Brighit said.
