“Ye didnae ken,” Hunter said finally, stopping short and turning toward Maxwell. “She didnae tell ye?”
Maxwell’s jaw tightened. “Nay.”
Hunter’s eyes narrowed. “And she was leaving?”
Maxwell’s gaze flicked to him sharply.
Hunter’s mouth twisted. “Aye. Isla told me. She was saddled and ready.”
Maxwell’s hands clenched behind his back. He did not deny it.
Hunter let out a harsh laugh. “God above.”
Maxwell’s voice came out low. “Say what ye want to say.”
Hunter stared at him for a long moment, anger building behind his eyes like a storm.
Then it broke.
“What the hell is wrong with ye?” Hunter snapped. “Ye married her. Ye took her name into our line. Ye took her body into yer bed, whether ye like to admit it or not. And still ye made her fear she could never be a maither.”
Maxwell’s jaw flexed. “I never —”
“Ye did,” Hunter cut in, stepping closer. “Ye may nae have said it with those words, but ye did it all the same.”
Maxwell’s chest tightened. “I had reasons.”
Hunter’s laugh turned sharp. “Aye. Yer reasons. Yer damned rules. Yer pride.”
Maxwell’s eyes narrowed. “Watch yer tongue.”
Hunter leaned forward. “Nay.”
The refusal was shocking in its honesty.
Hunter’s voice rose, not shouting, but fierce. “Ye daenae get to be laird and hide behind that title when ye’ve done something cruel.”
Maxwell’s nostrils flared. “Cruel.”
“Aye,” Hunter said. “Deplorable. Ye took away the privilege of motherhood as if it was yers to deny.”
Maxwell’s throat tightened. “Ye daenae understand.”
Hunter’s eyes flashed. “I understand perfectly. Ye think ye’re protecting people by controlling everything around ye. Ye think if ye keep the rules tight enough, nothing will go wrong. But all ye’ve done is choke the woman who is trying to love ye.”
The words hit hard.
Maxwell looked away, staring out the window at the courtyard where men were still cleaning blood from stone.
28
Hunter crossed the room and poured them another drink.
He sat down the glass on the table between them before he spoke again. His voice softened only slightly, but it was no less sharp. “Ye’re lucky she doesnae hate ye.”
Maxwell’s hand gripped the window frame. “She may.”
Hunter exhaled hard. “And now ye’ve got a bairn involved.”
