“And all the time I was in Scotland, you didn’t even send a message to me!”
“Butyouleftme!” he half shouted. “You should have sent a message to me!”
“Stephen Montgomery!” she gasped. “I did not leave you. You’ve just said you rode to King Henry. Was I supposed to sit and wait for your return? What should I have told your family, that you preferred a fat trollop to me? And after the things you said!” She looked away from him.
He put his fingers on her chin and drew her face back so she looked at him. “I want to know what I said. What made you leave me? I know you, and if it’d been only the wench you wouldn’t have left. You’d probably have taken a hot poker to her.”
“She deserved torturing!” Bronwyn said hotly.
Stephen’s tone was firm, almost cold. “I want to hear what you have to say.”
Although he was above her, she looked away. The tears came to her eyes easily. She’d never cried so much in her life, she thought with disgust. “You said I was selfish, that I was too selfish to love. You said I hid behind my clan because I was afraid to grow up. You said…you were going to find a woman who wasn’t cold and who could give you what you need.”
Stephen’s mouth dropped open in astonishment, then he started to laugh.
She looked up at him in shock. “I see nothing humorous in my faults,” she said coldly.
“Faults!” he gasped amid his laughter. “Lord! I must have been very drunk! I didn’t know anyone could get that drunk.”
She tried to roll away from him. “I will not be laughed at! Perhaps it’s my selfish nature that causes me to be unable to see the humor in your words.”
Stephen pulled her back to him. She pushed him, and for a moment he let her win the struggle, then, still laughing, he pulled her back under him. “Bronwyn,” he said seriously. “Listen to me. You are the most unselfish person I ever met. I have never seen anyone care so little for herself and so much for others the way you do. Didn’t you realize that that’s why I was so angry when you went over the side of the cliff? You had the power to order anyone else to go, or you could have done as Douglas advised and regarded Alex as dead. But not you! Not my dear, sweet laird. You thought only of the life of one of your clan members, not of yourself.”
“But I was so afraid,” she confessed.
“Of course you were! That just emphasizes your courage—and your unselfishness.”
“But why…?” she began.
“Why did I call you selfish? I guess because I was so hurt, because I love you so much and you didn’t love me. And to tell the truth you sometimes make me feel very mortal. I’m afraid I don’t have half your courage.”
“Oh, Stephen, that’s not true. You’re very courageous. You took on four Englishmen with only a bow when we were at Kirsty’s the first time. And it took great courage to give up your English clothes and become a Scot.”
“Become a Scot?” he asked, one eyebrow raised. He was very serious. “Once you said you’d only love me if I became a Scot.”
He waited but she made no answer. “Bronwyn, I love you, and the closest wish to my heart is that you love me also.” He put his finger to her lips and gave her a threatening look. “And if you repeat all that about ’of course we’re fond of each other,’ I may break your pretty little neck.”
“Of course I love you, you fool! Why do you think my stomach aches and my head swims when you’re near? And it grows worse when you’re far away. The only reason I went with Roger Chatworth was to prove to you that I wasn’t selfish. I would have done anything to make you love me.”
“Running off with my enemy is not likely to prove you love me,” he said coldly, then he began to smile. “Are you saying you love me or that I make you ill?”
“Oh, Stephen,” she laughed, realizing he believed in her. He didn’t accuse her of sleeping with Roger Chatworth. He was beginning to master his jealousy!
Suddenly they both stopped and stared. A sharp movement in her stomach had been felt by both of them.
“What was that?” he asked.
“It felt like a kick,” she said in wonder. “I think your child just kicked us.”
Stephen rolled off her and reverently caressed her stomach. “Did you know about the baby when you left me?”
“I didn’t leave you,” she pointed out, “but yes, I knew about it.”
He was quiet as he held his hand warmly against her bare stomach.
“Are you happy about our child?” she whispered.
“A little frightened perhaps. Judith lost her first child. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.”
