“He has the right, mistress. He should not have to hide his love for Selig.”
Brenna paled to a sickly white as soon as she asked the question. She did not hear the answer. She had trusted her long-kept secret to Leala because she lived with her and they had to communicate for Selig’s sake. And now, because of her anger, Garrick knew.
“I will go, Brenna.”
She looked back at him, startled. He was going to let her blunder pass, but she could not.
“You heard me speak your tongue. Why do you not accuse me of keeping this from you?”
Garrick shrugged. “You have been here long enough to learn it, Brenna.”
He was being too condoning and she could not stand it. “I was taught your language before I was brought here, Garrick. It was my one weapon against you that you could not take from me, even though I never made use of it.”
“I know.”
Her eyes widened. “You know?”
“Your aunt told me a long time ago. I sought to know more about you, and she told me much that was useful. You also spoke both tongues when you were sick with fever.”
“Why did you never say anything?”
“I wanted you to tell me,” he said levelly. “And so you have at last.”
“Only it does not matter now.”
“It matters.”
Brenna was shaken by the softness of his voice. He came forward until he stood directly before her. She met his eyes and there was no anger or hatred there, just the soft blue-green of shallow waters.
And then his arms pulled her to him and she felt her heart skip a beat. He kissed her, and great longing passed between them. All these many months she had tried not to think of him, for they had had more than a year of separation. Yet she wanted him so badly, and had tried to pretend otherwise.
He held her close, unable to do more because of Leala’s presence. Brenna wanted the moment to last forever, but there was a nagging devil in her mind that could not forget the past. What was happening was like a dream. It defied reality.
She gazed up at Garrick, her eyes a cloudy gray, seeking understanding. “What does this mean?”
“Spring is nearing, Brenna. My father has given his word that he will take you home.” He hesitated, fighting his pride.
“I do not want you to go.”
Brenna saw a glimmer of hope. “What then do you want?”
“I want you for my wife. I want to forget the past and start anew.”
His words were like music to her ears. To be his wife was what she had wanted so badly before, yet she had been willing to forsake that because he had been so against it. Why had he changed?
“Is it me you want, Garrick, or do you say this because you know when I leave I will take Selig with me?”
“I love my son. I cannot deny this.”
“And me?”
“I would not ask to wed you, Brenna, just to keep my son here. I want you more than any other woman.” He held her closer. “I have regretted a thousand times my rash decision to give you up. I have been miserable without you.”
“But do you love me?”
“After what I have said, how can you doubt it?”
At that moment, her joy knew no bounds. “Then you finally believe I told the truth, that I did not run away from you a second time?”
