The flatness of her voice seemed to take him aback. “What do you mean no?”
“I will not go back to Gylen—especially with Fin. Aren’t you curious about why I left? Your foster brother attacked me, Eoin. He kissed me, and I believe he would have tried to force me, if I hadn’t managed to get away.”
Eoin looked absolutely stunned. “Jesus, Maggie. Are you sure? Maybe there was some kind of misunderstanding? He’s married to Marjory now.”
“Of course I am sure, and there is no misunderstanding. Your sister saw everything, although she convinced herself that I kissed him.”
He didn’t say anything, but for one moment—one fraction of an instant—she saw the question in his eyes, and it felt as if he’d stabbed her with a dagger, so sharp and piercing was the blow.
She stared at him in disbelief. How could he claim to love her and believe that of her—even for an instant?
It seemed the final blow. She was tired of jealousy, tired of suspicion, tired of the distrust, but most of all she was tired of being alone. He had never really committed to her or to their marriage.
“Go to hell, Eoin. And don’t bother coming back.”
His frown turned fierce and angry. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means I’m done waiting for you to trust me. I’m done trying to prove myself to you. How could you think for one moment...?” She stopped, taking a deep breath through the ball of hurt burning in her chest. “I will no longer defend myself to you or anyone else. I won’t be half a wife. I won’t be a dirty little secret to hide away in some castle for you to swive whenever the urge strikes. This was a mistake.”
There was a note of finality in her voice that must have alerted him. “That isn’t how it is, Margaret. If you would just try to see things from my perspective. I’ve made vows. I have a duty.”
“What about your vows and duty to me? You say you love me, but this isn’t love, Eoin. This is loneliness, secrets, and suspicion interspersed with moments of physical pleasure.”
He stared at her. The helplessness in his eyes tore at her, but she held firm.
“I’m doing the best I can, Maggie. I know this has been difficult, but please try to be a little more patient.”
“No,” she said, and then repeated more firmly, “No. I’m done being patient. I want all of you. If you leave now without me, don’t bother coming back.”
She knew he didn’t like ultimatums, but she would not back down. Not this time. They couldn’t go on like this. There would be nothing left.
Maybe there was already nothing left. His expression had turned to ice, cold and hard. “Is that what you really want?”
Her insides knotted. “Aye.”
She wanted to call the word back as soon as she said it, but she knew it had to be said. He had to choose.
She just didn’t think he’d choose to leave her.
15
MARGARET LOSTsense of time. She didn’t know how long she sat at the base of the tree sobbing. A minute? Two? Ten? But suddenly Brigid was there.
“Maggie! Thank goodness, here you are! Didn’t you hear me calling you?”
Margaret lifted her head and met her friend’s gaze in the moonlight.
Brigid paled, her eyes widening in horror. She raced forward to kneel beside her. “Dear God in heaven, what has happened?”
Margaret blinked through the tears of her swollen eyes and shook her head, her throat too tight to respond.
“Did Tristan do this to you?” Brigid said. “I was worried when I saw him come back to the castle without you in such a temper. Oh God, please tell me my brother didn’t force you?”
Only then did Margaret realize the state of her clothes. She hadn’t tied the laces of her gown where Eoin had loosened them, and she probably bore his mark where he’d ravaged her mouth and throat with his kiss. Following the direction of Brigid’s gaze, she looked down and saw the scratch low on her bodice that must have been from his beard.
She shook her head. “N-not T-Tristan.”
Margaret could see the relief on her friend’s face, before it hardened into steel. “Then who? Who did this to you? We must get back to the castle to tell your father.”
