The gentle teasing suddenly vanished. His face grew painfully serious. She didn’t think there could have been a more awkward silence.
Her heart wrenched. She felt like a fool. He’d never made her any promises. But he wouldn’t want to do that…would he?
It would break her heart.Heartbreaker…
That was what he did, wasn’t it?Not to me. This is different.
“I hope I can do that,” he said.
Cate’s chest was burning, but she told herself not to overreact. “How long were you with Isobel, Gregor?”
His expression hardened. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“How long?”
“Nearly two years.”
“Did you bed other women when you were with her?”
“No.” He seemed surprised by the admission.
“That’s because when you care about someone you are loyal. And I have every intention of having you care about me very much.”
Their eyes held, and something strong and powerful passed between them. Her chest swelled, knowing he already did. It wasn’t a promise, but it was the makings of one.
He handed her the box. “This belongs to you now.”
“What is it?”
A small smile curved his mouth. He repeated her words back to her, “Why don’t you open it and see.”
Lifting the top, she drew in her breath. On a bed of velvet was the ring his mother had worn until her death. It was gold, with a large oval crystal in the center and lions’ heads engraved on either side. Hand shaking, she took it out from the box.
“It’s a charm stone,” he said. “There’s an engraving on the inside.” She held it up to the candle to read it.“‘S Rioghal mo dhream,’”he said for her.
Royal is my race.
The words taunted her. Stricken, she stared at the ring, not knowing what to do. She couldn’t put it on.Impostor.
“It’s the motto of the MacGregors,” he explained.
She blinked at him for a moment in confusion, and then sighed with relief. “Of course it is. I’ve seen it inscribed on your bow and sword.”
The MacGregors claimed descent from Gregor, the son of King Kenneth MacAlpin, the first King of Scots. How could she have forgotten? For a moment, she’d thought it was a cruel jest.
She slipped the ring on, holding her hand up and letting it catch the light. “I shall be honored to wear it.”
“My mother would be happy.”
Cate’s heart tugged at the memory of both women who would have been pleased. She wished they could be here to share this with her—with them. “Aye, she would,” Cate agreed.
“Happy Christmas, Cate.”
“Happy Christmas, Gregor.”
And with one more kiss, he sent her back to her bed—alas, alone.
Seventeen
