“Could be,” he agreed amiably, “but I don’t think so.” He pointed ahead of them to the right. “That should be the coast of Ireland.”
In the darkness it was impossible to be sure, but she saw what looked like a large, darker blur against the dark backdrop. He’d already picked up the oars and started to row toward it.
The mass grew closer and closer. And as the darkness started to fade with the approaching dawn, she knew he was right: it was Ireland. The northeast corner, to be specific. She could just make out the chalky, white cliffs that had given the headland its name: Fair Head.
She couldn’t believe it. They just might make it. By luck or skill, she didn’t know, but he’d done it. They were no more than two miles from the coast. But it was no more than an hour before dawn; the first rays of orange sunlight were already peeking out above the black sky of the horizon.
“I hope you are ready to meet the king,” he teased.
Ellie froze. “The king?”
“After I meet your friend in Ireland”—she grimaced, realizing he meant the Irish scourge who’d wanted to kill her—”I’ll have to think of a way to explain your good health.” His eyes twinkled with mischief, as if he had an amusing secret. “You’ll come with me to Rathlin to join Bruce.”
He smiled at her as if he’d just given her a wonderful gift.
The blood drained from her face. “But you said you were going to take me home.”
He frowned, as if she was ruining his surprise. “But lass, surely you see that I can’t do that now. There isn’t time. Besides, I didn’t think you wanted to go.”
She didn’t. She did. He was confusing her.
But if he meant to take her to Bruce …
Ellie knew she couldn’t put it off any longer. She bit on her lip anxiously, her hands twisting in the folds of her cloak.
She had to tell him. Even though she knew that everything would change when she did.
But first she had to tell him how she felt, or she would never have a chance to know his true feelings.
“I love you,” she said softly.
He stopped rowing, the only indication that he’d heard her. His expression never flickered.
But then he smiled and broke her heart. She never knew that a heart could be eviscerated with kindness. But his gentle smile did just that.
“Ah, lass, I’m glad of it. Though I suspected as much after what happened in the cave this morning.”
She might as well have just given him a tasty apple pie like one of his other admirers, not her heart.
What had she expected? A return declaration?
Nay, but she’d hoped for something more than quiet acceptance and gentle affirmation. Some indication that he might care for her, that what they’d shared was special. Some indication that he might be capable of loving her back. Kindness was so much worse.
Her declaration was no different from the others he’d heard countless times before. He’d expected her feelings—perhaps even treasured them—but he would never return them.
Nothing penetrated.
Erik started to row again.
It wasn’t the first time a lass had confessed her love for him, but hearing Ellie say the words was different.
For one thing, it hadn’t given him that antsy, restless feeling that made him want to jump on the next ship. (He never actually did that, but instead started the gentle retreat of convincing the lass that she didn’treallylove him.) With Ellie, he didn’t get that feeling at all. Actually, hearing her say she loved him had made him feel … pleased. More than pleased. Proud, moved, humbled, and happy.
He told himself his reaction made sense: a wife should love her husband.
The storm had convinced him that he’d made the right decision. The fierceness of the passion that had overtaken them surprised him. He wasn’t ready to let her go. So he was going to keep her. The fact that she loved him should make her even happier.
But Ellie didn’t look happy. She looked as though she was going to burst into tears. That made him antsy. He adjusted hiscotun, but it didn’t help the discomfort in his chest. The tight ache that intensified when he looked at her.
