She shook her head. “You do not have to do that, Duncan.
You could simply let it go.”
“Nay, I cannot.”
She strode toward him. “Yes, youcould. You refuse to do it only because you refuse to let go of your anger and hatred.”
He crossed thegalleryand stood in front of the hearth with his back to her. She waited for him to say something.
Anything. To respond to her plea for mercy.
“You want to disarm me, lass. You want to temper my rage.”
“Yes, I do. But do you consider that an undesirable quality—to be at peace, and without anger?”
He paused. She wished she could see his face.
“I cannot answer that.allI know is that you move me like no other woman. When I woke this morning and you were gone, and I imagined you rushing into the arms of that swine, I was enraged. I want you, lassie. I want you badly enough that I’lldo anything to keep you for myself, and to keep you away from him.”
“You’lldo anything?” she said. “Even surrender your vengeance?”
He faced her at last and frowned.
Slowly, she approached him. “I believe that you are capable of compassion, Duncan. I’ve seen it in you. I’ve felt it in your touch. You did not deprive me of my virtue when you had the chance. That man who held me in his arms last night, he was kind and gentle and…” She stopped for a moment and redirected her thoughts. “I could never marry the Butcher.
I cannot be a part of that world. I cannot turn a blind eye to death and murder, nor could I ever grow to care for you if you continued on this path of savagery.”
There wasstilla hint of anger in his expression, but he seemed at leastwillingto listen. “Are you giving me an ultimatum?” he asked. “Are youtellingme that youwillnot be my wife unless I lay down my weapons?”
She hesitated, uncertain suddenly about what she wasalluding to, standing here on the brink of something very different from the future she’d imagined for herself. Was she truly negotiating a marriage? Or was she simplystalling for time so that she might escape him again? She had not had adequate time to consider this. He wasstillthe Butcher and always would be. That history could never be erased. He would always live under the shadow of the dead. His heart would be forever scarred by the lives he had taken.…
“Would you agree toallowthe courts to carry out justice and decide upon Richard’s punishment, if he is found guilty?” she asked.
He scoffed in disgust. “You’retellingme that you’d bewillingto sacrifice your body and soul tome,a sinner bound forhell, in order to save that dirty piece of filth from the blade of my axe?”
God help her …
She nodded.
But did she truly intend to become his wife?
His eyes narrowed. “I’llnot lie to you, lass. If I make this pledge, Iwillkeep my word as a matter of honor. I’llnotkillRichard Bennett. But this marriage—itwillbe a real marriage. Iwillhave you in my bed, and youwillgive me children.” He strode closer to her. “And I’d need a pledge from you aswell. I have a responsibility to my clan and those rebels who havefollowedme. I need to ensure their safety and protection. I need to know youwillnot expose them.”
She watched him warily. “You would insist that in return for your vow to spare Richard’s life andallowthe courts to judge him, that I would keep your secrets?”
“Aye.” He stood with his hands at his sides, staring at her intently.
“WhatwillAngus say?” she boldly asked, knowing that the question would unsettle Duncan. “Hewillnot approve, so Iwillneed you to protect me from him.”
“I would.”
Amelia was having trouble breathing. When she failed to give him an answer, he took hold of her chin and careful y lifted her face to study it. “Buttellme this, lass. How do I know I can trust you?”
“How do I know I can trustyou?”
They stared at each other while the light in the room grew dim. The sun had moved behind a cloud.
“I do care for you,” he said at last, and she was surprised by the hint of vulnerability she sensed in his voice. It was not something she had heard before. “I mean to keep you safe, and youwillbe, if you agree to be my wife.”
