“How cozy,” he said at last, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Am I interrupting?”
His words made Kate feel unaccountably guilty, but quick on the heels of her guilt came anger. How dare he? Talon Montgomery meant nothing to her. Nothing. He was her brother-in-law, and she couldn’t let him be anything else.
Daniel lifted his head and met Talon’s glare straight on. “Bugger off, Talon. My wife and I are finally getting to know each other.”
Talon frowned and shifted his gaze back to Kate. For a moment, she thought he was going to protest, and she wished with all her foolish heart he’d stay.
“I’m glad to see you’re feeling better,” he said. Then he turned and left the way he’d come.
Daniel gave a soft laugh and sat back on his heels. “Poor sod. He’s quite smitten with you.”
Kate’s stomach twisted in panic. Did Daniel know? Was he aware she’d let Talon kiss her twice and touch her in the most intimate way?
“It’s all right,” Daniel assured her. “I don’t mind if you have an affair. I can’t expect you to remain faithful to me. You’re a young, vibrant woman. You deserve to be loved.”
“I’m your wife,” she whispered, stung. “I’ll admit I’ve been angry with you and I was tempted to do something spiteful, but it will never happen again. I’ll stand beside you. I swear it.”
A pained expression crossed his face, and for a moment she was certain her words had upset him, but then he gave her a wry smile. “I’m glad.”
She did her best to return his smile, but inside her heart was breaking. She knew what she was giving up—Talon and the kind of passion she’d only dreamed about.
“Well,” he murmured, getting up and grabbing a deck of playing cards from the desk. “Now that everything’s been settled, can I corrupt you further and teach you some card games? I’ve been going out of my mind with boredom.”
“Yes,” Kate agreed, determined not to dwell on what might have been. “I’d like that very much.”
