“Ye are a strong woman.”
“I don’t know about that. I stayed for six years.”
“But ye kenned to leave before it was too late.”
She had to tell him the rest. But the words hung heavy in her throat, cutting off her air. But she was all about honesty on this night. If they wanted to pursue a relationship, lord, is this what they were doing? She didn’t even know. One thing she did know was that if there was any chance for them, any at all, she needed to speak the truth. All of it. As ugly as it may be.
Even if it meant that he put her out on the street as he soon as he learned her secret. It was the only way she would be able to live with herself.
She was tired of hiding.
“There is one more thing. And it was the catalyst for me running that night and why I couldn’t wait any longer.”
Gunn studied her face as if he was trying to read what it was through her expression. He clasped her hand in his, his thumb stroking over her skin in a gesture that offered her comfort.
“Whate’er ’tis, I’m here. Ye are the strongest woman I have e’er kenned. To do what ye did, ye are amazing.”
She bit her lip, worried that he would want to take that back when he heard what she had to say.
He must have sensed that she was holding back. He squeezed her hand. “I’m no’ going anywhere, lass. Well, I may go down to Rochester and kill your husband, but other than that, I’m no’ going anywhere.”
She smiled, knowing he was trying to lighten the mood. Though she had no doubt that he could easily handle Victor.
She inhaled a shuddering breath and let it out slowly. Gunn was looking at her intently, urging her on.
Finally, she met his eyes, and blurted, “I’m with child.”
