Page 65 of Betrayed by His Highland Wife

A crushing heat came upon him. Instantly, William felt his cheeks burn up. "Och, aye!"

Shiftily, he fiddled with the key in the lock. It was rusty but turned with a loud snap. Finally, the door was open. There was Nora, huddled on the bed. When she saw him, she flinched.

"Nora?" he said, his eyes trying to pick her out in the darkness. Nora appeared to be hiding from his gaze. Groping forward, William made it to the edge of the bed. Gingerly, he sat down.

"William, I am sorry. I…" Nora almost leaped from the bed as if fearful of him. Shards of hurt dug into William. What was she thinking?

He saw her face, wary and uncertain, and felt his heart sink. She did not trust him. Maybe she never did. Taking a step back, he nodded.

"I didnae come here for an apology," he said blankly. He ran his eyes up and down over Nora. She was still the same lass as before, but somehow, he was not sure he knew her.

She was crazed, bewildered. Casting a strewn eye over, William saw her fatigue. Her hair unfurled crazily around her neck, and her undergarments revealed a tantalizing chink of cleavage. In her hands, she clasped a prayer book tightly.

William could not help being curious. She was praying? For what?

"Well, what did ye come here for, William?" asked Nora, puzzled. She raised her eyes watchfully.

"I came here to hear the truth," he said, his eyes meeting hers.

Despite trying, it was impossible for him to wrench them away. She was alone, undone, distraught. Her hair was frazzled and her eyes red from crying. William felt a little dig of guilt, even though that was crazy. It did not matter what she looked like nor what she had done. He was still hopelessly and wildly attracted to her. But he hung back for fear of giving himself away.

"The truth?" she asked, her green eyes flashing with uncertainty.

But William just barked. "Aye, maybe 'tis a foreign word to ye!"

Nora dropped her eyes, and William instantly felt guilty. However, Nora just nodded.

"Aye, perhaps it is," she conceded.

This surprised him. Looking about, he found her demure and chaste. Suddenly, she was wrapping the blankets around her for decency.

William watched her slender curves disappear in the shroud and shook his head.

"I couldnae do it, William, I promise," said Nora, huddled in the blanket. She tried her hardest to connect with him, but he would not have it.

"So Fiona said," said William curtly. "But I need to hear it…"

"Well, hear it!" insisted Nora, raising her voice coldly. "Ye have to believe me, William, the plan wasnae mine. I wanted to stop it, but my father said he would kill us both!"

She stared at him imploringly. Her eyes won him over. There was no way he could resist. Now he was homed in on her; inside, a hot surge of lust rocketed him. It was stupid, but he could not see past it.

"That is why ye ran?" he said uncertainly. "Ye werenae just trying to lure me to a lonely spot to brutally murder me?"

William's voice came shakily. He could not help it; he was overcome with emotion.

But Nora was clear.

"Nay," she said firmly. "Far from it… I wanted to run as far as I could from my father an' his horrible plan."

Her eyes shone so brightly. At that moment, William knew that she meant it. An instant rush filled his heart. It was all he needed to know. He extended his hand to her, squeezing her softly. Nora looked at him, tears in her eyes.

"I couldnae have done it, even if I didnae fall in love with ye—which I did!"

William caught his breath. Had she just said what he thought? Suddenly, intense breathing dogged him. But he did not care. Pressing forward, he stroked her gently.

"I dinnae care what ye do wi' me. Throw me in the dungeons, and do what ye want wi' my father," she blurted, her eyes pink and crying.

William felt his own pain.