Page 100 of Scandalous: Family Ties and Spies

“Jamie.” Amalie stared at her cousin in horror at his callous statement. Her cousin arched his eyebrows at her before fixing a harsh glare on Valeran.

“Don’t Jamie, me. The bastard deserves to suffer for being such a goddamn bawbag,” her cousin snarled, using Amalie’s favorite insult to berate Valeran. “Don’t you, Val?”

“Couldn’t…afford to let…you—”

“May Angus Stewart forgive me for desecrating my ancestor’s Scottish tongue, but I should have beaten you myself, you eejit,” Jamie said through clenched teeth, seething with fury. “C should send you straight to an asylum for the rest of your life, Sommerville.”

“Peter…one death…too many…” Valeran’s voice died away as Jamie leaned toward him with a look of intense anger.

“You’re right, you sorry fuck, and you almost made it two deaths, didn’t you? What do you think that would have done to the family if you had died? What about Amalie?” Jamie snarled viciously. “Do you have any idea what you just put your wife through? She saw everything from the goddamn second floor of the orphanage. She thought you were dead, and she’ll be right, because when you’re well enough, I’m going to send you straight to hell.”

“Mouse..?” Horror resounded in the one word question as his hypnotic, silverly blue eyes fluttered open. She immediately glared over her shoulder at Jamie.

“Shut up, Jamie, or I’ll do what I did when ye were a lad. Ye ken I can make ye starve for a week with one jab of my fist. Ye will nae be able tae open your mouth to eat or speak.”

The fury on Jamie’s face didn’t abate, but he threw himself back against the sideboard of the cart. Then, after a brief moment, he ordered the driver to increase their pace. The moment Valeran snarled with pain, Jamie arched his eyebrow at his friend with a look of grim satisfaction.

“Are ye mad, Jamie. He’s in pain.”

“You aren’t any better, cousin. Val told you to stay inside, but did you listen? No. I swear to God, my life is plagued by the head-strong, reckless women in this family. Even Imogene has developed a stubborn streak.”

Jamie continued muttering beneath his breath as Amalie stared at him in bewilderment. Valeran squeezed her hand, and she immediately turned back to her husband. His sightless eyes blinked as if trying to find her shape as the cart rolled in and out of circular patches of light formed by the gaslight lanterns overhead. His beautiful, sensual lips were little more than a thin line as his face revealed his appalled horror.

“Mouse…true?” The pain in his voice nearly broke her heart, and she swallowed.

“It does nae matter. Ye dinnae leave me, because ye are a Rockwood, Lord Sommerville. Ye ken a Rockwood does nae give up, something your sore chest must be telling ye right now. I ken ye would nae leave me, because ye ken I would follow ye tae hell and oversee your punishment.”

Valeran’s face lightened with something Amalie could only describe as joy. Leaning over him, a teardrop rolled down her cheek to fall gently onto his face. His eyes closed, and she saw a single tear edge its way out at the corner of one eye to streak a path down to his temple and glorious dark hair. A small sound of remorse escaped her.

“Forgive me, mo muirninn. This mouse will nae ever doubt her beautiful, magnificent cat again, mo ghràdh. Never.” The promise made him grunt as he pulled her down for a soft kiss.

“I…love you…mouse.” Valeran’s words were a mere whisper as his hand cupped her smaller one that was pressed against his cheek. Suddenly, his fingers tightened on her neck. “Son? Did you…say my son?”

“Aye, ye stubborn bawbag of a mon. Ye got your wish. I am carrying your heir.” Amalie saw Valeran’s throat bob before a small smile tipped the corners of his mouth.

“Then…my mouse…will not be able to escape the cat.”

“Aye. She never will, mo ghràdh. She has nae wish tae escape,” her whisper pulled a sigh from him. Her heart overflowing with happiness, the mouse watched her cat drift off into a place where he didn’t hurt. He was hers, and she wouldn’t let him leave her.

Chapter 27

Amalie stared at herself in the mirror. God, she was huge. Wincing, she sighed with a sense of despair. A solid warmth pressed into her back as Valeran pulled her tight into his hard, muscular chest. If she’d not witnessed what had happened almost six months ago, it would be hard to believe the man holding her had ever been a pin cushion for a switchblade. Valeran’s large hand caressed her stomach.

“Is the babe kicking again, mouse?”

“No, I was—”

“Amalie.” The warning in his voice made her mouth twist in disgust, her eyes flitting toward the mirror.

“I was just thinking how much I miss making love tae ye.” At her reply, Valeran scowled darkly. Strong, tapered fingers lingered against the side of her neck.

“You know I can tell when you’re lying to me, don’t you?” The quiet anger in his voice made her sigh.

“Well, I’m not really lying,” she said. “I do miss you, mo ghràdh.”

“It’s only for a little while longer, sweetheart.”

“A lifetime ye mean. It’s all your fault ye ken. I would nae be this—”