Page 61 of Fire in his Highland Heart

Blake shook his head. “I never expected...tae fall in love wi’ ye. An’ by the time I realized it was happening, I didnae ken what tae think or do.”

“The truth never occurred tae ye?”

“Thought it might scare ye away. An’...mayhap it did. I dinnae see ye at the castle any longer. Not even for Mirellain,” he said softly.

Arguen nodded, her hands occupied with making a crown out of the weeds. “Aye. I was angry. I dinnae think I am any longer; just hurt. And a wee bit disappointed.”

He heaved a sigh. “I understand. If ye dinnae want tae see me again--”

Her hand shot out and covered his own reflexively. “Nay. I do. I just...makes me wonder if ye trust me. If ye kept this important fact hidden from me, what else might ye keep from me?”

“I understand. Really, I do. This is the only thing I’ve ever kept from ye. I am truly sorry. I willnae ask ye tae forgive me. I ken I dinnae deserve it.”

Arguen only nodded. She could not bring herself to forgive him—not just yet. There was an awkward silence between the two of them. Blake was simply unsure of what to say, and without Arguen’s forgiveness, even though he knew he didn’t deserve it, he still felt that there were things between them that needed to be said.

“I’m worried,” Arguen blurted out.

“For what?” Blake asked. His dark eyes were so sincere and soft.

“Malcolm. If Marianne...er, Cataline...is capable of such wickedness, surely he an’ the rest of Bruckstone Castle are in danger.”

“Aye, I reckon so. That’s why I’m goin’ tae go there an’ straighten out this mess.”

“What do ye mean, straighten it out?”

“I mean...yer innocent. We ken ye are. Before Mirellain was born, she lost a babe in the same way ye described tae me. ‘Twas not ye, or witchcraft, or what other daft thing she claims ye did. I’ll clear yer name an’ expose Cataline for the fraud she is.”

Arguen’s stomach rumbled angrily, and she began to feel nauseated again. “Is she not the plottin’ kind? Will she not make up some story? She might claim yer a monster or a brute!”

“Ye’ve no need tae be afeared. I ken her character better than most. Plenty of folk here at Ernmore can attest tae it.”

Arguen nodded, taking in his words but also minding the churning of her stomach. “When will ye go?”

“Two days’ time,” he answered. “I’ll bring James wi’ me, an’ I thought perhaps ye’d like tae come.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “Blake, are ye mad? She’ll try tae imprison me again. I am technically an escaped fugitive, after all.”

“Dinnae ye worry, Arguen. She threw ye in the dungeons because she was angry. She cannae do it again. An’ I’ll be by yer side, tae protect ye at all costs. I promise.”

“Can I trust that promise?” she asked, her tone a little doubtful.

“Aye. And... didnae ye say ye missed yer home?”

She shrugged. “A bit. I’ve found myself trusted and liked here, though. I miss Douglas more than anything, an’ I pray for his safety every night.”

“Both of ye will be safe. I’ll be there. This can be part of my debt tae him.”

Blake rose and brushed the dirt off his breeches, then held out a hand for Arguen, who took it gratefully and rose. Her stomach was still queasy, and this conversation had not made it much easier.

“Two days. James an’ I will ride here in the morning on the day. If ye choose not tae come, I understand. But I do think ‘twill help yer case.”

“Aye. I’ll be ready then if I decide.”

Blake kissed the back of her hand ever so tenderly, dirt and all, before leaving the garden, mounting his horse, and galloping away. As soon as he was out of sight, Arguen turned around and retched over the side of her fence. She felt the slightest bit better afterward, but not cured. She simply hoped this was the extent of her illness, and wiped her mouth on her apron. Perhaps peppermint tea would settle her stomach and her nerves. She had a monumental decision to make in the next two days.

* * *

The next day, Arguen decided to call on Mrs. Kinney at the castle for help. For a while now, she’d felt nauseated and sore all over her body, no matter what she did. Various kinds of teas, a bland diet, and gentle stretching did not seem to ease the pain.