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“Enter,” came the harried reply. A voice that sent ripples of awareness through her.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Camden didnae need to look up to ken who had entered.

The very air shifted, seeming charged and alive, as though awareness moved ahead of her. He drew in a steady breath, set the glass bottle aside, and rose from his stool, bracing himself for whatever words she had brought with her.

When he turned, Anne stood just within the doorway.

For a moment he simply stared.

Her hair had been drawn back at the temples, the rest falling freely past her shoulders in soft waves that tempted him to touch. The light that fell over her from the doorway accentuated her features, lending her an almost unearthly glow. She wore no adornments, no ribbons, no jewels, yet she needed none. To Camden, she was a beautiful creature that stilled his breath.

He felt an ache of longing, to close the distance, to thread his fingers through those dark tresses, to reassure himself she truly stood there.

“Gowan told me what ye said.”

She set her basket at her feet and straightened. Her gaze met his, steady, searching, and something in his chest tightened.

“How fare ye?” she asked.

Without dwelling on whether or not he should, Camden stepped toward her, drawn as surely as tide to shore, yet he halted just shy of touching her. “My stomach was unsettled this morning,” he admitted. “But I fared better once I ate.”

She lifted her hand, fingers brushing gently against his cheek, and he leaned into the touch.

“That is an ugly bruise,” she murmured.

“Aye,” he said quietly, covering her hand with his own. “I discovered as much when I washed my face this morning.” His voice softened, guilt rising sharp and insistent. “I am so very sorry, Anne.”

Her brow creased. “Ye have nothing to apologize for. I ken what happened. It was nae yer—”

“No.”

The word escaped before he could temper it. He drew a breath, forcing himself to speak plainly. “What happened is partly my fault. I allowed Moyra’s attentions to continue when I should have made things clear. I knew her feelings were stronger than mine. That was arrogance. And it hurt ye.”

Anne’s eyebrow arched, approval flickering in her expression. “It is admirable for a man to consider a woman’s feelings.”

“My failure caused ye pain, the woman whom I love.” He faltered only briefly. “For that, I am truly sorry.”

He reached for her then, heart thundering, and brushed his lips over hers. When she didnae pull away, relief surged through him. Tentatively he deepened the kiss. And when she leaned into him and softened against him, Camden gathered her into his arms, holding her close.

Gratitude flooded him, fierce and humbling for the chance to recover what had nearly been lost.

When she sighed and slipped her arms around his waist, Camden could imagine no greater moment than standing there, wrapped in the woman who held his heart.

*

Heat stirred through Anne, bright and undeniable. Her pulse quickened, warmth spreading beneath her skin as she felt the strength of him around her, the steady presence she had come to crave.

She struggled to contain the rush of feeling, but the words escaped before she could call them back.

“I love ye, Camden.”

He stilled, then sagged slightly with relief, as though something tightly held had been released. He lifted his head, searching her eyes.

“I am a very fortunate man,” he said softly. His glance flicked toward the door, left slightly ajar. “Brae is away at archery camp.”

Anne blinked. “We are alone then?”