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“It seems your visit went well then,” Aidan allowed.

Graeme smiled. “Very well.”

His brother’s head jerked up. But Graeme would not get into the rest of it now. His wife should be the first to know, and he was anxious to see her.

“What is it?” Aidan asked.

But he was already walking away.

35

Gillian turned to the other side, propping the pillow behind her for support. Her bare arms were cool, so she pulled up the coverlet as well. It was the darkest time of night, but something had woken her. The fire that had died out? The chill she so despised?

The door clicked.

Although Gillian couldn’t see Graeme, she knew immediately her husband was back. An odd time of day to return to Highgate, but his actions had ceased to surprise her.

She kept her eyes closed, waiting, and wasn’t disappointed. He sat on the edge of the bed, close enough that his warmth filtered to her. Gillian turned and opened her eyes.

Graeme was looking at her with such intensity the hairs on her arms stood up despite being covered. He didn’t say a word or make a move to touch her. But his gaze, initially curious, had heated with desire.

The same wicked-hot desire that had been between them from the start, from the first time their eyes had met in that garden.

He looked at her like that now, but he didn’t make a move to touch her. “You’re awake?”

“Aye . . . You’re back very late,” she offered.

“We returned in haste.”

She did not take her eyes from his.

“I wanted to be with you,” he said.

Gillian had so many questions, but she found herself saying, “You left without a word.”

Out with it all, Gillian. ’Tis no time to lose your tongue.

“You acted peculiarly at dinner and then left the next day . . . without even a simple goodbye.” She couldn’t keep the bitterness from her voice. “And then again on an errand that could have easily been run by another messenger. Do not deny it.”

The corners of Graeme’s mouth turned down before he spoke. “When your sister asked about the tapestry, I saw the look in your eyes. And it occurred to me finally . . . I realized how you truly felt about me.”

Gillian sat up, now completely awake. His gaze burned a path to her heart. When a swath of unkempt hair fell into his eyes, she reached out and moved it away.

“I left that night, not ready to accept that I deserved you.”

There was more. Gillian was sure of it.

He reached for her, and when their hands touched, her entire body tingled. His hand, always so warm and protective . . . she would be content to simply lie here and hold it for hours. Days.

“I needed to do something to make it right. So I traveled to Kenshire, spoke to Waryn, had our meeting, and spent each night since tormented with thoughts of telling you. Showing you.”

He took a deep breath. “I love you, Gillian.”

She froze. “What did you say?”

“I love you. I am glad to have been caught in the garden with you. Overjoyed, in fact, that we were forced to marry. Because it brought a proper English queen into my life, one whose kindness and curiosity compelled me since the day we met. If you wish to explore what we have first, get to know each other, and someday—”

He abruptly let go of her hand and stood, crossing his arms and watching her reaction.