Page 75 of The Highlander's Pirate Bride

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

How can I face Maxwell, when I ken he must hate me now?

Maxwell followed the guard into the room, his face like thunder as he caught sight of her seated at the table. He turned to his brother. “What is she doing here? Ye said ye would place her in the pit.”

A ghost of a smile crossed Everard’s features. “Ye begged me tae spare her. I decided tae bring her here rather than place her in the pit. Where she went next depended on what I heard when I questioned her.”

Aileen’s heart skipped at Everard’s words. Maxwell had saved her from the dungeon. Mayhap she could hope he had feelings for her.

“Come in and sit, braither.” Everard gestured toward another seat at the table. “I asked the lass if she cared fer ye. I thought it wise fer ye tae be present tae hear her answer.”

Both men turned to Aileen.

She shook her head. “I’ll nae answer yer question, milord.” As she glanced from brother to brother, she saw Maxwell’s anguish written in his eyes. The sight of him struck her a blow to the heart. “Ye’ve nay right tae ask it of me. Me answer is only fer Maxwell’s ears.”

Everard turned to Maxwell. “Yer lady speaks well. Her story has the ring of truth.” He offered a wry smile. “I believe she was prepared tae sacrifice herself – foolishly, but courageously – in an attempt tae divert Sutherland from his path of vengeance toward the MacNeils.”

He rose to his feet. “Ye two have me blessings.” With that, he pivoted and walked to the door, leaving Aileen and Maxwell alone.

Aileen held her breath under Maxwell’s impenetrable gaze. Could she speak of the way she’d come to care for him as they journeyed together? Could she tell him how she’d feared for him at the hands of Sutherland? Could she tell him that he was everything to her?

Could she speak of love?

She wanted nothing more than to be enfolded in his arms, to feel his warmth against her and the beating of his heart in time with hers. She wished for his breath in her hair, the musky, whisky scent of him.

But he sat, gravely watching, his pale-blue eyes cold.

She offered a tentative smile hoping for one in return. “It seems yer braither believes I spoke the truth.”

He huffed, shifting in his chair, folding his arms. “That may be. But I wish tae hear yer story. Why were ye intent on going tae Sutherland. What is he tae ye?”

It was only then she understood. He was jealous. He’d believed she’d tried to return to Sutherland as his mistress. She had to speak up and make him understand that would never be so.

“Andrew Sutherland is naught tae me but a cruel torment. I wished tae find him on the Small Isle, but I thought only of ye, Maxwell. I have nay wish tae ever set eyes on that ugly snake calling himself a laird. Sutherland is beneath me contempt. ‘Tis true that I was sailing fer Canna, but that was only so I could try and dispel any idea he might have of laying siege tae Castle Kiessimul. I thought, nay, Ihoped, that if I sacrificed myself, I could persuade him tae spare the MacNeils.”

Maxwell straightened, his eyes on her seeming warmer than before.

“Ye wished tae persuade him against any attack?”

“Aye. I thought he might be satisfied with punishing me and leave the rest of ye alone.”

“Why didnae ye say anything tae me? Ye preferred tae go behind me back Aileen… We were supposed tae trust each other, tae be… ateam. I - I was so confused that I thought ye wished tae return tae his bed.”

She shook her head fiercely. “Never.” She gave a short, sharp laugh. Even now, Maxwell didnae understand thathewas her lover and it was only his bed she wished to share.

She captured his blue gaze in hers, praying he could see the truth of her words reflected in her eyes. “As a man, he is naught beside ye. He is arrogant and cruel where ye are humble and gentle. Ye are stronger, truer, fairer, better in all way. I could never love a man such as he. There is only one man whose bed I shall ever wish tae lie in.”

“Only one man’s bed. And why is that?”

“There is only one man whose caresses can blot out the world.”

She glimpsed a hint of a smile quirking his lips. “And what kind of a man could ye love?”

“The very same kind of man as ye.”

The quirk widened into a smile that met his eyes and she felt her love for him blossoming in her heart.

“’Tis ye, Maxwell. Ye are the only one I could ever love. ‘Tis yer bed I wish tae lie in.”

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