Page 79 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance

“Together, Ryland. We do whatever must be done together,” she said.

He wrapped his arms around her and held her close, his heart thumping since it felt as if she told him she loved him, words he had no trouble saying.

“I love you, Esme, and always will.”

“And I will forever cherish that love.” She smiled. “Do you think I could pester you or are you too tired?”

Ryland chuckled. “I was about to ask you the same.”

He rolled her on her back, and it wasn’t long before gentle touches and kisses turned to moans and demands until their passions exploded together and once again, they lay satisfied and tired in each other’s arms.

Ryland drifted off to sleep soon after and Esme’s eyes grew heavy, though busy thoughts kept her from sleeping… until an idea struck her. It would work. She was sure of it. She would only need to get her husband to agree.

CHAPTER 22

“Bloody hell, woman, are you out of your mind?” Ryland said, stunned by her suggestion.

“Nay. I think it is a most reasonable solution to the problem and one that could get us much needed information,” she argued, the next morning while savoring the hot cider that had been brought to them.

“You want to walk into Gavin’s cell and ask him to tell you, his secrets? That’s your grand plan?” He shook his head, not believing what he was saying.

“I want to make him believe I wish to help him. That I, too, want to see Lord Torrance’s rule ended.”

His brow shot up. “And why would he believe that? He may be a traitor, but he’s no fool.”

“Because I will convince him I can no longer take the abuse. That I know someone wishes Torrance dead and me along with him and that I don’t want to die that I want to be part of the plan to see him dead.”

“You think he’ll believe you would betray me that you don’t fear me enough to be too frightened to do such a thing?”

“Aye, if I give him a good reason to,” she said, setting down her cup and rising off the bench to face him. “If I tell him thatTorrance treats me cruelly and that as his wife, I suffer endless bruises and tongue lashings, he’s bound to consider it.”

“Many wives sufferthat at the hands of their husbands,” Ryland said. “Why should he care?”

“Because I will tell him that I want desperately to live and repeat that my life is in danger being Torrance’s wife and that I discovered he intends to replace me with a new wife What other choice do I have if I want to live?”

Bloody hell if she didn’t make it sound like a feasible plan that could actually work.

“This is nonsense,” he snapped, turning away from her annoyed that he might consider it. “You think tears and a few whispers will loosen his tongue? He’ll laugh in your face or worse… he’ll suspect I have a hand in it.”

“He’ll believe me if…” she said, stepping closer, “you leave a mark on me.”

He turned, anger simmering in his eyes. “What?”

“A bruise,” she said calmly. “One he’ll see the moment I walk in. A mark that says I have reason to want you gone.”

He stared at her in disbelief. “You want me to hit you?”

“Nay,” she said softly. “One small mark on my cheek.”

“Absolutely not,” he said through gritted teeth, trying to temper his anger. “How can you even ask such a thing? I would never strike you.”

“I know that, but it’s the only way?—”

“Nay!” His voice thundered through the small dwelling and beyond. He took a breath, trying to calm the fury that rippled through him. “Your plan is one thing to consider, striking you is completely out of the question. You have no idea what you’re asking. I will never lay a hand on you, not even for pretense.”

Her voice dropped, steady and quiet. “You said you were willing to do what must be done.”

“Don’t twist my words,” he warned.

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