Page 165 of Bride of Fire
And as wicked as it was, she even considered breaking the wheel of one of his carts or setting fire to his supplies to delay him.
She watched him as he stared at the ceiling, deep in thought.
Not for the first time, she wondered why she couldn’t confront Morgan the same way she confronted everything else. Without hesitation. Without artifice. Directly. The same way she released arrows. Straight and to the point.
Why was that so difficult when it came to addressing Morgan?
She should look him in the eye. Stand firm. Speak frankly.
But the truth was she was afraid of his reply. She was afraid he might not feel the same way she did.
What if his heart didn’t race every time she walked into a room?
What if his breath didn’t catch every time she smiled at him?
What if his soul didn’t ache at the thought of never seeing her again?
Delaying that conversation kept hope alive for her, she realized. Hope of a lifetime with him. Hope of being a mother to Miles. Hope of adopting this clan as her own.
She’d been utterly charmed by Morgan’s son. She’d grown terribly fond of Bethac and Cicilia. She’d bonded with the mac Giric archers as if they were her own men. And Morgan… There were no words to describe the love she felt for him.
How could she watch them walk away forever?
If Morgan refused her, theywouldwalk away. And all her hopes would be dashed.
But whywouldn’tMorgan wish to go home? He’d lost his wife, and he already had an heir. What use did he have for another? In the Highlands, he probably had a whole bevy of willing lasses he could swive to his heart’s content, without commitment or even affection.
Jenefer hoped he wanted more than that. She wanted to believe he loved her.
He’d told her so once.
But words spoken in the heat of battle couldn’t be trusted.
She swallowed down fear. She couldn’t put off the confrontation forever. The longer she waited, the harder it would be.
“Morgan!” she blurted before cowardice could curb her tongue.
He turned to her in startled concern. “Aye?”
His captivating eyes, still smoldering from passion, made her stumble over her words. “I… I…”
She glared at the ceiling. She couldn’t do it. She suddenly realized it was too soon. It would be too easy for him to tell her nay.
If she could only keep him at Creagor a little while longer. Maybe until spring. Long enough to fall in love with her…
Chapter 68
Morgan held his breath, waiting for Jenefer to finish.
Was it possible she’d finally stopped beating around the bush and intended to ask him to be her husband?
She’d averted her gaze. Her fingers were clasped together tightly enough to snap a birch arrow in half.
At last she seemed to screw up her courage.
“I have a proposal—”
“Aye!”
