Page 29 of Return to Clan Sinclair
He wasn’t going to be foolish like he’d been in the past. He wasn’t going to concentrate on getting Virginia out of Scotland as much as convincing her of his sincere feelings. Last time, he’d moved too swiftly and scared her. This time, she would know how much he loved her before they ever set sail again.
But first he would take care, seduce her with gentleness, convince her with reason. He would demonstrate to her just how much she meant to him and how unforgettable she’d been all these years.
He wasn’t going to resort to force like he had in the past. He was going to take Virginia to his house and convince her, by any means necessary, they’d wasted a decade of their lives. But it wasn’t too late. They could still find happiness together. All she had to do was to give him a chance to prove it. He would bring her the world if she wanted it. He could afford to take her anywhere, live anyplace she chose. Her future was not limited to Scotland.
He would take her to his home in Philadelphia, to the mansion he’d built with her in mind. He remembered the town house where they had once lived, and there were certain details common to both homes: the fan light above the front door, the brass knocker, the delicate roselike shade that was her favorite. He’d had rosebushes planted all over the grounds. She would love the home he’d created for her.
His investigation told him she’d had two more children. But they were of an age when they didn’t need their mother. She was free now, as free as he was, to pursue the happiness that had eluded them. She would understand, as soon as he had a chance to explain it to her.
He would show her how much he loved her.
By the time they left Scotland she, too, would be regretting the waste of the last decade.
CHAPTERTEN
“It’s a wondrous place, isn’t it?” Bruce said from behind her. She turned, her skirt twirling about her ankles. He was dressed, but it was evident from his wet hair he’d been swimming.
“I didn’t get a chance to admire the grotto the other day,” she said, her face flaming. She had been too busy fixated on something else: him. “It’s truly a miracle of nature, isn’t it?” She moved to stand below the opening in the ceiling. Sunlight beamed down on her, encapsulating her in a golden glow.
When she turned to look at him again, he was studying her.
“What?” she asked. She rubbed at her nose and then her forehead. “Have I something on my face?”
“Beauty,” he said.
He mustn’t say things like that.
He strode past her, turned and held out his hand. “Come, I’ll show you the beach.”
She shouldn’t take his hand. She shouldn’t be lured anywhere with him. Still, she put her hand in his, their palms pressing together. His skin was warmer than hers.
“Where have you been?” she asked.
He smiled. “Edinburgh. One of my operatives thought he sighted Henderson.”
Had her question revealed how much she’d missed him the past two days? How much she thought about him? She’d been worried he’d taken off for some imaginary duty to avoid seeing her, but the look in his eyes now proved her fears were ridiculous.
His glance warmed her down to her toes.
“I should run in the other direction,” she said. “As fast as my feet can carry me.”
“And I as well,” he said, smiling at her. “You take my mind from my work, Ceana Mead. I missed you. I wanted to do my duty and hurry back to Drumvagen.”
Her heart was thudding so hard she felt breathless with it.
“Did you?”
He nodded.
“Did you miss me?” he asked.
How much braver he was than she.
She nodded.
“Now I’m back, I’m wondering how I’ll be able to sleep with your door only a few feet away. Then I think of Macrath and how he’s not only my employer, but my friend. I doubt he’d approve of my taking advantage of his hospitality.”
His hands slid around her waist. Gently, he pulled her toward him.
