Page 43 of Taming the Scot
“Bronwen,” he said, glancing behind him to see that she remained rooted in the center of the ballroom, hands folded, head down. He hated seeing her like that. She looked lost, defeated.
This was not the fiery lass he knew. The one who’d felt confident enough to demand he carry her valise to her room after taking a position that hadn’t been offered to her and then promptly forced everyone to fall in love with her.
Dear God. He was in love with her.
Euan suddenly found it hard to breathe, to swallow. His fingers started to tingle, and a firestorm was racing up his arms and into his shoulders, centering in his chest. Love. He loved her. And admitting it to himself now was as if he’d taken a bullet to his heart. The thing he’d thought impossible—himself in love—was happening right now before his very eyes.
Bronwen was staring at him, studying him, a little tilt to her head. Could she tell what he was thinking? Feeling?
Euan cleared his throat, trying to ignore the emotions that had revealed themselves. “I can no’ presume to know what has ye afraid of returning to the city. And I can no’ demand that ye tell me. What I can convey to ye is that ye’ll be safe with me, with my family. We’d never let anything happen to ye.”
There was a whoosh of air that gushed from her—a sigh that was both surprise and defeat. When he looked back this time, she was staring at him, her mouth agape and blinking rapidly. She looked ready to panic.
“I’ll leave at once. Ye must be terribly disappointed,” she finally said.
Euan turned all the way around then, studying her with her spine so stiff, her fingers pinching and unpinching her skirt. Her face had paled, and she worried her lower lip. What did she mean, disappointed? What about his words had given her that impression? He wanted to walk over to her, gather her in his arms and soothe away whatever was going through her mind, but he was afraid if he did that, she would bolt.
“What could I possibly have to be disappointed about other than ye will no’ join me?” he asked.
Bronwen took a large breath, her face growing even paler than it had a moment before. “I’ve come here under false pretenses, Captain. I’m so sorry it took me so long to tell ye this. All I can do is beg your forgiveness and leave your family in peace.”
Euan shook his head, closing the distance by a few steps forward, but when she stiffened all the more, he stilled. “I’ve known for quite some time ye were here for reasons other than seeing my advert in the paper.”
Bronwen hung her head, her shoulders sagging. “I’m verra sorry to have deceived ye.”
Seeing her pain, her discomfort, caused him to feel a slice within his chest. “Bronwen, lass, I do no’ feel deceived. I want to help, but ye have to tell me what’s wrong if I’m to do it.”
She shook her head, glancing toward the exit. “There is nothing ye can help me with, and I fear I’ve imposed long enough.”
Euan tried to quell his exasperation. Why was she so insistent that she had to part from them? She might have lied about her reasons for coming, but he wasn’t mistaken in his impression of her feelings when she’d kissed him. That had been real; he was certain of it. “Why do ye no’ let me decide for myself whether ye’ve imposed. Are ye hearing what I’m saying, lass? I want to help ye. I do no’ want ye to go.”
Bronwen shook her head and side-stepped toward the door as if she hoped to slip out unnoticed. “I will only be in the way. If ye’re too busy worrying about me and what I’ve got up to, then ye’ll never be able to find a bride. I would never forgive myself if I ruined the chances ye seek.”
“I think ye give me less credit than I deserve,” he said. “What has ye so afraid?”
She shook her head, casting her gaze down at her feet. Euan closed the distance between them before she had a chance to disappear from the room as her body language suggested she would. With his finger pressed to her chin, he gingerly tilted her face up toward him and gazed into her gray eyes, which were quickly welling with tears.
He’d seen women cry a thousand times, he did have six sisters after all, but none had ever touched him as much as this. His heart felt as if it were seizing in his chest.
“I never meant for ye to find out. I only wanted…” But her voice trailed off as she looked up at the ceiling to control her feelings.
Euan stroked her cheek, brushing away a tear with the pad of his thumb. Her gaze gradually rolled back down to meet his. And he took her hand in his, squeezing gently. She didn’t let go, which he took as a good sign.
“How long have ye known?” she asked.
“As I said, I do no’ know the details, only that ye were seeking shelter.” He kept his voice soft, not a shred of judgment.
“Emilia?” she asked.
He shook his head. “My best mate Lorne is married to Jaime, Emilia’s employer.”
“Ah.” She nodded slowly.
“Likely, Emilia had to explain your use of the ship to Jaime, and Jaime confessed it to her husband. And when I wrote inquiring how to get into contact with Emilia to thank her for sending ye our way, he told me what had transpired, but none of them are aware of why lass. Emilia kept your secret safe. And now I hope ye will feel free to share your secret and know it will be safe with me.” He rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. “I meant what I said. I want to help.”
She leaned into his touch and then away again, fighting with her emotions as much as he was, he guessed. God, it was hard not to tug her against his chest, to impart some of his strength on her, or at least quell the fear she so clearly felt.
“I did need help. And I thank ye ever so much for allowing me into your home. To be a part of your family.” She squeezed his hand back, then retreated. “Ye’ve already helped me more than ye could know.”
