Page 69 of A Virgin for the Beastly Highlander

“Are ye certain?” Conner asked as he fell back into his chair dumbfounded. He stared at the men in the room, studying each of their faces. Conner had known these men all his life and to hear them confess stunned him.

“Aye, M’Laird,” Sionn said, dropping his head. “There were nay guards in the cell watchin’ him. I asked everyone there twice. Even threatened them wit’ a night in the stocks.”

“Someone had to have let Joseph escape. And if there were nay one posted at the cell door, then it could be anyone,” Conner huffed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He knew all his hopes now rested on Damon dragging Joseph back. A pang of doubt plowed through Conner.

If Damon daesnea return wit’ Joseph, Olivia will live in fear and I cannae allow her to suffer such torment. The lass is so stressed as it is.

Conner lifted his head and looked at Sionn’s face before him. Nodding, Conner tried to wrap his mind around all the possibilities. A whisper of fear haunted him as he noticed Olivia lingering at the threshold of his study.

Rising, Conner tilted his head and studied Olivia as she paced. There was something clearly bothering her and he knew he had to be at her side comforting her.

“Excuse me,” Conner said to the elders and council. He rushed to Olivia’s side and lifted his hand to her shoulder. Olivia jumped with a start as her wide eyes fell on him.

“Ye startled me,” she said as she batted her hand like a fan.

“My love, what are ye doin’ here? I’m worried about ye.”

She stared at him, gnawing on her lower lip. There was a nervousness about the way she looked. Her eyes were too open and alert. Conner’s heart raced in his chest as he lured Olivia into his study. She shook head and pulled back, refusing to enter.

“Are ye alright?” Conner asked again, panic and fear ripping him to shreds.

“There is somethin’ I need to discuss wit’ ye,” Olivia mumbled as she straightened her back and squared her shoulders. “Alone if we could?”

Conner nodded as his chest tightened. All he could think about was what was going on with Olivia. The last time he saw her so tense was at their wedding. It was a sight that confused him as he ordered the room to be cleared.

Only when everyone was out of the study and the doors close, did Conner turn to Olivia. “We are alone now, what is it? Yer face tells me there is somethin’ wrong.”

“I daenae ken how to say this to ye,” Olivia said as she fiddled with her fingernails. Watching her pace the room didn’t help the anxiety rising in him.

“Ye’ve been poisoned, havenae ye?” Conner asked as he grabbed her, forcing her to stop and look at him. Olivia shook her head as she reached out for him. Her fingernails dug into Conner’s arms but he didn’t mind. The pain was temporary compared to what he would have to feel if she was on her death bed.

“Nay,” Olivia said drawing her hand to his face. A warning flickered through her calm, patient eyes. Conner couldn’t help but wonder if this is how he would remember her.

“Then what is it? Ye have me goin’ out of my mind right now,” Conner huffed as he tried to hold on to his sanity.

“Sit, please,” Olivia said motioning for the chair. Pulling in a deep breath, Conner sat on the armrest of the chair and crossed his arms.

“I’m sittin’,” he said growing more irritated by the second. If there was one thing he hated most in this world, it was surprises. Tears pooled in Olivia’s eyes as she dropped to her knees before him. Confused, Conner watched in silence.

“I daenae ken how to tell ye this,” Olivia said, staring at the floor. Conner relaxed his arms and tucked his knuckle under Olivia’s chin, drawing her eyes to him.

“There is nothin’ ye could ever tell me that will make me love ye less.”

“I’m wit’ child.” The words were out so fast that Conner flinched at them.

“What?”

Tears streamed down Olivia’s cheeks as her lip quivered like an arrow striking it’s target.

“I’m wit’ child,” she repeated. Shock struck him first. They were so random and out of place from everything that he expected to hear. Joy slipped into him, warming every fiber in his body. It took all but a single heartbeat for his mood to shift.

Conner rose quickly and tucked his arms around Olivia, pulling her off the ground. She gasped as he held her. There were no words that he could say to explain the pride that now filled him. Curling one arm around Olivia’s waist, Conner drew the other to her face. Leaning toward her, he crushed his lips to hers.

His kiss was hungry, yet tender as he poured out all his thoughts and feelings onto Olivia hoping she would know how happy he was. Slowly, her mouth moved with his until she had her fingers entwining through the hair at the nap of his neck. Never in all his life had he wanted someone so badly.

Conner pulled away and stared deep into Olivia’s eyes. Brushing his thumb over her cheekbone, he coaxed a smile from her.

“Ye have nay idea how happy ye have just made me,” he whispered.

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