Page 53 of My Highland Love

“It would be wrong of me to let you go,” he interrupted gruffly. “You should never have run off in the first place.”

“But you were going to let me go,” she insisted.

He shrugged. “I was considering it, but I hadn't made up my mind either.”

Elise jumped up and whirled on Marcus. “This is your fault.”

“My fault? This was your idea.”

“Now, lass,” Cameron interjected, “tomorrow Marcus will deal with Margaret and she'll never interfere again.”

Elise turned on Cameron. “Cameron, please—”

He brought his palm down on the table. “Enough.” He looked to Marcus. “Marcus, take her upstairs and put her to bed—once and for all.”

Marcus took hold of her arm. She started to resist, but Cameron gave a single shake of his head. Marcus prodded her toward the stairs and her shoulders slumped.

“This is wrong,” she said, taking the stairs with deliberate slowness.

“It's finished,” Marcus replied.

“You have nothing to say about it.”

“I have been patient,” he said, as they reached the top of the stairs.

“I never asked for your patience.”

He placed a hand on her back and urged her down the hallway at a quicker pace. “Count yourself fortunate that's what you've gotten. Now go to bed.”

They came to a halt before her bedchamber door.

“I'll go to bed when I am good and ready,” she retorted.

Marcus leaned in close behind her. “Go to bed before it's too late.”

She shook her head.

“You play a dangerous game.” He opened the bedchamber door and shoved her inside.

“What the devil are you talking about?”

He stepped into the room, shutting the door behind him. “By God, did your husband teach you nothing of respect? What of trust”—desire flared to life inside him—”or…desire?”

Elise paled.

Marcus started at her sudden expression of pain. “Bloody hell.” He reached her side in an instant. “Forgive me, love.”

She turned away, but he grasped her shoulders.

“Please go,” she said, her head averted.

“Did you love him deeply?” Marcus asked. She grasped his wrist and tried to disengage them from her hands, but he tightened his grip. “Elise?”

She lifted her head and met his gaze. “No.”

Marcus blinked. Her eyes widened and he was unsure if he read fear or remorse. “What happened?” he asked.

Her expression hardened. “That is none of your concern.”