Page 22 of Her Reluctant Highlander Husband

“You’re beautiful, Dorie. I wish I could be a real husband to you.”

The smile faded and she touched her lips with two fingers as if to hold the feeling in place. She gave a small nod and lowered her gaze to her hands. He’d hurt her again without meaning to.

He cleared his throat and got to the point of his visit. “The reason I stopped by was to make sure you are well. I’m sorry I put Liam to watching you without talking to you first. I’m used to having my orders followed, but you’re not one of my soldiers. I was worried whoever tried to poison you might try something else, and I want you to be safe.” He cleared his throat. “You’re my wife and it’s my duty to protect ye.”

She nodded, still not looking at him. It was time to change the subject.

“I also wanted to make sure you have enough supplies. I was told you visited the kitchen. I hope you learned more from the ladies than just bawdy talk.”

Her cheeks turned a lovely rose, and he knew it was now a different reason that kept her from looking at him. He stood to go, and she jumped up and reached for him but let her hand fall back to her side without touching him.

He wished she would have made contact as much as he wished she wouldn’t have tried.

“Did you need something before I go?”

She turned quickly and looked from one place to the next. A low sound of frustration came from her throat. He wasn’t sure, but he thought maybe she was frantic to find some reason for him to stay.

Maybe if she’d talk to him, he could sit with her and they’d chat about the situation and how to move forward.

“Dorie, I know you don’t talk, but…I think maybe it’s more that you don’t want to, rather than you aren’t able to.”

She froze.

“I’m not going to push you if you don’t feel comfortable, but know I’ll listen if you want to tell me about it.”

A quick nod was her only answer. She wrapped her arms around her waist and he could tell she wasn’t going to talk to him today.

Maybe someday soon. If only he could stop being such an arse.

“If you need anything, let me know. It’s my duty to take care of you, and I mean to do it.” He opened the door and the dog ran after him. It was obvious now Rascal hadn’t been a small dog but only a puppy when Dorie found him. He was already huge, and who knew how much larger he’d get. Bryce might need to build a bigger cottage.

He held the door open and the mutt ran back to his mistress, his huge tail wagging. Bryce felt something akin to jealousy when Dorie smiled at the dog and kissed his head. He shook off the ridiculous feeling. He couldn’t make Dorie happy, so why should he resent the person—or creature—that could?

“If you’ll allow it, I’d like to send a guard to walk you to the castle tomorrow.”

She nodded.

“Thank you. Lock the door behind me when I leave.”

He waited until he heard the proof of her compliance as the bar slid in place. She was safe for the night.

He went back to the castle, feeling the loneliness surround him once again.

Chapter Eight

It was still dark when Dorie was licked awake by Rascal. She made a disgruntled noise of protest, having been disrupted from a particularly nice dream.

She’d been with Bryce. He’d been smiling and laughing. He’d kissed her, as he had earlier that day.

Another lick and a whine. Fine. She would get up and let the dog out. It would be better than him having an accident in the house. He was getting so large now she might have to get a shovel from the stables to clean up after him like they did a horse.

She sat up and blinked. Then rubbed her eyes when they stung and tried to focus again. She smelled the smoke and jumped up to go out to the main room.

A fire blazed in the middle of the room. The rug was in flames along with the back wall, cutting off her escape to the front door.

She gasped, which only pulled in more smoke, causing her to cough and wheeze. She needed to get out. Already she felt dizzy.

“Rascal, come,” she said, bringing him back to the alcove with her bed. She pushed the curtain away and tried to open the window, but it wouldn’t budge.