Page 62 of Her Reluctant Highlander Husband

Bryce didn’t say much as they ate. Now that she knew how she felt about him, it was difficult to look him in the eye. She feared he might see her affection when he looked at her.

He’d warned her he couldn’t give her more, and she’d foolishly fallen for him anyway. She couldn’t let him find out.

…

That night when Bryce came to bed, Dorie was in bed staring at the ceiling. She’d hardly said a word at dinner. And now he noticed she wasn’t able to look at him.

There was a time when he would wonder what she was thinking, but time had cured him of patience so he sat on the bed and took off his boots before turning to her and asking directly, “What’s the matter?”

Her eyes darted toward him quickly and away again. “I’m just trying to grasp the fact that I have family again. A father. It’s wonderful.”

“Aye. But it doesn’t explain why you refuse to look me in the eye. Or why you’re so quiet.”

She let out a breath and bit her bottom lip for a moment. If she didn’t look so serious, he might have considered leaning over to take a nibble for himself, but he refrained, waiting for her to gather her courage to tell him what was bothering her.

“My father was in love with my mother. Gave his heart to her. He’s married now, but it’s clear he doesn’t feel anything but respect and friendship for my stepmother, even though she loves him.”

“I see.” Bryce didn’t say anything for a moment. He wasn’t sure what to say. She was obviously making comparisons between him and her father. Did that mean she and her stepmother had something in common as well? Was Dorie telling him she was in love with a man who didn’t love her back?

Part of him wanted to yell and remind her of all the times he’d warned her of such action. But he knew how love worked. It didn’t always do what one wished. If it did, he would have forced himself to stop feeling for Maggie so it wouldn’t hurt so much.

“What are you saying?” he asked, hoping he’d misunderstood.

“I’m not saying anything. Good night.” She turned away from him.

Rather than force her to tell him something he didn’t think he’d bear hearing, he blew out the light and tossed and turned the whole night.

He shouldn’t feel guilty. He’d told her it wasn’t possible for him to be a real husband to her. Not in that way. But he should have known she might form an attachment if he slept with her.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered before giving up on sleep and going to pace the battlements.

He wasn’t the only one having difficulty sleeping. Cam was also there trying to calm a screaming Aiden.

“What seems to be the problem?” Bryce asked as he tapped the baby’s chin, who paused in his crying for a moment before letting out a loud wail.

“His belly hurts him and he wants all the world to know about it.”

“Poor lad.”

“Did he wake you?”

“Nay. I have my own pains to fuss about.” Bryce leaned over the wall to look down into the bailey. A few months ago he’d wished himself able to take the next step. Odd that now he had no desire to leave this life. The pain was still there, but it was not as sharp as it once had been. His life was not as grim. Not with Dorie in it to bring him pleasure and laughter.

“I can offer you a pat on the back. However it doesn’t appear to be working for this little one, so you might find any comfort lacking on my part,” Cam said.

Bryce nodded and let out a breath.

“If you’re not interested in a pat, I could listen to your fussing. I’ve already heard everything this lad has to share.”

Bryce didn’t want to talk. He’d come up to the battlements for a bit of quiet and to be alone, so it was a surprise when he opened his mouth and told Cam what was on his mind.

“I fear Dorie has come to expect more from this marriage than I can give.”

“You mean love?”

“Aye. I warned her from the first day not to get attached, for it could only lead to disappointment.”

“Ah. So it’s the lass’s fault she feels something for you. Despite you treating her like a real wife in every way. Laughing with her. Running off to your chamber at any time of day. Worrying over her all the times she was injured by the McCurdys. Buying her gifts as a husband ought to do. It’s her fault she thought she stood a chance to win your heart when it appeared to all of us that she already had.”