Page 68 of Her Reluctant Highlander Husband

She stepped into their chamber to find Bryce getting ready for the evening meal. All day she’d been planning what she might say, and now that the time had come, she wasn’t any more prepared. She hovered by the door a moment, taking in her shirtless husband.

When he turned to her with a sly smile, she shut the door and moved closer.

“I have news,” she said.

He kissed her neck and her mind skittered away for a second. While he might not love her, he seemed happy enough to touch her whenever she was close. Most nights they made love and fell asleep in each other’s arms.

Each time she thought she might be closer to accepting this life.

She thought it would be good enough. The physical pleasure and the friendship were more than she’d ever hoped for all those years she’d been locked up in a room alone. But she’d come to realize it wasn’t enough now. She wanted a man to look at her the way Lachlan and Cameron looked at their wives.

“Will you share your news?” he prompted as he moved to her ear.

“Aye. Mayhap you can put on your shirt.” She needed to keep her wits about her. She wanted to do the right thing for both of them, but she was teetering.

With his shirt in place, she patted the edge of the bed and took his hand when he sat next to her.

“My father has offered to take me back to England with him. To his estate and his family.”

Bryce’s brows pulled together. “England?” The word came out as a sneer. As if the country were the most vile place on earth.

“Yes. To live with him.”

“You live here. With me.” He looked confused, and she could understand why.

Swallowing down her nervousness, she went on. “That’s the part I thought you’d be pleased about. He’s offered to provide an annulment.”

Bryce didn’t seem pleased. His brows stayed locked in place, pulled together in irritation.

“An annulment?” he repeated.

“You’ll be free of me. Just as you have always wanted.” Her throat burned, but she continued. This was better for both of them. They each had lives they wanted to live in their own way.

He shook his head. “We’ve consummated the marriage, lass. There can be no annulment.”

She frowned that consummation was his reason not to consider it, rather than that he wanted her to stay because he cared for her. She blinked to keep the tears from forming and cleared her throat.

“My father says money pays for anything ye could want from the church.”

Please ask me to stay. Tell me you want me.

“Nay. You’re my wife. Your place is here.” That was not a good enough answer. Not now.

“My place?” She laughed. “I have no place, husband. I exist wherever people will have me.”

“Aye. And I’ll have you here at Dunardry.”

She stepped back from him, tilting her head and watching as he reached for his boots. As if the discussion were over.

She was now even more determined to find a man who would consider her feelings fully before making a decision that affected her. That man might not exist, but she had to think there was someone closer to the mark than this stubborn Highlander she was currently married to.

“I wish to be more than tolerated. Since my mother died, no one has truly wanted me. Not the McCurdy, not my brother, not you.” The last word came out like a curse. “I finally have a chance to be with family who wants me. My family.” She snatched his other boot to make sure she had his attention. “Do you understand what that means to me? To actually belong somewhere?”

He frowned but said nothing.

“My father is a viscount. He has great influence. He said I would have the chance to meet people, and perhaps a man might fall in love with me.” She couldn’t hold back the smile. “I never thought I’d have a chance for such a thing. For someone to love me the way you loved your Maggie. The way I love—” She swallowed rather than finish her thought. It didn’t matter how she felt about Bryce. He could never return her feelings.

He shook his head. “No. You’re not going. You’re my wife.”