Page 133 of What a Highlander’s Got to Do

“What, what?” All right, perhaps a little brusquely, considering the fact that he had almost died and everything. But could he not be more clear?

It took him a moment to gather the words. “What . . . did you want to . . . escape?”

Oh, dear. “Darling.” She smoothed back his hair. “We can talk about this later.”

He narrowed his eyes and set his chin, just so, in a way she didn’t recognize. It looked like it might be stubbornness. “Now.”

Aye. Stubbornness, indeed.

“What did you want to escape?” This time with more strength. “Me?”

“Not you, darling,” she cooed.

“What then?”

“It’s stupid. Can’t we just—”

“No.”

Oh, dear. She had no idea he could be as stubborn as she.

“Tell me.”

She stared at him for a long moment and then realized she might as well tell him. He was clearly not going to let her wiggle out of the confession. And indeed, she wasn’t sure she wanted to. “Fear,” she said. “I was deathly afraid.”

“Of me?”

“Aye.”

His wince pierced her heart and she kissed him gently. “Of how I felt for you. You made me want to turn it all upside down.”

“All what?”

“My life. My beliefs. My ridiculous determination to avoid marriage.”

“I made you want to marry?”

“You made me want to marry you. No one else.”

His smile was her reward for her courage. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. “You called me your love.”

“Because you are. Edward Nicholas Wyeth, I love you with all my heart.”

His grin turned wicked. Aye. He was definitely feeling better. “And you promise to surrender to me in every way?”

She frowned.

“To obey my every command? To always do as I say?”

Heavens. How did she answer that? The truth? Or a lie to appease him? “I . . .”

But before she could respond, he laughed and pulled her close and kissed her.

“Isobel, my sweet. I will never try to change you. How could I? I love you just as you are. With all my heart as well. I certainly know better than to command anything of a Lochlannach lass.”

“Well, thank God,” Mama muttered drily.

She kissed him again, wreathed in happiness and relief. He would be fine. They would be fine. And one day, there would be babies. Maybe very soon they would be a family.