Read Online The Highlander's Woman (The Reckless Rockwoods #3) by Monica Burns - Free Book Online
Authors: Monica Burns
Tags: Fiction
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town.” Julian met her gaze steadily as he pleaded his case. “I did no’ wish to worry you when I came home late with no explanation why. My father asked me to help Una in a matter that is of a personal nature. It is the only reason I was with her yesterday.”
Disbelief and confusion swept across Patience’s face as she pressed her hand to her throat. He stretched out his hand to her.
“Trust me, mo leannan ,” he said fervently, praying she would see he was speaking from the heart. “I swore an oath to an old friend no’ to reveal what I know. Do no’ believe Una’s lies.”
“You’re asking a great deal of me, Julian.”
“Aye,” he jerked his head sharply. “I am.”
“You’re asking me to forget everything. You lied to me, Julian, and now you want me to believe you, simply because your answer is that you were helping—”
“ Bloody hell, Patience . I can no’ tell a secret that is no’ mine to tell,” he roared as he smashed his fist on the table next to the window. He saw her jump with fear and immediately regretted his fierce reaction.
“What would you believe if you were in my shoes, Julian? What if I’d lied and I were the one saying I was protecting someone’s secret?” she whispered as if in great pain. “I doubt you would be so willing to believe me any more than I am to believe you.”
She was right. He would find it almost impossible to believe her if the same type of evidence was presented to him where she was concerned. Angry with himself for his lies and stupidity in agreeing to Caitriona’s request, he shook his head.
“I know the evidence makes me look guilty, Patience, but I am no’,” he rasped. “But I must honor my oath.”
“Please stop,” Patience said in a strained whisper. “I can’t think straight, Julian.”
One hand pressed against her temple, Patience closed her eyes and shook her head. A second tear slid down her cheek. Unable to help himself, he quickly closed the distance between them. This time she didn’t retreat, but he could see the raw pain in her eyes. With a gentle touch, he wiped the tear off her cheek. If someone had beaten him until he lay dying in a ditch it would have hurt less than to see the anguish in her gaze. He caught her hand in his and carried it to his lips.
“I love you, Patience. I made a mistake. If I’d come straight home last week, I would no’ have had a reason to lie about Mayberry. I was wrong, mo ghràdh . Do no’ let Una’s lies come between us.”
“I need time to think,” she whispered. “I’m going to Louisa’s for the next few days. I can’t stay here right now.”
The lifeless look in her brown eyes tightened the vise wrapped around his chest until it was painful to breathe. He wanted to plead with her to stay, but Patience, like the rest of the Rockwood clan, could be stubborn. As much as Julian didn’t want to let her go, he knew it would only make matters worse if he insisted she stay. With a sharp nod, he released her hand, and stepped back from her.
“If that’s what you wish. But know this, Patience, you’re my wife. I’ll go to hell and back to keep you. I love you. Nothing will change that. Nothing.” Something flashed in her eyes, and it gave him hope he would be able to win her trust again.
“I’ll leave in the morning for Westbrook Farms.” A pained look crossed her face. “Please sleep in the spare bedroom tonight. I do not want you near me.”
Her words made his head snap backward as if she’d hit him. What had he expected? Patience walked past him and headed toward the door. He turned to watch her, hoping against hope she’d look back at him. If she did, he would know he had a chance to win her back. Just as she walked through the door, she glanced over her shoulder. Hope flared in him. She did love him. He was certain of it. There was no doubt he would have a fight on his hands regaining her trust, but that one brief look meant he stood a chance.
Chapter
Disbelief and confusion swept across Patience’s face as she pressed her hand to her throat. He stretched out his hand to her.
“Trust me, mo leannan ,” he said fervently, praying she would see he was speaking from the heart. “I swore an oath to an old friend no’ to reveal what I know. Do no’ believe Una’s lies.”
“You’re asking a great deal of me, Julian.”
“Aye,” he jerked his head sharply. “I am.”
“You’re asking me to forget everything. You lied to me, Julian, and now you want me to believe you, simply because your answer is that you were helping—”
“ Bloody hell, Patience . I can no’ tell a secret that is no’ mine to tell,” he roared as he smashed his fist on the table next to the window. He saw her jump with fear and immediately regretted his fierce reaction.
“What would you believe if you were in my shoes, Julian? What if I’d lied and I were the one saying I was protecting someone’s secret?” she whispered as if in great pain. “I doubt you would be so willing to believe me any more than I am to believe you.”
She was right. He would find it almost impossible to believe her if the same type of evidence was presented to him where she was concerned. Angry with himself for his lies and stupidity in agreeing to Caitriona’s request, he shook his head.
“I know the evidence makes me look guilty, Patience, but I am no’,” he rasped. “But I must honor my oath.”
“Please stop,” Patience said in a strained whisper. “I can’t think straight, Julian.”
One hand pressed against her temple, Patience closed her eyes and shook her head. A second tear slid down her cheek. Unable to help himself, he quickly closed the distance between them. This time she didn’t retreat, but he could see the raw pain in her eyes. With a gentle touch, he wiped the tear off her cheek. If someone had beaten him until he lay dying in a ditch it would have hurt less than to see the anguish in her gaze. He caught her hand in his and carried it to his lips.
“I love you, Patience. I made a mistake. If I’d come straight home last week, I would no’ have had a reason to lie about Mayberry. I was wrong, mo ghràdh . Do no’ let Una’s lies come between us.”
“I need time to think,” she whispered. “I’m going to Louisa’s for the next few days. I can’t stay here right now.”
The lifeless look in her brown eyes tightened the vise wrapped around his chest until it was painful to breathe. He wanted to plead with her to stay, but Patience, like the rest of the Rockwood clan, could be stubborn. As much as Julian didn’t want to let her go, he knew it would only make matters worse if he insisted she stay. With a sharp nod, he released her hand, and stepped back from her.
“If that’s what you wish. But know this, Patience, you’re my wife. I’ll go to hell and back to keep you. I love you. Nothing will change that. Nothing.” Something flashed in her eyes, and it gave him hope he would be able to win her trust again.
“I’ll leave in the morning for Westbrook Farms.” A pained look crossed her face. “Please sleep in the spare bedroom tonight. I do not want you near me.”
Her words made his head snap backward as if she’d hit him. What had he expected? Patience walked past him and headed toward the door. He turned to watch her, hoping against hope she’d look back at him. If she did, he would know he had a chance to win her back. Just as she walked through the door, she glanced over her shoulder. Hope flared in him. She did love him. He was certain of it. There was no doubt he would have a fight on his hands regaining her trust, but that one brief look meant he stood a chance.
Chapter
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