Free Victoria Roberts - [Bad Boys of the Highlands 03] by To Wed a Wicked Highlander

Alexander’s face. “Please donna come in here,” she said in a rush of words.
    Her husband’s large hand gripped the door. “Why? What is amiss?”
    She pushed again, but the door would not budge against the huge mass of her husband. “Please, Alexander. There is naught — ”
    He shoved the door open and walked through, stealing a glance around her chamber. “What is amiss?”
    “ ’ Tis naught,” she said with as much innocence as she could muster. She whipped the covers up on the bed and bunched up her nightrail, holding it to the side. When his eyes narrowed, she was keenly aware of his scrutiny. She continued to stare at him, feigning indifference.
    He let out a long, audible breath. “Did we nae discuss that I will nae tolerate lies between us? It has only been one day, and already ye forget my words.” He leisurely walked over to the sitting area and pulled out a chair. “I will simply sit here until ye speak the truth.”
    When she lifted her brow, he returned the same gesture and waited.
    Sybella paled at the enormity of the command. She had not forgotten the words they spoke on the parapet, but she was intensely humiliated. She sat down on the bed, her fingers squeezing the bridge of her nose. “Alexander — ”
    “I am listening.” His tone was the same as if he were talking with a child. Pausing, he seemed to choose his words carefully. “I thought we had an understanding last eve. I expect the truth. Mayhap I wasnae clear in my purpose. When I ask something of ye, I presume ye would be honest. I told ye as much before. I donna tolerate lies.”
    Why would he make her speak of this? He folded his muscled arms over his chest and was not going to relent. Why did this come as no surprise? She had no choice but to yield to his command. She was forced to speak the truth, no matter how humiliating, but she certainly didn’t have to look at him while she spoke.
    “I bleed and ’ tisnae my time,” she said softly.
    “What?”
    Sybella repeated her words louder and closed her eyes. Footsteps stopped in front of her and a hand rested upon her shoulder. When she did not glance up, Alexander sat down on the bed beside her.
    “Lass, ’ tis normal for your first time. The reason I called upon ye this morn was to tell ye I ordered a bath for ye. It should help to ease the soreness ye feel. There is naught to be ashamed of, and ye donna need to hide such things from me. I am your husband. We are as one.”
    She was helpless to halt her embarrassment. “I…didnae know it was normal. When I saw the blood…”
    He smiled warmly. “Didnae your mother speak with ye about such things?”
    Sybella shook her head. “My mother became ill before she had the chance. There was only Mary.”
    A strange look passed over his features. “Mary?” When an unwelcome blush crept onto Sybella’s cheeks, he grabbed her hand. “I am your husband. Tell me. What exactly did Mary say to ye about such matters?”
    “Obviously, she didnae tell me about any bleeding.”
    He patiently listened while Sybella repeated most of what Mary instructed her.
    “And the sheep?”
    “As I already said, I am to remain perfectly still and close my eyes. When that cluigean goes in, I am to count sheep to ease the pain.”
    Alexander glanced sideways, and she swore he laughed and then covered it quickly with a cough. What was the matter with the man? He’d asked what Mary said, and Sybella had spoken honestly. After all, that’s what he demanded.
    “Nay worries. Is there anything else I can do for ye?” he asked, rubbing her shoulder.
    She shook her head. The conversation had already gone too long. If this was any indication of how her day was going to go, she suddenly had the overwhelming urge to crawl back into bed and cower under the blankets.
    He rose from the bed and kissed her on the top of the head. “Your bath will be here soon.”
    Sybella watched Alexander walk through the adjoining door. Closing her eyes, she sat bent