Free Highland Wolf (Highland Brides) by Lois Greiman Page B

was in her bed while she knelt on the floor beside him. "Are there other things you've forgotten, Scotsman?"
    Taking her wrist in his hand, he pulled it to his chest. Their gazes met. "I didna mean it like that, lass. In fact..." He paused, thinking. "I remember everything I've learned about ye. The way ye look as ye sway between the tables at the inn. How yer eyes darken when yer angry. The sound of yer laughter when yer teased. But I wonder, who are ye truly, lass?"
    Their faces were mere inches apart. "I'm Betty." Her breath was a soft fan of air against his skin. "No one else."
    "Then why am I here?"
    She shook her head in confusion.
    "Ye didn't need ta take me in, lass. Ye could have turned me away. Why would ye care if I live or die?"
    "Do ya think I got no 'eart just because I'm a 'ore?" She tried to pull her hand away, but he held it firmly.
    "On the contrary, lass. I think ye have the heart of an angel. And I wonder how."
    "How what?"
    "How ye remain untouched?"
    For just a moment—for one frail, fleeting second, he could see all the way to her soul. But in an instant, it was locked carefully away, and she laughed. "Ya must a 'urt yer 'ead real bad if ya think I'm untouched, luv."
    "I wonder," he murmured.
    "Well don't. I could teach ya things to make your mama shudder."
    He canted his head. Surprisingly, it felt better. "Consider me yer eager student then, lass."
    She rose with a snort and pulled her hand from his. The vixen from the Red Fox had returned, but she seemed smaller somehow, more fragile. "Ain't I told ya about 'arry?"
    "Ahh, aye," Roman said. "Yer duke."
    She almost seemed to wince, but rallied speedily, and said, "Yeah. 'E won't like ya bein' 'ere."
    Roman was silent for a moment. Perhaps he would be unwise to tell her what he'd learned, but it seemed he'd been unwise ever since coming to Firthport. Why change now?
    "There seems to be a limited number of dukes in these parts," he said softly. "I asked around. There is na one named Harry."
    For a moment she remained expressionless and motionless. But then he noticed the brightness of her eyes and the tremble of her bottom lip. "Are ya sayin' 'e lied ta me about 'is name?"
    Roman scowled. She'd said she was too smart to be in love with this man, but he knew now that she'd lied. He saw it in her face. Whoever the lucky bastard was, she was not only faithful, but infatuated. "I mean he's not a duke," he said softly. "There are na dukes in Firthport."
    She laughed shakily. "Not a duke? That's ... ridiculous. 'E told me 'e was, but that I couldn't tell no one about 'im. Told me 'e loved me, that 'e wanted ta make me 'is wife, only 'e couldn't on account of 'e was already married."
    "Betty ..." Roman stood up and stepped toward her. "I'm sorry."
    "You're lyin'," she said, but her tone was high-pitched, and she backed away. "You're lyin' cause ya want me ta betray 'im."
    Roman stopped. "I'm not lying, Betty. I talked ta people who would know. They said there's no duke in Firthport or anywhere near."
    "You're just sayin' that cuz ya think ya can toss me on me back then."
    Roman shook his head. "I wouldna do that, lass. And I wouldna lie."
    "Yes, ya would. I know ya would. I know 'e loves me, and..." Her words faltered, and her face fell into her upraised hands. "Sweet Mary, I knew this would 'appen. I knew it would," she sobbed.
    Roman stepped awkwardly forward. She melted into his arms like snow in sunshine.
    "'E said 'e loved me. 'E said 'e did. But 'e 'adn't been 'ere for months. Every day... every night, I told myself, 'e'll come. And then last night..." She shook her head and sniffed against his shoulder. Her arms were tight and strong against his back. "Tonight, 'e did. It was so sweet. So fine. But then 'e ups and says, it's over. All over! 'E didn't 'ave no feelings for me at all. 'E was only usin' me," she sobbed.
    "There now, lass," Roman soothed, stroking her hair. It felt as smooth and soft as kitten fur. "There now. Na man could be a man and na