Dare, Lydia - Tall, Dark and Wolfish

Ben took Elspeth back to her cottage, his heart breaking the entire journey as she sniffed back tears. Her breathing was labored, and he felt like the biggest cad. If only he knew what stupid thing he'd said.

Once at her cottage, Ben walked her to the door, where he kissed her forehead softly and watched her as she brushed past him into the house. Her stance, which was usually so proud and erect, seemed almost defeated.

He stayed outside until she blew out the candles. Then he went to the Thistle and Thorn to get properly foxed. He could have gone back to MacQuarrie's, but the man would only try to talk to him, and Ben wasn't in the mood to converse with anyone.

He entered the taproom and found Major Forster at a corner table with a glass of whisky, talking amicably with the townspeople. He should have realized the major would still be there. After years of traveling with his regiment, the man naturally made friends wherever he went.

Ben sighed. The major

was

his father-in-law; perhaps he had some insight into Elspeth. As Ben approached him, the major kicked a chair from beneath the table by bumping it with his boot. Ben sank heavily into it.

"Aren't you supposed to be enjoying dinner with my daughter?" the major asked, pulling out his pocket watch to glance at the time.

"I was. She asked me to take her home. It appears as though my presence makes her physically ill."

The major chuckled and motioned for another whisky for Ben. "You turn her stomach, now, do you?"

"Obviously. She was sick in the bushes as soon as I brought the food out." Ben threw back his whisky and motioned for another.

"You mean she's

truly

sick?" The major's eyebrows shot upward. "I should go check on her."

Ben shook his head. "I stayed until she turned out the light. She's fine."

"I wonder what's wrong. Maybe she ate something bad?"

"She didn't eat a thing. She got sick as soon as I uncovered the food!" he cried out, then rested his chin on the heel of his hand in disgust. "And she cries at the smallest things."

"You made her cry?" the major asked, frowning.

"I didn't mean to," Ben defended himself. "But it didn't seem to matter what I said. I've never seen her so emotional, not even when her grandfather died, and she was plenty upset then."

Recognition dawned in the major's eyes. "I'm a fool not to have seen it earlier."

"Seen what?"

With a toothy grin, the major slid his whisky toward Ben. "Congratulations, pup."

"For turning my wife's stomach?" Ben grumbled and looked down at the amber liquid in front of him.

"I believe you may have made me a grandfather!" The major rose from his seat and cackled all the way out the door.

Ben's mouth fell open. Then he picked up the whisky in front of him and downed it in one gulp.

A child? Dear God! He replayed his last conversation with Elspeth over in his mind, under that context, and winced. If she was with child, it was no wonder she was furious with him.

He was going to be a father! Ben signaled the bar maid that he didn't need the next glass of whisky. If he was going to work this out, he needed a clear head. He

would

find a way to make it work.

Elspeth enchanted a spoon to stir some porridge and then collapsed into a seat at her table and laid her head across her folded arms. She'd slept restlessly all night and this morning wasn't feeling her best.

Her father emerged from his room, whistling an old Scottish lullaby. When he spotted her, he grinned widely. "Morning, lass."

"Ye seem awfully cheerful today," she grumbled.

"Many things to be cheerful about," he replied and dropped into a seat across from her. "How was your dinner with Benjamin?"

Elspeth shook her head, then realized her eyes were watering again. She brushed her tears away with the back of her hand. "It could have gone better."

"I gathered that when I saw him last night. Poor fellow looked as if he'd lost his best friend."

"Ye saw him?" Her gaze shot to her father's.

"Hmm. The taproom at the inn. He seemed intent on getting deep in his cups."

Elspeth snorted and rose from her seat to check on her porridge. Of course he was intent on getting drunk. He didn't love her and felt stuck because of the bairn. She peered down into the pot, but it was too soupy.

She didn't feel like eating anyway. She leaned heavily against the far wall and rubbed her face with both hands. How had she gotten herself into this situation?

"Elspeth," her father's voice caused her to jump and drop her hands.

"Yes?"

"You need to sit down and have a conversation with the lad."

"I wouldna even ken what ta say." She stepped forward and slumped back down in her seat at the table.

His warm brown eyes seemed to twinkle. "I'm sure something will come to mind, dear. You can't go on like this. Both of you are completely miserable."

"Aye," she admitted, but for different reasons. There was no solution that would make them both happy.

A knock sounded at the door, and the major crossed the room to open it. "Benjamin," he said in greeting.

Elspeth couldn't keep her gaze from shooting across the cottage to her husband. His hair seemed to sparkle where the morning sunlight hit him. And he was more handsome than ever, though at the moment his hazel eyes looked angry, as did the stubborn tilt of his jaw.

"Major," he replied tightly. "I'd like a word with my wife."

"Ben," her father began with a placating tone.

But he paid no attention to the major and pushed past him into the cottage. "Ellie, this has gone on quite long enough. At first I let you have space, because I thought you needed it and I felt awful for hurting you. And I am sorry for that."

He continued into the room until he stood before her. "But you're my wife and I've put up with all of this that I intend to. I stayed up all night thinking everything through, and I cannot believe that you thought to keep this from me. Living separately, keeping secrets—it's over. All of it. Do you hear me?"

Anger and hurt coursed through her, and Elspeth raised herself up to her full height. Still, she only reached his shoulders. "Ye willna dictate ta me, Benjamin Westfield. I was runnin' my own life before ye came along, and—"

He hauled her into his arms and kissed her. He pulled her flush against him and took her breath away. She'd nearly forgotten how wonderful it felt to be wrapped in his strength. When she sighed against his mouth, Ben's tongue slipped inside hers, tangling with her own.

His hold on her softened, and his hands caressed her back and stroked her arms. Elspeth pressed herself against him and intertwined her fingers in his hair. Time and place lost all meaning, and only the sound of Ben's breathing echoed in her ears… until her father, clearing his throat, broke through to her senses.

Elspeth pulled back away from Ben and gaped at him. He seemed as affected by the kiss as she had been. "Why did ye do that?" she asked, trying to catch her breath.

"I intend to do it again," he warned her. "Every time you even think of disagreeing with me."

"Then ye'll be doin' it a lot," she mumbled under her breath.

He raised his eyebrows meaningfully. "It's been far too long since I kissed you, Ellie. Don't tempt me." He looked over his shoulder at her father and nodded. "Major, a moment, if you don't mind."

He winked at Ben. "Good luck, my boy."

As soon as the major retired to his room, Elspeth glared at her husband. "Why did ye come here, Ben?"

"Because I love you, and if you don't believe it, I'll say it over and over until you do."

"This is about the bairn," she said as she stepped out of his reach and made her way to her old settee.