Julie Garwood: Ransom

"I love him so much."

"But he lied to you, remember?"

"He was only trying to be noble. He wanted to protect me."

"Then why didn't you forgive him?"

"I was going to forgive him," she sobbed. "I don't want to live without him. How could he leave me?"

"You're giving me a pounding headache, lass. Sit down and calm yourself," he suggested as he pulled a chair out and gently pushed her down. "Let me go look out the window and see if he's left yet."

"I cannot believe he would leave me," she whispered.

Morgan rolled his eyes heavenward and prayed for patience. Was his niece blind? Couldn't she see how much her husband loved her? He was too old and cranky to deal with a near hysterical woman, and he decided then that matters of the heart should be left to the young. They had more stamina.

He watched Brodick remove the saddle from his horse and toss it to one of his men. All of his soldiers had dismounted and were making themselves at home in his yard. When Brodick started back to the castle, Morgan decided to go upstairs. He'd had enough excitement for one day, and Gillian and her husband needed privacy.

"I'll be right back," he lied. "You stay where you are and wait for me," he hastily added so she wouldn't get the notion she could follow him the way she used to and drive him daft with her complaints until he gave in to whatever it was she wanted. He smiled when he realized she was more stubborn and strong-willed than he was.

Pausing at the entrance, he called out, "You know I love you, girl, don't you?"

"Yes, I know. I love you too, Uncle Morgan."

He started up the stairs then, but stopped when he heard the door open behind him. He didn't have to turn around to know who was there.

"You'll treat her well." It wasn't a question but a statement of fact.

"Yes, sir, I will."

"You don't deserve her."

"I know I don't, but I'm keeping her anyway."

"You know, son, you remind me of someone, but I can't think who it is." He shook his head in bewilderment and then suggested, "You'd best get on inside before she floods my hall with her tears. If anyone could do it, she could."

At the sound of her uncle's laughter, she glanced up and saw Brodick standing in the entrance, watching her. She stood up then and took a step toward him.

"You came back."

"I never left."

As though drawn by a magnet, they moved toward one another.

"You were angry with me. I saw it in your eyes."

"Yes, I was angry. I didn't know if I could keep you safe, and that scared the hell out of me."

He was close enough to take her into his arms, but he didn't dare touch her yet because he knew that once he started kissing her, he wouldn't stop, and he needed to mend the hurt he had caused her. Telling her what was in his heart seemed so easy to him now, and he couldn't understand why he'd been such a fool. Love didn't weaken a man; it strengthened him, made him feel invincible when he had a woman like Gillian at his side.

"I thought you went home."

"How could I go home without you? I've searched my entire life for you. I could never leave you. Home is wherever you are." His hand shook as he gently caressed the side of her face. "Don't you understand? I love you, and I want to wake up with you beside me every morning for the rest of my life. If that means I have to live in England to be with you, then that's what I'll do."

Tears of joy brimmed in her eyes. She was overwhelmed by the depth of his feelings for her and the tender, romantic way he'd told her how he felt.

She knew it was difficult for him. He hid his feelings behind his gruff exterior. She realized then she knew him better than he knew himself. It didn't matter that he'd broken out in a cold sweat or that he looked quite ill now; he'd given her what she needed. Aye, he'd said the words, and he couldn't take them back.

"Say it again," she whispered.

Gritting his teeth, he did as she asked. "I'll live in England."

She blinked. "What?"

"Ah, love, don't make me say it again. If it makes you happy, we'll live here."

She knew he meant it and was staggered by the sacrifice this dear, gentle man was willing to make for her. Lord, she needed to kiss him, but she decided to put him out of his misery first.

"Will it make you happy to live in England?"

Her poor, distraught husband was rapidly turning gray. "If I'm with you, I'll be happy."

She began to laugh. "Then I'm about to make you delirious. I don't want to live in England. I want to live with the Buchanans. Take me home."