Highland Outlaw (Campbell Trilogy #2)(71)

But it was a battle he was doomed to lose.

How else would she react when she discovered the truth? He'd deceived her. And that deception, though necessary, had never weighed more heavily on him.

She tilted her head, her eyes scanning his face. “You truly aren't angry?”

He cupped her tiny chin. “Not with you.” But he wanted to kill John Montgomery. If the man wasn't already living his penance, he would do just that.

She read him better than he realized and eyed him warily. “Do you want to know?”

He thought for a moment, then shook his head. “Nay.” It was in the past. “Then I would have to kill him.”

Her eyes widened, his blunt statement surprising her. “You would do that for me?”

The woman was daft. “I will kill anyone who harms you.” He cocked a brow. “I hope that doesn't offend your delicate sensibilities?”

“No,” she said hesitantly. “Though I'm not used to having such a fierce protector.”

He kissed her forehead. “Get used to it.” He paused. “Why didn't you tell me?”

“I never meant to hide it from you. I always intended to tell the man I married. But when I imagined an engagement, I thought of a nice quiet discussion in a hall, not … this.” He chuckled, and she blushed. “There wasn't much time for discussion.”

“No, there certainly wasn't,” he said wryly. “Though had you told me ahead of time, it would have saved me a significant amount of pain and suffering.”

She giggled and then said with mock seriousness, “Your control does you honor, my laird.”

“Witch.” He slapped her playfully on her bottom. He had no control with her. Heaven help him when she figured it out. “You'll pay for your insolence.”

The wicked gleam in her eye stirred his c**k from its sated stupor. “I'm looking forward to it.” She leaned up and pressed a soft kiss on his lips. “Thank you.”

“I aim to please, my lady.”

She whacked him playfully. “Not for that, you arrogant beast. For being so understanding.”

“That's the first time I've ever been accused of that.”

She looked at him with those crystal-clear blue eyes that never failed to unnerve him. She saw so much more than he wanted her to. “You don't fool me one bit, Patrick Murray. You aren't nearly as cynical and impervious as you pretend.” She tapped his chest emphatically. “Beneath that steely chest is a tender heart, and I intend to find it.”

The playfulness fled, a sudden pall cast over the moment of joy. “Don't, Lizzie,” he warned, his expression as serious as his tone. “Don't try to find something that doesn't exist. You'll only be disappointed.”

She shook her head. “I love you. You could never disappoint me.”

But he would.

I love you. The words he'd been trying to forget but that seemed to be imprinted on his soul. A ray of light in a pit of blackness. Hope for a man who should know better.

His chest felt as if it were being squeezed in a vise of foreboding. He hugged her tight, savoring the moment of connection. The thought of losing her tore him apart.

He dropped a kiss on her nose. “Come. We need to get you back to the hall before someone comes looking for you.”

“When they hear the news, perhaps they will understand.” Excitement lit her eyes, making her look just like a bairn with a platter of sweets. “I can hardly wait to tell my brothers and cousin.”

Which would be a disaster. Jamie Campbell and Argyll would recognize him. Marriage was only the first hurdle; he still needed to convince her to run away with him— without giving her cause to suspect the true reason.

He hated to put a damper on her excitement, but it was important that her brothers and cousin not learn of their marriage until it was too late to be undone. His voice, though grave, gave no hint of his unease. “Are you sure that is wise?”

Her brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“You know as well as I do that your brothers and cousin will not be pleased with your choice of husband. They want you to marry Robert Campbell, not a guardsman with little but his sword to recommend him. I don't want to give them an opportunity to refuse their consent.”

She eyed him warily. “What are you suggesting?”

He held her gaze. “That we find a minister to marry us before we tell your family.”

All of the excitement drained from her face. “You mean a clandestine marriage?”

He nodded. “Aye.”

“No,” she said firmly. “I'll not sneak off as if I'm ashamed of this marriage. I'll be proud to be your wife. My cousin will perhaps be disappointed, but with my brother's marriage—”

“What?”

She smiled. “I was just as surprised as you. It's the most amazing thing. I received a missive from Dunoon before the evening meal. It seems Jamie is to marry Caitrina Lam-ont.”

The Enforcer and the daughter of the Lamont of Ascog— a MacGregor ally? There had to be a mistake. “You're sure the woman is Caitrina Lamont?”

She nodded. “Do you know her?”

He stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Aye.”

“I hear she is very beautiful.”