The Raider (Highland Guard #8)(120)

Clifford turned to Rosalin. “Christ’s cross, Rosie-lin, why the hell did you tell him that?”

“I never thought he would do something so foolhardy.”

“Or romantic,” Robbie put in.

He wasn’t sure whether she heard him. “I did give him my word,” she said to her brother.

Clifford made a face, and then glared at Robbie. “She wasn’t wrong. I just don’t think you can make her happy.”

He crossed his arms and gave Robbie a smug smile, as if challenging him to convince him.

Robbie’s fists clenched. He felt the manacles straining around his wrists and thought it was probably smart that Clifford had kept him chained. But a glance at Rosalin took the fight out of him. If they were going to have any chance, he and her brother were going to have to find some way to put years of hatred behind them.

He took a deep breath. “I don’t know if I can either, but I love her, and I swear to you I will spend every minute of my life trying—even if that means putting aside our enmity. She loves you, and I won’t do anything to get in the way of that. You protected her and looked after her when others in your position might not have, and for that you deserve credit.” His gaze met Rosalin’s. “I want you to be my wife because I love you—it doesn’t have anything to do with him or revenge. It never did. I was just too blind to see it. If you want to spend the next fifty years singing his damned praises, I’ll listen. I might not agree, but I’ll listen. Our children will call him uncle.”

“Oh Robbie.” Something sharp and tender sparked in her eyes, and the next moment she was in his arms—or at least as much in his arms as he could manage with the chains. The feel of her all soft and warm pressed against his chest released something inside him. He felt as if a dam had broken, and all the fear, all the longing, all the love he had for her came rushing out. He tucked her satiny head under his chin, pressed his lips on her hair, and let the warm scent of roses wash over him.

There was so much he wanted to say, but the emotion was too thick in his throat.

Clifford made a sharp scoffing sound. “I’m not convinced yet.”

Rosalin unwrapped herself from his chest to turn on her brother. “Cliff, what more do you want from him? He put his life in your hands because he trusted me, and I’ll not have you—”

Clifford held up his hand, cutting her off. “I have a few conditions.”

Rosalin’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “What kind of conditions?”

Clifford’s gaze softened. And at that moment Robbie knew he’d won. She was right: her brother her loved her more than he hated Robbie. He wanted her happiness, even if it was with the man he’d been trying to capture for years.

“That he promises to bring you to England as often as you like. I want my children to know their aunt, and I need to see for myself that he keeps his promise.”

Rosalin turned to Robbie.

“Agreed. As long as it can be done without putting Rosalin in danger.”

Clifford nodded.

“What else?” Robbie said.

“You name your firstborn son Clifford.”

Robbie froze. He looked at the other man as if he were mad. Rosalin laughed and elbowed him in the ribs. “He’s teasing you, Robbie.”

Christ, he’d probably permanently damaged his heart, it had stopped for so long.

Clifford smirked. “As it appears I’m going to have to suffer the humiliation of letting you escape again, your reputation is going to suffer as well. Whatever story I come up with to tell Edward, you aren’t going to dispute it.”

“I suspect I will play the dastardly villain in this tale?”

The other man smiled. “Of course.”

Robbie swore. “Agreed. I doubt my reputation can get any darker.”

“I wouldn’t bet on it.”

Rosalin scowled at her brother. “Bride abduction should suffice, Cliff. No embellishing.”

He made a face, but didn’t argue. “I assume you can find your way out?”

Robbie nodded. He should have some help soon. “Aye.”

“Then make good use of the time I’m about to give you.” He turned to Rosalin. “Give me a hug, sweetheart.”

Rosalin ran into his arms, and Robbie felt his chest squeeze as he watched them. The bond between the two siblings was strong, and he swore he would do his damnedest never to interfere with that again.

No matter how much it killed him.

After a long moment, Clifford let her go. He gave Robbie one more look. “Hurt her again and not even Bruce’s phantoms will be able to protect you.”

Despite the irony of that particular threat, Robbie believed him.

A moment later the door closed behind him.

Rosalin had been overcome with emotion since the first moment he’d been pushed into the room. It had taken everything she had not to run to him, especially when she’d seen the damage inflicted on him by her brother’s soldiers.

Then, realizing that he’d surrendered to show his trust for her…it was too much. But the breaking point, the point when she knew he really loved her, was when he’d vowed to let her talk about Cliff—even alluding to the children he didn’t know he was having.

She crossed the room, putting her hand on his cheek. “Your poor face.”