Page 33 of A Bride for the Wicked Highlander (Daring a Highland Laird #2)
“It seemed that he felt like he wasnae as respected as his own faither, flyin’ into a fury whenever someone mentioned me grandfaither and the good things he did for the clan,” Oscar went on.
“It bred insecurity, which became a need for control, for superiority, even if he had to crush others to feel powerful. I didnae ken that everyone was so overjoyed about him and me maither because, for a time, it softened him. The clan was ecstatic about the match, particularly those in the castle, because he wasnae punishin’ them for the slightest thing—or nothing at all—anymore.
“Then, of course, his insecurities returned for the simple fact that me maither was beautiful and kind and warm, and she liked to speak with people. All people.” Oscar exhaled.
“He was weak and cruel and insecure already; it didnae have anything to do with his ‘love’ for me maither. His obsession with controllin’ her just magnified what he already was. ”
Maddie stared at him, unmoved. “I didn’t ask you to tell me about your father, who has no part in this.
” She waved a hand. “Indeed, I asked you to tell me something I didn’t already know, or couldn’t have made an educated guess about, anyway.
I told you that you were nothing like him, but you wouldn’t listen.
Your father didn’t hurt me, Oscar, you did. You didn’t even say goodbye.”
“I’m sorry, love,” he said thickly. “I’m sorry for every foolish thing I did that sent ye away from me side.
I ken now that I’m nae like me faither. I wouldnae want to do anythin’ to control ye; I want ye to be that free bird who flutters back into me arms, nae because ye have to, but because ye want to.
And, aye, I might always want to poke out the eyes of any man who looks at ye for too long, but the difference between me and me faither is, I’d have a stern word with the man, nae lock ye away. ”
For a hopeful moment, he thought he saw the corner of her mouth lift into a smirk, but she covered it quickly.
“Are you sure you have that sort of restraint?” she said, raising an eyebrow.
He allowed himself a smile. “I’ll always want to protect ye, but I’d rather hear ye laugh than see ye scowl at me. Although, I love yer scowl too. I love everythin’ that makes ye, ye. And, aye, I’m obsessed with ye, but that doesnae have to be a bad thing.”
She blinked, her mouth parting in surprise. Her hand moved to her heart, as if she was checking to see how fast it was beating.
“You... love me?” she whispered.
He took a chance and walked toward her. “Aye, lass. I love ye. I love ye so much that if ye tell me to leave, I will. I love ye so much that if ye tell me to stay, I might have to change me title from Laird to school gardener.” He stopped in front of her, desperate to touch her, but holding himself back. “Forgive me, Maddie.”
“I can’t,” she said softly, his heart threatening to cease beating altogether.
“I can’t because... I had pages and pages of notes to show you, to prove that your father’s insane jealousy isn’t something that can be inherited in the blood.
I worked so hard on it, and all for nothing.
It is unforgivable that you didn’t even let me present my findings to you. ”
His brow furrowed, an uncertain laugh rumbling in the back of his throat. “I’m listenin’, lass, but I’m nae understandin’.”
A radiant smile finally broke across her face, like the first warm day after a terrible winter. And her laughter, when it bubbled up, was the music of songbirds on a summer dawn, promising a beautiful day ahead.
“I am trying to tell you that, even though you sent me away, I wrote all those pages because I hoped you would change your mind,” she said, fire igniting in her eyes, transforming her.
“They are my proof that I hadn’t given up on you, and that if you had not come to me, you would have received my research endlessly until you realized your foolishness.
Fortunately, you have spared yourself that. ”
Hope burned within him. “In plainer terms, love.”
“I forgive you,” she said with a laugh. “My love, I forgive you for being silly. Heaven knows I understand the influence of parents. And, after all, you did not receive my two-hour lecture on why your theory was nonsense.”
He closed the gap between them, pulling her roughly against his chest. “Ye can give me yer two-hour lecture after I’ve given ye me two-hour apology,” he said, sweeping a lock of her bronzed hair behind her ear.
“I promise, I’ll listen to every word. After, ye can tell me all about mushrooms and toads. ”
“Stop it,” she chided playfully. “Don’t tempt me so.”
“I cannae promise that. I might nae want to control ye, lass, but I want ye to ken that every inch of yer body is mine,” he murmured, as he rested his fingertips beneath her chin, tilting her head up.
Her eyes shone with fire. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
“How about I show ye instead.”
With a smile, he kissed her. A slow, sensual kiss that made her melt into his arms, confirming without doubt that she was his, and all was forgiven.