Page 100 of Love Me Forever

He laughed. “And how would you prevent it?”

“I will do what is necessary.”

His temper surfaced. “You will not return to your husband. We belong together.”

“I will not have men die because of me,” —tears pooled in her eyes— “especially you.”

He moved from his chair to kneel beside her. “No one will die. We will settle this.” He did not make it a promise, for he knew that if necessary he would take Arran’s life.

She kissed his cheek. “Aye, we will settle this.” She felt hopeful though concerned. “I hope my brother is not angry with me.”

Royce returned to his seat, slicing chunks of cheese for them both. “He will not be angry and he probably would have done the same thing himself if he were in my situation.”

Brianna grew somber, placing the piece of bread she had not even nibbled on aside. “We cannot live in sin forever, Royce.”

“We love each other. That is not a sin.”

“I thought him dead, and Lord forgive me, but I was glad when I was told he was dead. I felt relieved and free. Why could he not have remained dead?”

He understood that she needed to speak her feelings, and he wished her to confide in him, so he listened.

“He caused me so much pain and suffering, and now he returns to cause me more. I know he will attempt to deceive my brother with his charm. I watched him do it time and time again. Everyone thought him a loving husband.”

She laughed softly. “Everyone but Moira. She knew him for what he was when she first met him. She is very observant.”

“She is observant,” Royce agreed. “There is not much that gets by her at the keep.”

“That is true, she—” Brianna stopped suddenly and gasped. “Moira knew that you intended to abduct me.”

“She had an idea,” he corrected, “and she insisted I tell her nothing, for she informed me that she would not lie to her husband if asked; therefore, she could not say what she did not know.”

“Why would she want me away from the keep?”

“I would suspect for your protection.”

“But—”

“If Arran proved able to attempt to take Moira’s life in the keep, what would prevent him from attempting to take yours? Ian took measures to protect his wife, yet Arran found a way around those measures. Who knows what friends Arran has in the keep?”

“I had not thought of that.”

“I did and evidently so did your sister-in-law.”

“Is that why you think Ian will be relieved to learn that you took me away?”

He nodded. “It would not look good for him to send you away, but if I should take matters into my own hands, nothing could be said.”

“Why, then, do I feel a duty to remain and face my fate?”

“Honor, courage, stubbornness,” he said with a smile.

“I do not want Arran to think me afraid of him.”

“I think he knew that when you refused to speak with him.”

“But does not a coward refuse to face his foe?” she asked.

“He was aware that you made your choice freely and you stood beside me. A coward would not be that brave.”