Page 75 of Love Me Forever

Brianna walkedin silence while Moira and Anne chatted. She nodded now and again when they addressed her, though she could not say what they asked her. Her thoughts were in turmoil and her heart ached.

She had argued with herself this morning as to whether she should bid Royce farewell or not. This was not to be a final farewell, for he was to return; yet in her heart and mind she feared this would be a final farewell. They would never again love as they did last night, and the thought brought tears to her eyes.

“You are teary much of late,” Moira said, stopping when she heard her sister-in-law sniffle. “Why not go to him?”

Brianna cried and grew annoyed with herself. “I am confused.”

“You are confused because you are emotional,” Moira corrected. “Your heart rules, not your head.”

“I can make sense of nothing.” Brianna threw her hands up in the air as though she completely surrendered—to what, she did not know.

“Love often does that.”

“It hurts to love.” Her tears refused to stop falling, and with an impatient swipe she wiped them away, though more followed.

Moira laid a gentle hand on her arm. “What hurts is that which we refuse to admit. Do you love him?”

“Aye, I love him. I do not refuse to admit that.”

“You do if you refuse to bid him farewell.”

Her tears flowed strongly and sobs broke her words. “He will never be mine.”

“Does he love you?”

“Aye, he does,” Brianna answered without hesitation.

“Then why do you believe that he will never be yours?”

She had no clear answer, and doubt and fear haunted her. She had thought Arran had loved her and she him.

Now she could see how wrong their marriage had been and how foolish she had been to believe his many lies.

Royce had not been completely truthful to her, as Arran had not been. Would she repeat the same mistake?

Moira was perceptive and questioned, “Do you fear Royce is as deceptive as Arran was?”

Brianna sniffled back her tears. “I do not believe him to be, but then, I did not believe Arran could be deceiving. I fear that I am a poor judge of character.”

“Women love deeply and not always wisely, but then, we love with our hearts, not our minds. If we would listen to reason, we might not make the mistakes we often do.”

“Reason tells me to be cautious with my heart while my heart tells me to surrender, thus the confusion.”

Moira gave her arm a comforting pat. “Then this time apart from him will be beneficial.”

“Then why do I not look forward to this separation? My heart already aches for him and he has only left.”

“He has not left yet.” Moira pointed past Brianna’s shoulder and she turned.

Royce was riding straight for them, and his look was one of a man ready for battle. A chill ran through her and she braced herself for their encounter. But as she watched him approach, her defenses began to melt. He looked magnificent on his stallion; he rode with pride and confidence. All he passed quickly scurried out of his path, and she could understand why men trembled with fear in his presence and women surrendered to him.

He was a portrait of power even with the scars. Yet she knew a different man, a tenderhearted man who had dealt with her with patience and understanding.

She did not fear the man she saw; she loved him and she paid heed to her heart.

Royce slowed his horse as he reached Brianna. His anger had mounted and he was ready to confront her. He dismounted with ease and took quick strides toward her.

Moira and Anne had walked off a distance to give the couple privacy.