Page 23 of Love Me Forever (Highland Duo #2)

Royce showed not an ounce of fear, though he stood alone in the hall. “My clan has no quarrel with you.”

He was letting Ian know that if they harmed him in any way, his clan would retaliate with force.

Ian would not be intimidated. “Nor do I want one.”

“Then hear me out.”

Ian nodded, always more ready to talk through problems than raise a weapon to settle them.

“I love your sister and will see to her care and protection. She is upset now but in time?—”

Brianna stopped him. “Nay, in time I will not change my mind. I will not wed you and that is final. I ask that my brother give you the same courtesy that you gave me. Food and shelter until you return to your clan.”

“My clan is aware that I am here and will join me shortly, but I will not take my leave until you agree to wed me.”

Ian spoke before his sister could. “How does your clan know your whereabouts?”

“They knew where I sought solitude and kept a watchful eye over me. As soon as your men arrived, my men gathered and followed. They are not far from this keep at this moment, and if I do not speak with them before it grows late, they will attack.”

“I saw no one following us,” Blair said, annoyed that he and his men might not have been as alert as they should have been.

“I command a well-trained and highly skilled group of men. You would not see them if they did not want to be seen.”

“I have heard of their skills,” Ian said, impressed. “I do not doubt your word, and you are welcome to contact your men whenever you wish. As I have told you, I have no quarrel with you.”

“And I have no quarrel with you.” Royce paused, and then raised his voice for all to hear. “But I will wed your sister.”

“The decision is hers,” Ian said. “I will not force her to wed.”

“Even if she carries my child?” Royce asked, looking to Brianna.

Brianna did not wish to announce to the entire hall that she was unable to conceive a child. Her failure as a woman concerned no one but her.

Her brother sensed her unease. “We will discuss this in private.”

Moira handed her son to Anne and walked over to Brianna. She slipped her arm around her shoulder. “We will continue this in the solar.”

Brianna was grateful for Moira’s support. She had wondered if her shaking legs would carry her or if she would collapse like a foolish woman. She grasped hold of Moira’s offered hand as they walked.

“All will be fine,” Moira assured her. “Ian will see to it.”

“I will not marry him,” she insisted, wondering who she was attempting to convince—Moira or herself.

“It will be as you wish.”

Brianna nodded, agreeing with her sister-in-law. It would be her decision and hers alone. There was no worry that there would be a child. She could not give Royce one, not ever. Why did that thought make her feel so sad? He was not what she thought him to be.

Remember.

She felt too numb to remember anything. At the moment she felt only the hurt and pain of being deceived and being so very foolish.

Ian followed Royce into the room after Brianna and Moira had entered. Moira directed her to a chair by the hearth, but Brianna preferred to remain standing. She felt more in control, more determined.

“You should sit or your back will begin to pain you,” Royce said with concern.

Ian and Moira exchanged glances, both aware that Royce was sincere in his concern for Brianna.

“Your back troubles you?” Moira asked.

“It is fine,” Brianna said, though Royce had been right—the pain in her back had grown worse since dismounting the horse and standing as long as she had. She should seek her bed, but she had no thought to do that, for she would surely spend all her time there crying.

“She is being stubborn,” Royce said with an annoyed wave of his hand. “Her back troubled her on the journey here. We stopped once for her to rest, but she needs rest now. She should not be standing; bed is where she should be.”

“Brianna,” Ian said firmly, “do not be stubborn. We can discuss this matter tomorrow.”

“This matter will be settled now,” she demanded. “And in little time, for I will not wed him.”

“And if there is a child?” Royce asked, walking up to her.

Brianna did not back away from him, but raised her chin. “There is no child and you know it.”

“You are so certain that you cannot conceive a child?”

“Aye, I am.”

Ian and Moira let the two argue, taking each other’s hand as they listened with interest to the battle of wills.

“Then you should have no objection to agreeing to wed me if you are with child,” Royce said, his challenge issued.

Brianna did not hesitate; there was no reason.

This was one battle he would lose. She suddenly wondered if he did wish to lose it.

He knew that she could give him no children; perhaps this was his way of being rid of her.

The thought brought a heavy weight to her heart, but she kept her chin high. “I will wed you if I am with child.”

“You give me your word on it?” Royce asked.

“Aye, you have my word and?—”

Royce did not allow her to finish. He turned to Ian.

“You heard her give me her word. You will honor this arrangement?”

“I will not object to it,” Ian said. “My sister has made her choice.”

Tears threatened Brianna’s eyes, and she wanted desperately to run from the room and never set eyes on Royce again, but her pride would not allow her to leave. She would stand firm and be courageous even though her heart was breaking.

Royce turned back to Brianna and leaned in close to her, his words meant only for her ears. “I never lose.”