Page 36 of Love Me Forever (Highland Duo #2)

Royce took a slow step toward her, and she did not retreat from him. “I love you and will not let you go.”

“I love you and do not wish to leave you, but I am another man’s wife and that must be settled first.”

“You carry my child,” he reminded, his hand settling over her stomach.

She covered his hand with hers.

“Both of you are mine.”

She did not know how to respond. What did she do when she carried the child of the man she loved and was married to a man she despised? And what if her brother imprisoned Arran for his crimes? She remained legally wed to him and was not a free woman. Did she go with Royce and live in sin?

“There is much to be discussed and decided,” she said, hoping that somehow a satisfying conclusion could be reached.

“The only discussion necessary is when you will be ready for departure.”

“I cannot run away.”

“We have a right to be together.” He sounded angry, but Brianna knew he suffered.

“Until this is settled you and I have no right. Please, Royce, be patient. I fear losing you.”

He took her in his arms and held her close. “You will not lose me; this I promise you.”

A knock on the door interrupted them. Moira peeked around the edge. “I do not wish to disturb you, but Ian wishes to speak with Royce.”

“Not me?” Brianna asked.

Moira entered, shaking her head. “He feels you have been through enough for today and that tomorrow is soon enough to speak with you.”

“Your brother is right,” Royce said, reluctantly releasing her. “This has been upsetting for you. Relax. I will return when I am done.”

Brianna voiced her irritation. “This is my life, my decision.”

Royce disagreed. “You are my wife and my responsibility. I will see to this.”

His command did not sit well with her. For too long decisions had been made for her and always in her best interest. Not until she was free of Arran, and on her own, did she realize how much she enjoyed her independence.

She did not wish to lose that now, not after it had taken her so long to regain it.

“This is for me to decide.” She was firm. No tremble or shiver threatened to weaken her.

Royce wisely chose patience over anger. “We love each other, Brianna and, therefore, requires a mutual decision between us and us alone.”

He was right. This decision would affect them both and their child. She could not be selfish about it, but then, she should not be disregarded.

“That is all the more reason why I should be present when you and Ian speak.”

A sensible retort but one Royce did not agree with, though he remained patient. “Allow me to speak with your brother, and then we both will speak with him together.”

“If you speak with him alone, then I speak with him alone. We are either together or not.”

His patience was beginning to thin. “There are some things men discuss that are not for women to hear.”

“If it concerns me, I wish to hear it.”

Moira had remained silent until now. “I agree with you, Brianna. If a woman does not speak and demand, her life will never be hers.”

Royce knew when he was outnumbered. “Let me speak with Ian and?—”

“Let us all join Ian,” Moira said, walking over to Brianna and hooking her arm with hers.

He was wise enough to realize he had lost the skirmish and wondered if Ian would be more victorious, though having grown to know Moira, he doubted it.

Royce walked to the door and held it open. “After you, ladies.”

Arm in arm and with satisfied smiles Moira and Brianna preceded Royce out the door.

Ian looked passed his wife and sister as they entered his solar to Royce, who followed behind them.

Royce grinned, shrugged, and cast an eye toward Moira.

Ian shook his head, accepting defeat.

Brianna spoke up. “I have a right to be here, Ian.”

“I suppose you do, so I will not argue with you, since it would be pointless, especially since my wife stands beside you.”

“That I do,” Moira said, as if anyone should doubt it.

“Arran rests more comfortably than he deserves in the keep’s dungeon,” Ian said, knowing it was useless to disagree with the two women and wanting to settle this matter as quickly as possible. “He insists on speaking with you, Brianna.”

Royce answered for her. “She will not speak with him.”

“It is up to Brianna,” Ian reminded.

Royce looked at Brianna, and she understood that what he had said was true, this was a matter that required consideration between them and she could not do that standing beside Moira. She should be standing by the man she truly considered her husband.

She walked over to Royce and slipped her hand in his. “It is something that Royce and I must decide together.”

Royce raised their joined hands to kiss hers. “I am proud you are mine.”

His words stirred her heart. It had been many years since anyone had told her they were proud of her, and she thrilled at the thought that he took pride in her.

Ian was glad to see them unite over this. “Then you do not wish to speak with him?”

“I truly do not know what I would say to him. He stirs old memories and fears I thought I had laid to rest.”

“You have nothing to fear,” Royce said harshly, angry that another caused her fear. “I will always protect you.”

“I know,” Brianna said with a soft smile. “I have no doubt of that, but a small part of me wonders . . .”

Royce understood and it did not sit well with him.

“You wonder if I truly can protect you.”

“Arran is my husband.” Brianna’s voice trembled. “He has rights with me that you do not. He is deceptive and he charms without most realizing it.”

“Your brother is not ignorant,” Royce insisted. “He will see that he is made to pay for his crimes. He will sentence him to death and be done with this matter.”

“He cannot,” Brianna said, turning to her brother. “If you order his execution, all will say that you did so only so that Royce and I could wed.”

“You understand my dilemma,” Ian said with a sense of relief.

Royce shook his head. “I do not understand. Ian leads the clan and his decision is law. Arran attempted to take Moira’s life. That is a crime punishable by death. He should get what he deserves.”

“I have shown mercy before and Arran knows this,” Ian explained.

“You cannot think of letting him go without punishment?” Royce asked incredulously.

“Nay, I would not do that,” Ian assured him.

“He deserves imprisonment, but my sister does not and there lay my dilemma. If I sentence him to imprisonment, my sister remains his wife and is not free to wed you. If I sentence him to death, Brianna is right; many will talk and doubt my fairness as a leader.”

Royce understood all too well the difficulty of leading a clan. “A leader cannot always be fair; he must do what is right and oftentimes difficult.”

Ian agreed. “Aye, you are right and this is a difficult decision.”

Royce lost all patience. “Do as you will with Arran, but Brianna leaves here tonight with me.”

“That is not wise,” Ian said firmly. “Until this is settled, Brianna should remain here.”

“And be sentenced to imprisonment along with Arran? For she will never be free as long as he remains alive.”

“I understand your concern,” Ian said, remaining calm. “But Arran will not be able to tolerate imprisonment for long, and he will make an unwise move.”

“Until then you expect Brianna and me to wait?”

“I ask for patience from you both.”

There was no patience in Royce’s response. “Your sister carries my child; time is limited.”

Brianna could not prevent the strong yawn that attacked her, and she suddenly felt weary and wanted nothing more but to seek her bed. She rested her body against Royce.

He felt her weariness and grew concerned, scooping her up into his arms. “She has had enough for one day.”

Ian nodded. “I agree. She should rest. We will talk tomorrow.”

‘Tomorrow,” Royce said and left the room, hugging Brianna close to him.

He placed her on her bed, tucking a wool blanket around her. “I will return in a few moments and help settle you for the night.”

She yawned again. “I do not wish to sleep alone, not tonight.”

“I will return, I promise.” He kissed her cheek.

Brianna fell into a troubled sleep, drifting in and out of wakefulness. She wanted Royce to return; she missed his warmth and the comfort of his body beside her.

A sound alerted her to his presence, and she waited for him to join her.

“Brianna,” he whispered in her ear.

She turned from her side to her back, and as soon as she did so, she was scooped up into his arms.

He held her close. “It is time for us to leave.”