“But not your quest for this isle. That came first, even before love.”
“Will you ever forgive me for the hurt I’ve caused you? Does it make any sense for me to continue to try to make you realize how much I love you? What must I do to make you understand how much I do not want to lose you?” He shook his head. “I should be done with this nonsense and negate our bargain. You are my wife and should remain my wife.”
“You told me the choice was mine. You go back on your word?”
“You really think I would not keep our bargain?” he asked.
“I know not what to think anymore. You love me and you love this land. Yet you used me to get this land. Now to prove you love me, you will give up this land? Or do you play me for a fool yet again?”
“What about accepting that I love you and love me in return? What about realizing that my plan never included hurting you. What about giving us a chance to make a life together?”
“You robbed us of that when you lied to me.”
“You are obstinate,” he said.
“Cautious,” she corrected.
“Too cautious. Why not take a chance?”
“I did once. I proposed to you.”
He reached out and grabbed her by the shoulders. “I am glad you did.”
“Of course, it served your plan well.”
He rested his forehead to hers. “I love you, Aliss. I don’t know how many times I must say it. I don’t know what else to do to prove it. This isle means much to me and I offer to surrender it for your love.”
“No, if you loved me you would have surrendered it when my family arrived to ransom me.”
Chapter 30
Aliss left Rogan behind in the woods. She had walked a good distance and had been nearing the edge of the woods when her pace finally slowed to a crawl. She was worn out more from her constant doubts than anything else.
“Do not put more of a distance between us.” Rogan said, coming up so quietly behind her that he startled her.
“It is not I who have placed the gap there.”
“Perhaps, but you can begin to close the gap if only you will let me into your heart. I will not hurt you again, I promise. Forgive me and let us start anew.”
She wanted to believe him, Lord, how she wanted to believe him.
He stepped up against her back and wrapped his arms gently around her then squeezed tight. “I don’t want to let you go. I love the feel of you in my arms, your fresh scent in my nostrils, the taste of you on my lips.”
“I have work—”
“It can wait,” Rogan said, and lovingly stroked her neck.
“You do not know that.”
“If the work was that important you would not have accepted my invitation to walk in the woods.”
“Let me go, please.”
“Are you certain?”
Her heart thudded madly in her chest. His tender touch, his warm breath against her skin, the strength of him wrapped around her, his asking forgiveness made her want to scream. No, I’m not certain about anything.
Instead, she nodded.
Rogan released her, his hand slowly drifting off her neck, tickling her skin until gooseflesh rushed down her arm.
She hurried off to her cottage before he could tempt her with another word or touch. The door to her cottage always remained open, an invitation to enter to all those seeking her skills. This time, however, she closed it behind her.
Work was not on her mind, Rogan was. He had penetrated her defenses in more ways than one. The flowers she had grown accustomed to receiving from him, their unplanned escapes, his kindness and the intimacy she longed to once again share with him.
He had made her fall in love more deeply with him without her even realizing it and the thought nearly broke down all her defenses.
He had wooed her and it looked as if he might be on the verge of winning the bargain with time still left to him. And yet, the memory of that day her family arrived to rescue her haunted her. If he loved her so very much, why hadn’t he negated his ransom demand?
A gentle rap on the door shattered her musings and she bade the caller enter.
Anna peeked her head in. “With the door closed I thought you might be resting.”
“Seeking a bit of solitude.”
“I can leave—”
“No,” Aliss said and waved her in. “I am sick of my own company.”
Anna laughed and opened the door wide. “Then let the sun and the beautiful day visit with you.”
The sun’s light spilled across her workstation and rushed over her, hugging her with its warmth and making her smile.
“I wanted to make sure you were all right.” Anna walked over to the table. “It’s not like you to close your door.”
“I am fine.”