He turned to his enemy, too furious to speak.
She stepped forward, hand outstretched. When he did nothing more than glare at her, she allowed her hand to drop to her side. "Jack, please. You must accept our marriage."
"Why?"
Slowly, she placed her hand upon her stomach, "Because I told everyone I was carrying your child."
"You did what?"
A blush stained her cheeks. "I told both of our families that I was with child and that was why we'd married. It's the only reason Father MacCanney agreed to wed us."
"You bloody bi--"
"Don't." Her eyes flashed. "I would not have involved you had I any other choice. Our families are poised on the brink of war. The feud must end. And it will end here, healed by our marriage."
There was silence as he fought to find a way to overturn her reasoning. He hadn't spoken to his family for over fifteen years, betrayed one time too many. It was ironic that he, of all of them, should have the family fate thrown into his lap and that he, and no one else, had been called upon to save the lot of them.
He raked a hand through his hair. "I don't see how this marriage will end the feud."
"It won't, Jack." She spoke low, her voice suddenly husky. "But the birth of our child will."
He turned then to look at her. "There is no child, is there?"
"Not yet." The sun streamed in from the window and lit her brown hair to a warm auburn, her green eyes seeking his. The light caressed her head to foot, limning her curves, heating her skin.
His heart ached at the sight. He'd loved her once. He couldn't afford to love her again.
Her voice rose softly and, meeting his gaze, she said, "Give me a child, Jack. Give me a child and end this feud forever."
Do you want to read more? ORDER IT!
top