Page 90 of My Brave Highlander

"Damnation, Isobel," he growled, but kept his voice low. "Did we… hell, I know we did."

"Do you not remember?" Her stomach sank.

"I thought it was a dream." He muttered several shocking curses in Gaelic. "Why did you allow me to… do this?"

Because it was what she'd wanted too. But, as a woman, was she allowed to say that? Or would he see her as scandalous? He deserved the truth. "I wanted it as much as you did. I thought you were aware of what you were doing."

"How many times?" he questioned.

"Two."

His eyes rolled back in his head as if he were killed on the spot.

The plaid enticingly low around his hips, he paced back and forth before the bed. "Are you mad? What if I… what if you…?" Shaking his head, he muttered more curses.

She recalled the explosive joy of what they'd done. The unbelievable pleasure. How could he possibly not remember it? Certainly it had been ill advised and reckless, but she had been unable to resist. 'Haps she was an immoral wanton, but it had been one of the best experiences of her life. For him not to feel the same humiliated her. She knew his honor was at stake, but to her, what they shared was far greater than honor. She wanted him to be the center of her life.

I love him. Oh, saints! She did; she loved him. She couldn't have given herself to him so completely otherwise. Their lovemaking had nothing to do with duty and everything to do with the emotions growing between them.

"I don't understand," he said, frowning as if greatly troubled. "You were not a virgin, yet there's a blood stain on the sheets." He pointed to the middle of the bed. "Did I hurt you? Tell me I didn't force you."

"You didn't. I wanted to do it."

"Why is there a blood stain?"

"The truth is… I was a virgin."

Chapter Seventeen

A virgin?

What the devil? Standing beside the bed, Dirk stared down at Isobel, wearing only a sheet and still lying temptingly in his bed. He struggled to wrap his mind around this bit of information that didn't fit with anything else.

"You said you were married! A widow! Is that a lie?"

"Stop yelling! I did not lie." Her glare remained on him but her voice softened. "My husband was unable to perform in the bedchamber. He was ill most of the time I knew him."

Dirk frowned. With so many conflicting emotions spiraling inside him, he was unsure what he truly felt. "Your husband never bedded you?"

She shook her head. "Everyone thought he did. He begged me not to tell anyone because he was ashamed. The clan would view him as weak. So, everyone thought I was barren."

Though it might be wicked of him, some part of him was glad the old earl had been unable to perform his husbandly duty. Dirk's primal side was overjoyed to have been her first. But his rational side knew this meant trouble. An honorable man didn't deflower a virgin and walk away.

How had an innocent seduced him? Or had he seduced an innocent? How the hell could he lose control like that and bed a woman he'd never intended to bed? Certainly, he'd wanted to, but he was confident he could resist. Was he mad? Nay, the medicinal herbs, he suddenly remembered. Had Isobel drugged him with the help of the healer?

"But how did this happen?" He pointed between himself, her and the bed.

She lay on her side, looking beyond seductive, whether she meant to or not, wearing only the sheet and a plaid blanket. Her dark gaze moved over his chest. "I thought you were experienced."

He let out an exasperated breath. "I am. But how precisely did we end up in bed together? I remember I was very cold and you lay on top of me to warm me." How heavenly that had been.

"Aye. You were near frozen solid from where you fell into the water in the cave, then the long trek here in the cold wind."

"I appreciated your help. I remember the pain in my head… then the healer gave me an herbal tea to drink. What was in it?"

"She said it was something for pain. I'm not a healer and know only a little about herbs."

He could detect no deceit in her eyes. Maybe she was being honest and had no part in trying to drug him. "How did that lead to this?" He motioned at the bed.