Page 65 of Conquer the Highlander

He suddenly froze, remembering who he was talking to. He looked at her, his expression full of remorse.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I dinna meant tae…”

She cut him off, though not harshly. “Do not worry so,” she said. “You told me that part of your life is over and I believe you. But I acknowledge that it was part of your life. It cannot be undone.”

It was his turn to heave a sigh of relief as he reached out and grasped her hand, squeezing it. “I will be honest,” he said. “The money is the only thing I miss. The rest of it… it had become habit. Sometimes, it’s difficult tae break a habit. But it is surprising how much I canna stand tae look at another woman when I know ye’re waiting for me. Ye’re the only woman I want tae see.”

She smiled, watching him kiss her hand over the tabletop. “I see them at the gates near the staging area, still waiting for you,” she said. “I’ve also seen you flex your muscles for your adoring throng so they’ll throw more money at you.”

He bit his lip to keep from smiling guiltily. “Does it distress ye? If it does, I willna do it anymore.”

She laughed, mostly because he looked so guilty. “As long as you do not touch them and they do not touch you, I am unconcerned,” she said. “Besides… they have good taste. They may want you, but I have you.”

He snorted. “A very wise attitude,” he said. “The money is for us, after all.”

She cocked her head. “Us?”

He nodded, returning to the last of his food. “Money tae pay for passage back tae Navarre,” he said. “Money tae travel the world. Money for a home for ye. For us.”

The smile was back on her lips. “A home for us?” she repeated. “Titus, are you proposing marriage to me?”

“I dinna say marriage, ye greedy woman. I said a home.”

She was trying hard not to laugh. “So you intend to buy a home for us but not marry me? I am not entirely sure I like that.”

He wouldn’t look at her. “Ye live with me here and we’re not married.”

“Do you ever want me to share your bed?”

He shrugged. “Mayhap. I havena decided.”

He was teasing her. She ripped her hand from his grip. “Is that so?” she gasped, though she was mostly jesting. “You conceited whelp! I’ll go find another man to tend house for if this is your attitude.”

He started laughing. “I’ll kill any man ye try tae charm,” he said. “Ye’d better stay with me. Only I know how tae handle ye.”

“You think so, do you?”

He finally looked up from his food, a grin tugging at his lips. “Of course I’ll marry ye if ye’re going tae cry about it,” he said. “Is that what ye want tae hear?”

She shook her head slowly. “Titus, you are as romantic as a bellyache,” she said with disapproval. “Ask me nicely and I may agree.”

“Ye’ll agree any way I ask ye.”

“¿Eso crees, querido?”

The only word he recognized was querido, a sweet term she’d been calling him for the past few days. It meant darling or sweetheart in Spanish. But he didn’t recognize anything else and his lips pressed into a flat line.

“If we’re going tae argue, have the decency tae do it in a language I can understand.”

She began to laugh. “You are far too confident. A man with humility is appealing.”

“A man with humility doesna get the prettiest lass in all the world,” he said. “I’ve got ye and I intend tae keep ye, Bee.”

Esme didn’t have the energy or the desire to keep up her act of indignation. When he started flattering her, she caved easily.

“Very well,” she said. “If it will make you happy, I will marry you.”

“If it’ll make ye happy, I’ll marry ye.”