Rockwoods 03 - The Highlander's Woman by Monica Burns

Author:Monica Burns [Burns, Monica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Maroli SP Imprints
Published: 2015-05-15T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

* * *

Patience slowly opened the door that connected her room with Julian’s. He’d yet to learn she was in the room next to his, and she was no longer sure what he would make of the fact. Twice yesterday he’d called her mo leannan—sweetheart.

It could simply be a term of endearment he used without thinking, but it had made her hope Julian still had feelings for her buried just beneath his caustic manner. He was a proud man. Even if he still loved her, she’d sent him away under the pretext she thought him a liar. That alone would injure his fierce pride.

As she peeked around the door, she saw Julian was still fast asleep. She breathed a soft sigh of relief. She wasn’t sure she was ready to face his reaction when he discovered she was in the room next to his. Quietly, Patience stepped into Julian’s bedroom and closed the door linking their rooms. Julian had suffered in stoic silence for most of yesterday with the exception of short, harsh snarls whenever he did speak.

The man abhorred anything resembling confinement. That he’d remained in bed yesterday indicated how bad he’d felt. Last night, she’d added a few drops of laudanum to his chamomile tea hoping it would provide him with some well-needed rest. It had done precisely what she’d hoped as she’d checked in on him twice last night, and he’d not stirred either time.

Patience crossed the room and sat down on the edge of the mattress. She took Julian’s hand in hers and studied him as he slept. Julian had never looked so vulnerable to her. She knew the loss of his eyesight was far more devastating for him than he was willing to let others see. He’d never found it easy to ask for help. Julian’s independence was something he valued highly. His sister, despite the deep love she had for her brother, had most likely made things all the more difficult for him.

Muireall’s objection yesterday to Julian riding to the falls was an example of her sister-in-law’s love and concern for her brother. The girl’s reaction had made Patience regret challenging Julian to go riding with her. It had been impulsive and foolhardy on her part to suggest he was afraid to ride. But his gruff expression of gratitude for giving him the pleasure of being outdoors again convinced her that taunting him had been the right thing to do.

Instinctively, she knew it had been much more than being outdoors that Julian was grateful for. He hadn’t said so, but she was certain she’d given him a small measure of his independence back. But would he believe love had been her motivation in making him realize his lack of vision only hampered him in certain things. It didn’t change who he was, how he loved, or who loved him. Patience bent her head and kissed his fingers then left the room. When she entered the dining room a few moments later, Muireall’s head jerked up to meet Patience’s gaze with a look of worry on her sweet features.

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