“About thirty minutes ago.” He was grinning. “I did him several favors tonight and he very kindly gave me my own chamber as a reward. I ducked inside it to shower, but I had no intention of using it tonight. He does know we sleep together, so I assume that it was only wishful thinking that you might change your mind about me considering the hell I’ve put you through this time.”

She shook her head. “We’ve already discussed your work. I could have said no.”

“But you didn’t. Very generous. But I’m afraid MacDuff will have to be disappointed again. Because, with your permission, I don’t want to let you go tonight. There are a few things I want to say to you.”

“You don’t want to hear about Fiona and MacClaren?”

“I’ll be fascinated to hear about them, and the treasure, but not at the moment.” He bent his head and pressed his lips to the hollow of her throat. “And I love this little hollow, but I can wait for that, too. Palik said something when I was talking to him this afternoon and it made me uneasy. I have to get this out.”

“Then you’d better do it quickly,” she said. “Because you’re not getting your point across very clearly. I’m going in the other direction.”

“In most cases that’s to be applauded.” He turned out the lamp and lay down beside her. “It will be better for me if I can’t see you.” He put his arms around her and held her close. “And this is good, too.” He said softly, “You know why I’ve been hesitant to bring a child into the world who might be like me. It can be…painful. I didn’t want to hurt it. And God knows I don’t want to hurt you.”

“And you wouldn’t,” she said fiercely. “I know it. I know you. You wouldn’t let it happen.”

“Hush. I don’t want you to try to convince me. Because I am already convinced. I will never let harm of any sort to come to either of you. Palik thought I didn’t want this baby. I wondered if perhaps you believed that, too. I couldn’t let you continue to believe it. Nothing is further from the truth. Yes, I do want our child. I was almost afraid to want it this much.” His voice was hoarse, almost guttural in the darkness. “I know what it is to be different, special. It’s like that even if there’s no threat involved. The fear can make the people around you see a threat even if it doesn’t exist. But I won’t let being special hurt our child. I’ll find a way out of it.”