She bristled. It didn’t matter that she’d come to the same conclusion herself, she didn’t like being ordered and dictated to. It reminded her too much of her father. “That is for me to decide, Alex. Not you.”

“You are dead wrong about that. If you think that I’ll let this charade continue, that I will allow my wife to keep putting herself in danger, you are mad.” Allow? “Do you even realize the horrible position you’ve put me in? I’ve had to lie for you, but I will not keep doing so.” He paused, adding as if he knew her thinking, “And if you are thinking about running to your father, don’t bother. I’ve already talked to him.”

He’d seen Lachlan? If the allow comment wasn’t enough to make her angry, that threw her over the edge. “By God, Alex, what were you thinking? Are you sure you are not the one who is mad? He could have killed you. God knows, he’s been waiting for the chance.”

“Aye, well he didn’t. I pointed out that he might not want to stick a knife in the back of his future son-in-law.”

Joan made a face. “I can only imagine his reaction to that.”

Alex didn’t say anything; he didn’t need to. They both knew what Lachlan thought of him.

“I won’t be ordered about, Alex. Not even by you. If you think marriage gives you that right, then you are mistaken. I have been doing this a long time; I am not a helpless maid in need of rescue. And if that is why you wish to marry me, you should reconsider. I know what I am doing, and I will continue to do whatever it takes to help our cause with or without your permission.”

“Your cause,” he corrected. “It isn’t mine anymore. Whatever it takes? Christ, you sound just like Boyd. It doesn’t matter who you hurt, who you lie to, and who you use as long as you win, is that it? God, I thought you loved me—or was that a lie, too?”