“I was?” It wasn’t the jarring of the galloping horse or the wind that made her voice so breathless.

“Aye. I was so convinced that what I was doing was right, my pride wouldn’t let me see when it wasn’t anymore. You can say I told you so all you want—after the wedding.”

She laughed, shooing his hand away before she started moaning. “How many times?”

“As many as you want. Although I may need a few minutes’ rest between.”

She had the feeling they weren’t talking about “I told you so’s” anymore. “A few minutes?”

“Give or take. I’m still working on my stamina.” She laughed, and he pulled her in tight again. “I’m not letting you go again, sweetheart. I love you.”

“If that is a proposal, I accept.” She turned, meeting his gaze in the moonlight. “And I love you, too.”

He grinned, and she thought he looked more like himself, until he caught Lachlan’s gaze. The look he shot back at him was every bit as venomous as her stepfather’s.

Clearly, it was going to take more than a wedding to make it right between them. But she was determined that one day it would be. Alex didn’t just belong with her and Bruce—he belonged with the Highland Guard.

“What did you say to him to convince him?” she asked.

Alex took a few moments too long to respond. “I told him we would have another celebration with your mother and siblings when you had had a chance to recover. He saw the wisdom of not having Bella see you like this.”

Joan didn’t blame him. Joan could imagine her mother’s reaction to her injuries—and what she would have to say to Bruce, Lachlan, and Alex about them. But she knew that wasn’t all. “Why did you point to your side?”

Alex’s face might have been in the shadows, but she would swear something resembling shame crossed his features. “I might have threatened him with something.”

“What?”

“I can’t tell you.”

“Alex . . .”

“I made a vow.”

She knew it wasn’t an accident when he flicked the reins and kicked his heels to urge the horse to a gallop, and the opportunity for conversation was lost.

But she wasn’t worried. She would get the truth out of him tonight. She would have to remind him about his vow to give up vows when it came to her.

Chapter 25

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