Anger faded from his eyes replaced by a wicked glint. “You think you can stop me, wife?”
“Aye, I can stop you,” Bliss said confidently, and startled when his hands suddenly shackled her wrists.
“Tell me how you would do that,” he demanded, the strength of his grip holding her firm.
She smiled softly. “I would ask you not to do it.”
“And you think that would stop me?”
“Your love for me would stop you since I would remind you how very much I love you and how I could not bear to lose you, and you would know it to be true since you feel the same for me.”
“My love for you is the very reason I would do whatever was necessary to make sure the witch speaks the truth,” he argued. “And what if your sister did find her? How did she succeed while I failed?”
“If we went to see Annis, we would have our answers.”
“You are going nowhere but to bed,” he said.
Bliss stared at him for a moment, her temper sparking. “I implied we, and you referred to only me. Do not dare tell me you would go on your own to see my sister and Lord Brogan.”
Rannick had no choice, he had to be truthful with her. “My father will see you kept well-protected since he believes you will give the clan an heir. A troop of warriors and my own keen skills will keep me safe. I am far more eager than you can imagine in finding out if the witch has been found.”
Bliss yanked free of her husband’s grip, though she was wise enough to realize it was because he had loosened his grip and allowed her to do so. Her temper flared even more when he began to don his garments.
“You intend to leave now?” she asked incredulously.
“At first light,” he confirmed.
“That is why you were distracted when making love to me. You knew all this and did not tell me,” she accused, upset that he kept it from her churning her stomach.
“You seemed pleased enough with our lovemaking or were you not as satisfied as you appeared to be?” he asked, a heated glare in his eyes.
She laughed, though it was not a pleasing laugh. “That is what concerns you whether you pleased me or not, not that you kept your plan from me?”
“I knew you would not be pleased with it,” he said as if his excuse sufficed.
“So, if you think something will displease me, you simply will not tell me about it? Perhaps I should do the same.” She reached for her shift to slip on, feeling too exposed naked, especially with her husband clothed. Her husband’s hand locked around her wrist, stopping her.
“You will keep nothing from me,” he ordered.
“Nay, husband,” she said defiantly. “If you keep things from me, then I will do the same.”
Guilt jabbed at her, since she was already keeping something from him.
Rannick yanked her close to him. “I trust you not to do to me what others have done. You promised to speak truthfully to me, and I have trusted your word. Perhaps I should have told you of my plan before now and perhaps it is no excuse to lay blame on my fear of failing to keep you safe if I took you with me, but I must see this done. I must learn what Brogan knows that he will not trust to a messenger.”
“Do you not think I feel the same? Do you not think I wish to rush off and speak with my sister?” she argued. “If it is dangerous for me to go, then it is just as dangerous for you as well. What if something happened to you? Where does that leave me? I would no longer be welcomed—” She caught the lie before it spilled past her lips. She would be more than welcomed here once Lord Lochlann found out she was with child.
His hands fell away from her wrists and his arms quickly circled her. “This is your home now and always.”
“It is no home unless you are here,” she said and rested her head on his chest and hugged him tight. “Please, Rannick, do not go. Do not leave me.”
He kissed her brow before reluctantly stepping away from her. “I will be right back.”
She grabbed his hand. “Promise.”
“You have my word,” he said and kissed her hand before letting go.
Bliss went to the bed and sat. Tears had threatened her while speaking to her husband, so much of their conversation unnerving her. She had managed to keep them from pooling in her eyes but no more. They rose to the surface, glistening there. The guilt of not telling him that she was with child plagued her, though it could very well be his response to the news that worried her more.