been absent from my daughters’ lives all these year, through no fault of my own, I feel compelled to attend to my fatherly duties. I would never expect my daughters to marry against their wishes, so therefore if Fiona wishes to wed you, then I give you both my blessings. If she does not wish to wed you, then I will see to it that she gets what she wants.”
Fiona spoke before Tarr could. “I appreciate your support, but I have taken care of myself and Aliss these many years and will continue to do so.”
She shot Aliss a glance, knowing without a doubt she would concur with her.
Aliss did not disappoint her. “I agree with my sister.”
“You possess the patience of a saint when dealing with your sister, Aliss,” Tarr said teasingly. “I should have fallen in love with you.”
“Love?” Fiona asked on a screech. “You claim to love me to get what you want, a wife and a brood mare.”
“I must love you to put up with your foolishness.”
“Foolishness?”
“You heard me,” he said, his face close to hers. “A brood mare may have been what I first wanted in a wife, but no more.”
“Are you telling me you do not expect me to bear your children?”
“Nay,” he said. “I always wanted children and I want those children to be ours conceived out of love, not out of duty.”
“How romantic,” Aliss sighed.
“Be quiet,” Fiona ordered.
“Fiona is right,” Anya said. “Tarr should explain further.”
Oleg shook his head. “The man has explained. He loves her, what more do you want of him?”
“Why has he suddenly changed his mind?” Anya demanded, looking to Tarr.
“Aye, why?” Fiona repeated her mother’s query.
“I have no answer,” he said with a shrug, “except that I love you. When did I fall in love with you? I cannot say. It simply happened—”
“And shocked you,” Fiona said accusingly.
“Aye, it shocked me,” Tarr admittedly freely. “I knew nothing of love. I was too busy learning to be a good chieftain, my father demanded it of me. I had no time to consider love, and besides, a marriage would be arranged. It is the way of things.”
“Not for me.”
“So I have learned.”
“So I am a fool for wanting to love the man I wed?”
“I thought you were,” Tarr said. “I thought I offered you much and that you were not only foolish for not accepting my generous offer but selfish.” Tarr pressed his finger to her lips to keep her silent. “I learned differently as time went on, and the more time we spent together the more time I wished to spend with you. I discovered I admired and respected you, and the ruse you perpetrated. In my eyes you were an adept warrior woman capable of anything, and as I made all these surprising discoveries, along the way I also fell in love with you.”
She shoved his finger off her lips. “How convenient!”
“Aye, for us both,” he said, and leaned close enough for their noses to touch. “There is much more that I wish to say to you but not here in front of everyone.”
“Why?”
“There are some words meant for your ears alone.”
“Give him a chance,” Aliss urged from beside her.
“Aye, I agree,” Oleg said. “Talk with him.”
Fiona looked to Anya. “Have you no opinion?”
“I reserve my opinion for a later time.”
“I agree with my father and Aliss,” Raynor said. “Be fair and talk with Tarr privately.”
Fiona stood. “I will give you but a few minutes.”
Tarr stood, grabbed her hand, and pulled her along behind him. “That is all I need.”
Chapter 25
They made their way to his bedchamber and Fiona hesitated at the door.
“It is the most private place and the place most likely we would not be disturbed,” Tarr said.
Fiona agreed by entering his room. She went to the window, though not for the view of the meadow. Rather, to put distance between them. She would grant him his few minutes, hear what he had to say, but no more. She would not allow him to touch her, and least of all kiss her. The thought itself made her anxious.
“Speak and be done,” she said more sharply than intended, and faced him with arms crossed over her chest.
“Is there any point?” he asked calmly, to her surprise. “Your mind seems set. Would what I say make a difference?”
“I said I would listen.”
“But would you hear?”
He stood just inside the closed door not having moved since he entered. She had expected him to approach her, attempt to touch her,