"I do."
"But I was just explaining to Father Laggan that I must-"
"Answer Ramsey's question, Gillian," Brodick ordered.
She gave up trying to control the conversation then and there. "How did I climb down to get Alec? It was simple. I closed my eyes."
"It must have been difficult for you. I saw how your face turned gray a few minutes ago when you were close to the ledge."
"I didn't have a choice, and I didn't have much time. Alec's rope was tearing."
"Now, lass, if I could gain your cooperation for a moment, I would like to ask a few pertinent questions," Father Laggan insisted.
At the very same time Ramsey said, "Of course you had a choice. To do something you're so obviously afraid of required bravery."
"Gillian did what needed to be done. Of course she's brave," Brodick said.
She disagreed. "No, I wasn't brave at all. I was so scared I was shaking. And I cried," she thought to add.
"Gillian, you will not argue with me about this. I have said that you are brave, and you will accept that I know what I'm talking about."
She didn't like being contradicted. "Brodick, the pope is infallible. You are not. Therefore, you cannot possibly know-"
"I really would like to continue," the priest urged. "Now, lass, I need to know this. Are you in good standing with the Church?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"He wants to know if you're in good standing with the Church," Brodick repeated.
She looked from one to the other. "I believe I am."
"And when was your last confession?" Laggan asked.
She hesitated.
"Answer him," Brodick ordered.
Her temper flared. "I have asked you not to take that tone with me," she whispered. "I don't like it."
Father Laggan heard her. His mouth dropped open, his eyes bulged, and he stammered, "You dare to criticize Laird Buchanan?"
Embarrassed because he had heard her rebuke, she tried to justify her actions. "He dared to snap at me, Father. You heard him, didn't you? Shouldn't I stand up for myself?"
"Yes, of course you should, but, lass, most women wouldn't. They would fear his retaliation."
She scoffed at the notion. "Brodick would never harm a woman."
Father Laggan surprised her then by laughing. "I have heard it said that there is a special woman for every man, no matter how contrary and barbaric that man might be, and now I must admit that it is certainly so."
"Can we get on with this?" Brodick demanded.
"Yes, of course," Father agreed. "Lady Gillian, I ask you again. When was your last confession?"
She blushed. "It's been a long while."
Laggan didn't like hearing that. "And why haven't you partaken of this most holy sacrament?"
"I must answer these questions before I can continue to Ramsey's?" she asked.
"You must," Ramsey said.
"Father's waiting for your answer," Brodick reminded her.
Her head was beginning to ache. She seemed to be the only one who thought the priest's inquisition was strange, but when she got Brodick alone, she was going to demand that he explain. For the moment, she decided to placate all of them. "I haven't gone to confession because England has been placed under an interdict and priests are not allowed to administer the sacraments except in dire emergencies. Surely you've heard of our pope's… unhappiness… with King John. The two are waging war over who will be the Archbishop of Canterbury."
Father Laggan nodded. "The interdict. Yes, of course. What was I thinking? I forgot you came to us from England. Now then, would you like me to hear your confession now?"
"Now?"
She hadn't meant to shout the question, but she was so appalled by the suggestion that she recount her sins in front of Brodick and Ramsey, and without a veil separating her from Father Laggan, she simply couldn't control her reaction.
"She hasn't done anything to warrant forgiveness," Brodick assured Laggan.
"How would you know?" she asked, clearly rattled.
Brodick laughed. "I know."
She glared at him. "I have sinned," she said, inwardly groaning because she sounded as though she were boasting.
"No, you haven't."
His contradiction was the last she was going to put up with. "I have too," she insisted. "Thanks to you, I've been plagued with impure thoughts, and they've all been about you, so you see? I have too sinned."
Only after the words were spoken did she realize what she had said. "My sins are all your fault, Brodick, and if I have to go to purgatory, then by God, you're going with me. Ramsey, if you do not stop laughing, I swear I shall toss you over this cliff."
"Do you love him, lass?" Father asked.
"I do not," she answered emphatically.
"It isn't a requirement," Laggan pointed out.
"I should hope not," she cried.
"But it would make your life easier," he countered.
"Gillian, you will tell the truth," Brodick demanded.
He grabbed hold of her hand. She tried to pull back, but he wouldn't let go.
"I have told the truth. I don't love Ramsey, and if he doesn't stop laughing at me, the Sinclairs will soon be looking for a new laird."
"Not Ramsey," Laggan shouted so he could be heard over Ramsey's laughter. "I'm asking you if you love Brodick."
"Did you tell Father I love you? Who else did you tell?"
In Brodick's opinion, the question didn't merit an answer. He quietly asked her to tell him again that she loved him.
"Brodick, now is not the time…"
"It's the perfect time."
She didn't agree. "What I said to you was private."
"Do you love me?"
Reluctant to admit the truth in front of an audience hanging on her every word, she bowed her head. "I do not wish to discuss matters of the heart now."
Brodick wouldn't be denied, and after nudging her chin up, he asked her again, "Do you love me?"
He squeezed her hand to get her to respond. "You know that I do," she whispered.
His expression solemn, he pulled the strip of plaid from behind his shoulder and draped the end over their joined hands.
Gillian understood what was happening then. In a panic, she tried to pull her hand free, but Brodick wouldn't let go of her, and after a few seconds of struggling, she stopped fighting.
Her heart belonged to him.
Staring into her eyes, he commanded, "You will give the words."
She stubbornly remained silent. He stubbornly persisted. "I want the words, Gillian. Don't deny me."
She could feel everyone watching her, and she knew how relentless Brodick could be. He would continue to prod her until he had what he wanted. Besides, it wasn't possible for her to deny him her love, and if he needed to hear the words again, then she would say them.
With a sigh she realized she had lost the battle, yet victory was hers. "I love you," she said in the barest of whispers.
"Now and forever?"
She paused for a moment and then put all her worries and fears aside, and made up her mind.
"Yes."
"And I will honor and protect you, Gillian," Brodick said. His hand moved to the back of her neck, and he roughly pulled her close. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Father Laggan raise his hand and make the sign of the cross.
She was powerless to resist when Brodick lowered his head to kiss her. There was such blatant possessiveness in his touch. Her hand stroked the side of his face, and for the moment she ignored her audience and the cheers echoing in her ears. When he finally let go of her, she had to grab hold of the pommel to keep from falling off her horse. She tried to repair her appearance while Brodick tossed the strip of plaid back over his shoulder and secured it in his belt.
She kept waiting for Brodick to say something to her, but he seemed content to remain silent, and so she turned to Father Laggan.
"God be with you," he said.
Ramsey, grinning like a culprit, slapped Brodick's shoulder. "We must celebrate tonight."