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"I notice you frown every tih "I didn't understand that you didn't break ued, but you have explained we didn't"

He nodded "Why are you so restless in your saddle?"

He was going to make her admit her embarrassment "There is a little tenderness," she whispered "I've been shifting ht to ease the discomfort"

He lifted her from Gilly onto his lap and put his arms around her His chin dropped down on the top of her head next "Is it better now?"

"Yes, thank you"

"I'ht, am I?"

He actually sounded a little disappointed She had trouble believing hi with her and looked up to see if he was s away, however, and so she asked, "You want to touch ain?"

"Of course Why does that surprise you? I told you you didn't disappoint me, and I want children as soon as possible"

She leaned away from him "But after we, directly after… You told me you weren't disappointed, but I know you weren't very happy either"

"Why would you think such a thing?"

"You rolled away and ignored me You needn't pretend now just to make me feel better I'm bound to improve"

"Ah, lass, you'll kill me if you do"

She turned scarlet "Then you were happy… after?"

He let out a long sigh He couldn't understand why she needed to hear him admit it

"Yes"

"Why didn't you tell norant of wory "You could have given ave her a surprised look, and she iiven her when she'd told hiuess what you want You have to tell er have any need for co appalled It only just occurred to me that I didn't compliment you either I certainly wasn't disappointed"

"I know"

She ignored his arrogant remark "I believe we should start over" She nodded to e it "Yes, that's eall over"

What was she talking about? Start what over? If she hadn't looked so pleased with herself, and so damned happy, he probably would have demanded she explain herself

Brenna suddenly realized how considerate it was of hiain privacy for their intirateful you waited until ere alone to discuss my discomfort, and I feel better because you were concerned"

"That isn't e stopped"

She looked so disappointed, he decided to soften the truth "It was only one of the reasons we stopped

I also wanted to talk to you about your horse"

"Gilly's worn out, isn't she?"

"Yes," he agreed "We're going to have to leave her behind She won't make it up the last climb," he continued on, in spite of the fact that she was vehe her head at hiree with her husband He hoped she'd figure that out soon

"She's ready to collapse even now"

She kneas right about Gilly's condition, yet she wanted him to realize what he asked of her was io I'm very fond of her Surely you can understand I can't leave her behind Couldn't we stay here until she regains soth?"

"No"

"Please be reasonable"

"I aain what she never had She wasn't bred for endurance"

"But if we lingered just a little while…"

"It's too dangerous to stay here Would you put the lives of my men above those of your animal?"

Her shoulders slumped in defeat There didn't see to try to sway hiiven her such a valid reason

"I know you're right," she whispered "I would feel terrible if soht well injure herself if I continue to press her I was just being selfish, I realize that now Where should we leave her?"

"Right here is as good a place as any"

She dared to shake her head at hiain taken aback by her defiance In ti 'Twas a fact she'd done a complete turnabout She could barely speak a coherent word to him when she'd first met him, no doubt because of her fear Noever, she didn't seem intie, for he probably wouldn't have liked being married to a woman who trembled every time he looked at her He had expected Brenna to be like the other women he'd known, and he realized now his assu like the others; she onderfully, and exasperatingly, unique, too daood and his peace of , he really didn't believe it was necessary for her to tell hi with hi her horse was just one example; unfortunately there were already countless others

"Gilly couldn't possibly survive on her own Do pay attention, Connor I want you to understand You look a bit stunned," she added with a nod "Have I said so to upset you?"

He counted to ten before he answered her, hoping to cal in it when he asked, "Did you just tell me to pay attention?"