Dougray’s heart was thumping loud in his chest and it wasn’t just from the amazing sex he’d just had. Since Francesca’s death he’d not slept with a woman. He had forgotten how wonderful sex between those who cared for each other could be.

And he cared, and God damn it to hell, he had seen something in Emma’s eyes that sent fear racing through his veins.

Love. She could not hide it. Love that shone so bright it blinded him.

He fell onto the bed beside her, his head turned away from her beauty because he couldn’t look at her. He had never expected to feel so much.

He had taken many women to his bed before Francesca, mutual pleasure his only goal. But pleasuring Emma, introducing her to passion, was indescribable. The connection he felt made his possessive tendencies roar to life. The need to mark her as his rattled the chains around his heart.

Most likely it was because he knew Emma. He liked her. He found her very attractive, and now very desirable. He would never be able to look at her again without thinking of how those long, lean limbs felt wrapped round his hips. Or how he could stay sunk forever in her tight, hot sheath.

He should have said no.

He’d had a plan. A safe plan.

His plan was to marry Fiona, beget an heir, and save Ian Mackenzie as his father had bound him to do.

It was still his plan.

If he’d had any inkling that Emma loved him, he would have sent her packing the day she arrived.

“I never imagined it could be like that,” Emma said softly beside him. “Thank you.”

He turned his head, took her small hand in his, and pressing a kiss to her palm read the love once again in her wistful smile.

He knew what he had to say but the words choked in his throat.

He pushed himself off the bed and donned a robe over his nakedness.

He walked into the adjoining bedchamber, her bedchamber, his dead wife’s bedchamber, and gathered her night rail.

She was sitting up in bed with the sheet wrapped tightly around her like a shield. Her face showed her confusion and sadness.

He sat down on the edge of the bed and took her hand in his.

“This can’t happen again.”

Her face crumbled and he hated himself.

“Why?” she almost wailed.

“It would . . . it will only end up hurting more if I make love to you again, because it won’t be love on my part.”

He let his words sink in.

He tilted her chin up. “You should have been honest with me, sweetheart.”

She puckered up to protest but something in his eyes must have signaled the truth. “You would not have taken me to your bed if I had.”

He ran a finger down her face. “You are quite right, I would not have done this.”

Tears welled. “And I would never have missed this for the world. It was the most magical moment of my life.”

“I can’t give you what you deserve.”

She sighed and wiped a tear from her cheek. “You are still in love with your wife?” He said nothing. “And I won’t settle for anything less than love. So you see why I will remain a spinster.”

In that moment he realized she shouldn’t have to settle. Emma deserved a man who could give her his heart, and he couldn’t. Or was it “wouldn’t”?

Her eyes flashed with heat. “I’m not sorry. I’ll cherish this night.”

“Aye, so will I, lassie.” She had no idea how much he’d cherish it because the next woman he would have in this bed would never elicit the maelstrom of emotions that he felt for Emma.

And that’s why he’d chosen Fiona.

He stood up, wanting to touch her but afraid, because it would only stoke the attraction that simmered so close to the surface. He could cut the cooling air with a knife but he would not let himself fall in love again. He didn’t deserve love.

He turned his back as she modestly slipped into her night rail and knew the next few nights would be hell with her sleeping only a room away.

He scooped her into his arms and carried her to her bedchamber.

* * *

Pain lodged deep in Emma’s heart, but no bitterness. She would not regret one moment of what occurred between them. The only thing she did regret was her inability to hide the truth from the man she loved.

Then again, no she didn’t. At least now she had her answer. His heart was still too full of love for his dead wife.

“As soon as the weather clears and it’s safe to travel, I’ll take my leave.”

“That would probably be best,” he said. “You may take my carriage. I’ll make sure you are properly escorted.”

Dougray kept his gaze averted as he headed to the door. He hesitated before he left. “I think you should find someone more worthy to love. You are a passionate woman and it would be an absolute shame to see you spend your life alone.”

“Like you will?” she answered

His spine stiffened but he said no more as he slipped into his bedchamber and out of her life forever.