The Bride Says No Read Online Free PDF Page B

truly. She knew that.
    But this man, her Ruary, had once offered his heart and soul to her. And she had not valued them. She had not realized how precious a gift his love had been.
    Ruary broke the silence first, his gaze shifting away from her. “Lady Tara, how good to see you.” His words sounded rote, wooden, as if he groped for them.
    “It is good to see you as well,” she returned, equally formal in spite of the wild pounding of her heart. She had traveled a long way for him and had imagined him throwing himself at her feet in gratitude. It was a ludicrous picture. She knew that. But she had not expected this sudden awkwardness.
    Ruary stepped to the side. “If you will excuse me, my lady?” He didn’t wait for her response but began to pass her.
    She could not let him go. Not until she’d said her piece. She had given up so much, traveled so far. She reached for his arm, took hold of it. He stopped. Surprised. They now stood inches from each other.
    “I need to speak to you,” she whispered.
    He frowned at the ground. “That is not necessary—”
    “ It is .”
    Ruary didn’t respond. He didn’t move. He seemed to study the rusted hinge on the nearest wooden tack box, yet she knew he was as aware of her hand on him as she was. This connection was a force stronger than any she had ever known.
    “I’ve surprised you,” she said. “I know my appearance is a shock.”
    “This is your home.” There was a beat of silence, then he said, “I understand you are to marry.”
    Of course he’d heard about her upcoming marriage. That was the reason for his restraint.
    Tara could have laughed for joy, but then she heard voices in the stable yard. They were not alone and she needed to speak to him, to pour out her heart. She pulled him into the shadowy haven of the grain room. They used to meet here. It had been one of their hiding places.
    He came. He followed.
    He did care .
    “I was to marry,” she admitted, keeping her voice low, not wanting them to be overheard and disturbed. “In three days’ time—but then I found I couldn’t go through with it. I bolted.”
    She had his complete attention now. “Bolted? Tara, what are you saying?”
    “You called me by my given name,” she said with a touch of wonder.
    Ruary reacted as if she’d struck him. “I’m sorry, I meant, my lady—”
    She stopped his apology by throwing her arms around him, an impetuous move that brought her right where she wanted to be. She held tight. He smelled of fresh air, shaving soap and leather. She had missed the scent of him. “ You are not out of line. You never could be. It’s just that I’d feared never hearing my name upon your lips again. It sounds like music to me. How could I have been so foolish those years ago as to leave you?”
    Ruary responded with a moment of stunned silence. He stood very still, as if he was not ready to return the embrace. “What do you mean?”
    “I couldn’t go through with the marriage. I realized it was you I wanted. You , Ruary. I can’t live without you .”
    She expected a response. For three years, the finest men in London had begged her to say such words to them.
    Ruary’s mouth opened, but he could not speak.
    “I have shocked you,” Tara said, wanting him to know she understood and excused his uneasiness. “Our parting was difficult. I’ve thought of it often.”
    She didn’t wait for his answer but charged ahead, “I was cruel to you when I left. Do you remember begging me to choose you instead of going to London? I could not hear of it because . . . I was afraid. There. That is the truth. Father would have been angry. Yes, he would. I also feared that if I didn’t go to London, if I didn’t see all the world had to offer, then I would have regrets. I would always wonder, What if? ”
    “Tara, you have nothing to explain—”
    “ But I do . I hurt you when I chose to leave. I know I did.”
    Ruary took her arms and slowly, gently pushed her a step away. Dear