The Highlander's Woman (The Reckless Rockwoods #3) by Monica Burns Page A

worst of him if she’d seen him ride off with Una. He wanted to bang his head against the wall out of frustration for being such a thick-headed dolt.
    “Anyone who reads the society page knows about it by now. But it still doesn’t explain why you were looking for a house with the woman you say isn’t your mistress.” Each word she spoke crackled with anger and humiliation. Christ Jesus, everyone they knew, including her family, would think the worst. But all he cared about was what Patience believed. His sluggish brain tried to frame an answer without betraying his oath to Caitriona.
    “Tis difficult to explain, mo ghràdh ,” he muttered. He saw Patience wince, and he took a step forward only to see her recoil from him. Her retreat cut through him like a knife.
    “It’s not difficult at all Julian. Either you did or didn’t go house hunting with the woman.” Her voice made the same sound icicles made when they snapped free of a tree limb.
    “I did,” he growled. “But tis no’ what it looks like, Patience.”
    “What is it supposed to look like?” The question was delivered with a cold, detached bluntness that made him feel as though she’d kicked him. “You took the woman house hunting, and you were with her last night.”
    How in God’s name was he supposed to explain he’d been with Una looking at houses for her sister? The mere fact that Una was in the same room as Caitriona’s labor progressed made it impossible to deny being with the woman. Worse, it meant betraying Caitriona’s confidence if he explained why Una had been with him last night as they waited for her sister to give birth.
    “I give you my word, Patience. I was not with Una last night,” he said quietly and firmly. It was the truth as far as sharing the woman’s bed, but the white lie still didn’t sit well with him. For a fleeting second he thought he saw hope soften her features before her expression hardened with distrust.
    “Then tell me where you were.” Patience demanded sharply. Julian shoved a hand through his dark hair.
    “Tis difficult to explain,” he muttered. His words made Patience wince, and he took a step forward only to see her retreat from him once more. A vise wrapped around his chest the moment she drew back.
    “Then explain about your meeting with Lord Mayberry,” she said softly. Something in her voice said he was treading treacherous waters.
    “I told you, I did no’ meet with Mayberry—”
    “Liar.” The sharp accusation made him freeze as he stared at the cold rage in his wife’s eyes. He tilted his head slightly to study her warily.
    “I am no’ a liar, Patience,” he said quietly knowing full well he was exactly what she’d called him. “I did no’ meet with Lord Mayberry yesterday or today.”
    “But you did meet with him, didn’t you?”
    “I’ve already answered the question,” he snapped.
    “I saw Lord Mayberry yesterday, and he said you met last Thursday.”
    Patience’s words crackled like ice breaking beneath his feet. She knew he’d come back to London without coming home. It only made him look all the more guilty. Julian was a man drowning as he stared at her. It was obvious she’d already formed an opinion, and it wasn’t good. His tired brain didn’t respond quick enough with an explanation, and her mouth thinned into a tight line of anger.
    “You were in London for two days before you came home, Julian. Where were you?”
    “ Bloody hell , tis no’ what it looks like, Patience.” He shoved both hands through his hair. His head was starting to hurt as if he’d just awoken from a night of drinking.
    “What is it supposed to look like Julian?” she glared at him with a cold disdain that ignited an angry frustration inside him. Julian intended to wring Una’s neck for upsetting Patience and making his wife doubt his love for her.
    “You don’t deny you were with her,” she sneered. “So, I’ll ask you again. Is she your mistress?”
    “ Damn it , Una is