“Ghosts can come right through walls, can’t they?” he inquired, rolling from her and rising.
He had changed from his Highland garb, she saw. Tonight, he was decked out in a black cotton shirt, form-hugging black breeches, boots, and hooded black cape.
Shivers shot along her spine.
He looked a great deal like the shadowy form that had chased her from the Druid Stones.
“What did you do with him—the dead man?” she demanded.
“Weighted him down.”
“And?”
“Well, I’m sure he’s joined the remains of many another man who perished by righteous or illegal means throughout the centuries. He lies at the bottom of the loch.”
“Why?”
“Did you want it known you’re aware someone is after you? Do you think I want it known who rescued you?”
“My family can hardly take the proper steps for my safety if they are unaware that I am in danger.”
“What if someone in your family is creating the danger? What if they all want you dead?”
She slipped out of bed, standing very tall and determined as she faced him. “They don’t want me dead, and I refuse to listen to you.”
“You will listen to me.”
“I won’t. You’ve no right to accost me in the middle of the night after all these years with no explanation—David, no!”
Despite her protest and her desperate determination to back away, he was upon her in a flash. Her words were lost as he caught her wrists, drawing her hard against him. “Listen!” he commanded.
She wished fervently that he had not chosen such a way to force her to do so. A hot weakness pervaded her. She was far too aware of his warmth, his touch, the feel of his body against her own.
Far too aware of what had been in the past, and of the feelings that tormented her now.
“David—”
He was angry, not ready to release her. “Don’t speak, listen! I’ve every right to come here and more, my dear.”
“But where have you been all this time?” she cried.
“I’ve no intention of relaying my past. I seek to forget it, and I do truly suggest you cease trying to make me remember! Pay me heed, my lady. You have to listen to me, Shawna, you’ve gotno choice. For all that has been in the past, I am determined I will be with you, and I will keep you safe as we discover the exact truth of what happened here!”
She was silent for a moment, trying not to shiver while she studied his eyes. Dear God, what had he gone through? She wanted to touch him. She desperately wanted to reach out and touch his cheek, smooth his brow. His anger with her would never allow it. He wanted no tenderness from her, and if he wanted her at all, it was with that same anger.
He sought vengeance.
And still, he didn’t understand. Terrible things had happened, aye, but no MacGinnis could be capable of murder.
“You’re asking me to believe that my own flesh and blood are trying to kill me. I can’t believe you. Let me go, David. My god, David, think about it! It is absurd that my kin would want to harm me, why should I believe you?—”
“Because I, at least, intend to keep you alive.”
“Why? To use me, nothing more. While you tell me that the family I’ve lived among my whole life are all out to do away with me.”
“I didn’t suggest that every MacGinnis is trying to kill you.”
“Then—”