Page 46 of Moon Craving

remain unsaid, but a fury completely unjustified by their current talk glowed in his blue

gaze.

"Do not be daft. I'm not fully reconciled to you touching me."

"You will grow used to my touch." There was that amazing confidence again.

"It is your responsibility to make it so." Had she truly said such a thing aloud to

him? But it was no more than he had claimed when explaining what the marriage bed

would be like for her.

"Aye."

"What is Chrechte?"

He did not answer but stared into her eyes with an expression she could not read,

no matter the time she'd spent learning how to do so.

"You said the horse was worthy of a Chrechte warrior. Is that another word for a

Highlander?"

He shook his head.

"Then what does it mean? Chief? Laird?"

"Do you always ask so many questions?"

"In truth?"

"I will always expect the truth from you."

Her heart twinged at his words. She determined right then that though she could

not tell him her secret, she would never lie to him. "I often wish to know things I do not ask

about."

"Yet you do not hesitate to query me."

"Should I?"

He did not answer immediately.

"Well?" He could not know how important his answer was to her, but it would say

much about her place in his esteem.

"Nay."

"That is good to know."

"The Chrechte are an ancient tribe of people who live among the Highland clans

now."