"Your sister will tell. She is probably already writing to that simpleton your brother married." Olivia tightly folded her arms.
"My sister is attending the girl you hurt."
Olivia rolled her eyes and plopped down in a chair. "I hardly touched her and she deserved it. I require Millie to help me dress for bed, and where is my tea?"
"I suggest you dress yourself for bed." Just then, Alistair appeared at the door holding a tray with a bottle of wine and one glass. "Thank you, Alistair," he said, taking the tray from him. "Wait for me in the study."
"Aye, Your Grace."
Hannish set the tray on the table, pulled the cork out of the bottle, filled the glass and offered it to Olivia."
"Are you not joining me?"
"Not tonight, Olivia."
"But…"
"'Tis American wine and I doubt you will like the taste, but it will help you sleep."
She stared at him in disbelief. "You are not staying? You do not desire me? It has been three years."
"For you, perhaps."
Her mouth dropped. "But not for you?"
"In a place such as this, there are always women who are willing."
"You mean a prostitute?"
"Or two or three."
She looked shocked, but only for a moment. "I suppose I can forgive you, you are a man after all."
He was astonished; it was not the reaction he hoped for. "You can?"
"Of course I can, I love you that much and more."
She took the glass and sipped the wine, ignoring the bitter taste. "You are right, I do not like it." Even so, she drank the glass empty and handed it back for a refill. It took a moment, but she finally saw the anger in her husband's eyes. "Oh, very well, I am sorry I hurt the child. I sometimes lose my temper, is all. Please allow me to tell her how sorry I am."
"She is resting, perhaps in the morning."
"In the morning then." She glanced at the open door, got up and tried to close it, but Hannish put his hand out to stop the door. "Why do you let the servants intrude on our privacy? I wish to be alone with you."
"I dinna wish to be alone with you."
"Oh, Hannish, I did not mean to hurt her. Can you not forgive me? I have forgiven you, and I so want to be in your arms again."
"Olivia, a MacGreagor does not harm a woman or a child. 'Tis an old family edict and you knew that when you married me. I cannae just let it pass." He refilled her glass, handed it to her and set the bottle back on the tray.