Page 60 of My Highland Love

“Yes.”

He breathed deep. “What's to be done?”

“Go to her. Be with her. Let her know you still love her. It's you she needs.”

He stared for a moment then, without a word, strode toward the cottage.

Elise watched until he disappeared into the darkness. A moment later, she heard the shuffle of boots on the porch. With the click of the cottage door, exhaustion washed over her. She took three steps to the closest tree and leaned against the trunk, resting her head. What a fool she was to have become too entangled with these people. They were no longer faceless strangers, but named friends whose lives had touched her. Friends she had deceived—Marcus most of all. She pushed from the tree and started down the path.

No guard remained to escort her home. The moon peeked from behind clouds. She welcomed the solitary walk. The moment the thought formed, tears rolled down her cheeks. Elise gave her head a hard shake but only succeeded in further blurring her vision. The moon dipped behind the clouds again and she was plunged into shadows. Her toe slammed against a rock. She lurched forward. She thrust her hands out in defense of the fall, but large hands seized her waist and yanked her against a hard body. Elise opened her mouth to scream but the arm tightened around her and the scream emerged a squeak.

“Re-release me you brute!” she wheezed, giving her assailant a hard kick to the leg.

He cursed softly. Her stomach did a somersault. Marcus.

“Brute, is it?” he murmured. A strained note in his voice said the kick had been successful. “You dare call me brute when I saved you from a nasty fall?”

Elise sagged against him. “You gave me a scare.” She took a deep breath.

He ran a hand over her shoulder, following the caress with a kiss to her neck. “'Tis not nice for a lady to call her lover a brute.” Another kiss followed on her shoulder.

“Good Lord.” She broke free and faced him, trying to discern his features in the darkness. When unsuccessful, she muttered, “You truly are a man.”

He chuckled. “That doesn't please you?” Marcus took her hand and started down the path. “Never mind. It will soon enough.”

They walked for a few moments, then he slipped an arm around her waist. A shock rippled through Elise, settling between her legs. This feeling she had to guard against. When she left—her heart wrenched and she became painfully aware of his arm around her. His warmth had seeped through her dress, comforting, offering the promise—Elise clamped down on the burgeoning desire. She wouldn't hurt him by giving herself to him then leaving. She had to keep him at a distance for just a little longer.

“You must be exhausted,” he said.

She thought of Chloe. “I'm worried about Chloe.”

“She'll be fine. Daniel loves her.”

“Yes. Their love is their salvation.”

“'Tis always the case,” Marcus stated matter-of-factly.

Her heart leapt. “Oh?”

“Aye. The love between a man and a woman is salvation itself.”

“Perhaps. However, they will be needing an extra dose now.”

“You don't think Daniel loves her?”

“I believe he will do his best to comfort her,” she replied.

“And who will comfort Daniel?”

“Chloe, of course. Who else?”

“Who else, indeed?” Marcus repeated softly, and this time she couldn't stop the flutter of her heart.

* * *

When they entered the castle's kitchen, Marcus ordered Mary to prepare a hot bath for Elise. She protested, but he shook his head.

“I planned on going straight to bed,” she complained, as he escorted her through the kitchen.