Page 94 of The Laird’s Lost Wife

Skye fixed him with a steely glare. “And ye think that is an easy life, do ye?”

“Nay, of course nae. That’s nae what I meant, Skye. Daenae ye dare take me words out of context.”

“Listen to me, Brother. For a lone woman, the world is a hard place. A Scottish woman in England? Harder still. A woman with a child born out of wedlock? She was one rumor away from being irrevocably ruined. Lady Pilbury protected her, aye, but what about when she is gone? Daphne always kent that her life wouldnae be easy.”

“Well, I hope to change that. I want to help her, Skye. Even if… Even if our marriage isnae what I want.”

Her eyes hardened. “And what do ye want, Brother?”

Hunter shook his head, staring out over the dark forest. “Never mind. I want to sleep, Skye. I have a lot of work ahead of me. We’re going to talk to Willow, and after that…” He let out a long, ragged sigh. “After that, I have a council meeting to attend.”

Skye said nothing.

Hunter turned away, heading back toward the stone steps that led down to the courtyard. He’d nearly reached it when she spoke again.

“Daenae let them steal yer happiness, Hunter,” she said quietly.

He paused, glancing back at her. “I willnae.”

“I mean it.” She held his gaze. “Ye deserve to be loved, Brother. Ye always have.”

He clenched his jaw till his teeth squeaked. Wordlessly, he turned away and started down the stone steps. He doubted he would sleep after what had happened, but he had to try.

“Lady Helena said that we can go to the market again sometime,” Willow said blithely, beaming up first at Daphne and then at Hunter.

Hunter smiled faintly and cast a quick look at Daphne. He’d been terrified that she’d arrive in the library for their planned meeting looking pale and miserable, with a tear-stained face and red-rimmed eyes. Instead, she looked bright and happy, smiling and playing with Willow.

“If Lady Helena says it,” Daphne responded, bending down to touch Willow’s cheek with a smile, “then I’m sure it will happen.”

Willow turned away, already distracted, and leaned over to play with her toys, a small set of carved wooden animals that Hunter had bought her. River seemed equally fascinated with the wooden toys, occasionally reaching out an elegant black-tipped paw to nudge one of them.

Hunter leaned toward Daphne, whispering in her ear, “If ye daenae wish to tell her now, we daenae have to.”

Daphne bit her lip. “Nay, it’s time. I always prided meself on being honest with me daughter. She needs to ken.”

He met her eyes, raising his eyebrows. “Are ye still upset about yesterday?”

“Upset? Nay, that’s nae the word. Shaken, I suppose. Things have happened quickly.”

“I wish I hadnae announced it like that, without yer consent.”

She breathed in, placing her hands on her knees and squeezing. “Ye did what ye had to do. Daenae feel guilty about it. Willow, lass, come over here, aye?”

Willow’s head snapped up, and she scrambled across the rug, sitting cross-legged in front of them. River plopped down beside her, as if he were listening too.

Daphne and Hunter were sharing a settee that was just a little too small for both of them, pressing them together. Every inch of his skin tingled in awareness of her, so close he could touch her.

“Willow, pet, I have something to tell ye,” Daphne began, leaning forward. “It’s very important, so I need ye to listen.”

The little girl’s eyes widened. “Is it a secret?”

“Nae for much longer. First, I must tell ye that I am getting married. Is that nae exciting?”

Willow leaned back, wary. “Married? But ye always said that getting married was a bad idea.”

Hunter threw Daphne a wry smile, noticing how her cheeks had begun to flush. She very bravely ignored his stare.

“Aye, well, I changed me mind. I will be marrying Hunter. What do ye think of that?”