Page 104 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

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They continued on into the night. More toasts were made to Liam’s good fortune of finding his lost family. Lach, Cam, and Bryce toasted to his success as heir. Liam watched them closely to see if any of them had the same reservations he had. But their smiles seemed genuine.

They didn’t look the least bit upset to see him go away to join another clan.

Gaven Morgan detailed many of the responsibilities Liam would face when they got back to Stromemore Castle—the place he was born. Liam nodded but wasn’t sure if he’d be good at any of it. He’d been trained to fight.

It wasn’t that he would neglect his duties, it was that he’d not been prepared for any of this like David had. Liam worried he’d make a muck of it.

As the men in the hall grew heavy with drink, he felt Shea tense and Liam excused himself and his family for the night.

“We’ll talk more in the morning,” Liam said.

“Aye.” His father agreed. “We’ll make plans to head for home in a few days.” He laughed. “I daresay, once we get back, there will be more celebrating before us.”

Liam forced a smile and led Evelyn and the children from the hall. They were stopped by Hugh Stewart. “If I may have a word.”

As to remind the laird to watch his tongue in front of the children, Liam stepped in front of Gwennie and Shea. Rose was asleep in Ev’s arms.

He’d not let this man get too close if he planned to spit more of his venom.

The man cleared his throat, his face red and splotchy from drink. “I’m glad you’ve found happiness,” he said to his daughter. “I was so angry when you returned. Angry at myself for not protecting you better. I didn’t want to look at you because it made me realize how much I’d failed ye. But now I see I’m still failing you.”

“What happened wasn’t your fault. I ran away, but even still I know now it wasn’t my fault, either. It was their fault. Those men who took me and hurt me. I’ll not let them take my life. I’ll live it with love and happiness.” Liam’s brave wife lifted her chin, but he noticed a wobble in her lip. He loved her all the more.

Hugh nodded and held his arms out. Evelyn waited so long to step into them Liam thought she may not do it. But she did and both she and her father broke down in tears.

“Mama sad?”

“No, love,” Liam bent to comfort Gwennie. “She’s happy.”

When Hugh released his daughter, he held out his hand to Liam. Once he repositioned Rose, he took the man’s hand.

“I’ll see that you receive Evelyn’s dowry. You’ve made her a fine husband.”

“Thank you, but we don’t need—”

The man put up a hand to stop Liam’s rejection of the money. “You have a growing family. Perhaps it’s time you built a home so there’s plenty of room for everyone.”

Liam had spoken to Cam about a plan he’d drawn up for a cottage, a room for just he and Ev. And plenty of space for more children. But now that he was heir, he’d be living in Stromemore Castle.

“Thank ye,” Liam agreed.

While he thought it didn’t matter what the man thought, he did feel relieved to have his blessing and acceptance. Liam was confident the man’s blessing and acceptance were offered only because the Morgan laird had honored the contract between them.

After the children were settled in their own beds, Liam climbed in next to Ev. He’d wanted to speak to her alone, but the day caught up with her and she fell asleep only a few minutes into their conversation.

He kissed her hair and tried to calm his mind, but it was no use. If only his father had found him shortly after he’d arrived here as a child. He would have happily gone home to resume his life. But now, as a man, with a family of his own, he’d made Dunardry his home. It felt as if he was giving up as much as he was gaining.

When dawn was near, he slipped from their bed and went out. He needed to clear his mind, so he went to one of the places on the MacKinlay lands where he’d always felt at peace.

He settled cross-legged on the grass in front of the stone marking the old laird’s grave. The laird’s wife was buried next to him, and Liam leaned over to drop a few flowers on her grave. He’d liked giving her flowers—weeds really—as a child because she was always so pleased.

He’d spent most of his youth doing all he could to please these people. Even into manhood, he’d continued in that vein. To be the man Roderick MacKinlay would be proud of, so he’d never regret his decision to give him a name and a home.

Hearing footsteps approach, Liam didn’t need to look to know he was being joined by his current laird. Lach pressed a kiss to the stones and sat next to Liam.

“I come here when I’m not sure what to do about something, or I feel overwhelmed and in danger of making a poor choice. Sometimes I ask him straight out, most times I don’t need to say the words to hear what advice he would have given me,” Lach said.