Page 24 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

“Ho there!” Liam stepped up, halting the man from striking Evelyn. It wasn’t until Liam was closer that he noticed the blood at Ev’s mouth. The man had already hit her.

Rage lit his soul, and it was all he could do to stop himself from drawing his sword and ending the man where he stood.

The man stumbled, and Liam grasped his arm to hold him away from the women.

Nodding to the men who had come with him, he gave the order. “Bind this man and take him to the gaol until Lachlan can determine what should happen with him. Send a cart for this woman and take her to the keep so Lady Kenna can tend to her.”

The men nodded their agreement and Liam went to Evelyn. It took a bit of effort, but he was able to pry the dagger from her fingers. “You’re fine. The danger is gone now. You did well, Ev. I’m proud of ye for protecting the woman from her lout of a husband.”

It wasn’t until the woman was hauled away that Evelyn collapsed in a fit of tears.

“He was hitting her.”

“I know. Shh. You’re fine. Everyone is fine.”

To his great surprise she allowed him to move closer and wrap his arms around her. He held her longer than was probably necessary, but he didn’t want to miss the opportunity to comfort her while he had the chance.

Eventually, her tears stopped and she managed to take a few deep breaths. “I must get back to Gwennie.”

“Aye. I’ll help you to her.”

Together, they walked to the smaller cottage and found Gwennie clutching the other lad.

“This is Sheamus. You met his father and mother,” Ev said.

“I should take him up to the castle so he can stay with his mother while she heals.”

Evelyn nodded and slumped in the chair, staring at nothing.

He didn’t want to leave her again.

He glanced down at his shirt, the one he wore when running drills. The one that was now stained with a few spots of blood. Definitely not his best shirt. He’d not stopped for flowers and had not brought any treats from the kitchens.

So much for wooing the woman. He thought it to be dishonest to leave and come back later with her father’s letter so instead he knelt next to her and held out the missive. When she stared blankly at him, he questioned if it was wise to give her more upsetting news on top of what she’d already been through, but it was too late. She’d taken it.

“Mayhap it would be better to read it—very well, now is good also.”

He read over her shoulder.

Daughter,

Your mother would be horrified to see what a deceitful child she bore. To run off with the worthless MacKinlay rather than stay and do your duty to your clan.

I’m sure ye thought this would be the end of it, but I assure ye, I don’t give up so easily. You have brought shame to your people and your laird.

You’ll return to Scalloway at once. If you do not return, I’ll be forced to involve the MacKinlay laird. I leave the choice in your hands. Do not be foolish.

It wasn’t signed Father or Papa. Only his cold initials written in a flourish at the bottom.

“I’m sorry. I should have waited to give it to you,” he said when a tear streaked down her cheek.

“It’s of no matter,” she said crumpling the letter and throwing it in the unlit hearth. “It is only what I expected of him. He’s angry. We knew he would be. He’ll get over it soon enough.”

“You’re not leaving?”

“Do you wish me to leave?”

“To be honest, I don’t see that it matters to me. It’s not like I would notice if you were here or not.” With that, he left the cottage and escorted Sheamus to the castle.