Page 4 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

“Evelyn?”

She turned to see an angel standing before her. It could’ve been the way the sunlight seemed to come from him as she looked up into his smiling face. Surely, his white hair and pale blue eyes also caused her initial confusion.

“Liam MacKinlay?” she asked, unsure if it was really him. He’d been almost thin the last she’d seen him. A boy growing awkwardly into a man’s body. But he was all man now. Except for his sweet smile and those dimples that made him look like the most genuine person she’d ever met.

He’d seemed that way when he’d escorted her home after her ordeal with the McCurdys. She’d been of no mind to talk, but he kept her thoughts busy with his wild tales so she wouldn’t dwell on the hell she’d endured.

He’d provided comfort with his smiles as well as his arms on the occasions when the memories became too much and she’d broken down in tears. While she shied away from men, Liam had managed to gain her trust during their journey; she didn’t remember if she’d even thanked him for his kindness.

When her father and their warriors had returned home after defeating the McCurdys last year, Evelyn wondered if Liam had survived the battle. She’d thought of him and was now happy to see he’d lived. So happy she hugged him without thinking first.

His large arms wound around her waist and held her loosely. She pulled away quickly and noticed Liam’s smile had changed from one of friendliness to one with more intent.

She swallowed and stepped farther away. She shouldn’t have touched him. She didn’t want him to think she welcomed his interest. “Forgive me.”

“I didn’t mind.” The smile widened and the dimples deepened.

Of course, he wouldn’t mind. He was a man now. While he’d been an honorable one back then, deep down they were all the same, ruled by their pleasure. She didn’t know the man he’d become.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, taking yet another step back to put more distance between them.

“I’ve come to speak to your father.” The smile fell and something that looked like dread crossed his face. Whatever he’d come to speak to her father about was clearly not a cheerful topic. Not that it mattered to Evelyn. Unless he was here to offer a large herd of cattle for free, he couldn’t help her.

“I’ll take you to him.” She turned toward the entrance to the castle, but Liam didn’t follow her.

“Mayhap I could have a moment first,” he said, looking almost ill.

“Are you well?” She reached for him but caught herself in time.

“Aye. I will be well. Just nervous is all. How have you been?” he asked and that sincerity she remembered was clear in his voice. Perhaps he hadn’t completely lost himself to his male needs.

“Well enough.” She shrugged, unwilling to burden him with her troubles. She had a roof over her head. Her father had allowed her to remain in her clan. Beyond that, she had no right to complain. Not that it would matter if she did.

“You look even more beautiful than I remembered,” he said as if he opened his mouth and the words poured out without his consent. “Have you married?”

“Nay.” She didn’t mention the plans with the Morgans, since she still hoped to divert them before it was too late. “Are you ready?” She nodded toward the castle, wanting to get on with it.

Liam brushed the dust from his kilt and ran a hand through that beautiful hair that had just a hint of curl.

He’d once told her the old MacKinlay laird had given him the name Liam because it meant gilded helmet. The man had said when he’d spotted Liam walking across the field—no more than four—he’d thought he wore something gold on his head. Only to find out it was the boy’s hair when he’d gotten closer.

Liam had shared the story with her on their travels. She’d noticed the way his hair glowed when the sun hit it and understood why the man would have come to that conclusion.

Liam fussed with his brooch and plaid as Evelyn led him through the hall and up to her father’s study. She knocked on the door and waited for the man to bellow from inside.

She opened the door and stepped in. “Father, we have a visitor from Clan MacKinlay to see you. Will you allow it?”

“Yes. Send him in.” He waved and a nervous-looking Liam offered her a strained smile and a formal bow before stepping into the room. “Close the door on your way out,” her father ordered her.

She did as asked, happy to be excused without further comment, but curiosity kept her from returning to her chamber. Instead, she left the door cracked enough to hear what Liam had to say. If it was bad news, it’d be good to know ahead of time so she could prepare to hide from her father for a time.

…

Liam swallowed down his nerves and took the seat offered to him in front of the laird. He’d been deliberating in the bailey on whether he should just turn around and go home when he’d seen Evelyn.

She was more stunning than she’d been the last time he’d seen her.

Of course, the last time he’d seen her she’d been at her worst, shaken and distraught from her capture. She’d been thin and bruised. But through everything she’d endured, he’d thought her more lovely than any woman he’d ever known.