Page 42 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

Evelyn left her chamber with a smile on her face. She’d had a smile most of the day and when she glimpsed Liam in the bailey that afternoon, she felt her blood heat. Perhaps tonight he would allow more between them.

She still had plenty of worry over whether she’d see it through. What if she’d been right and joining with him wouldn’t feel as good as his touch had the night before? She’d seen his length briefly when he’d changed his shirt and worried it would be too large.

She considered how such a thing might work as she headed toward the kitchen to help with the evening meal. Surely the women would give her plenty of things to ponder.

Before she made it to the door, she was stopped by one of the maids.

“I’ve a letter for ye, missus.”

“For me? Who sent it?” Evelyn frowned at the parchment as if it were a snake. Her heart beat fast. Was her father here?

“I’m not sure. I was in the village when a man came by offering a nice bit of clink if the letter was delivered to you. I have to return with a response to get the rest.”

Evelyn frowned and flipped the missive over, noticing the Stewart seal was still intact. Her hands trembled as she opened it and began reading.

After his first letter demanding she return to Scalloway, Evelyn didn’t know what she expected from this missive. Perhaps understanding. Maybe forgiveness for what she’d done. At the very least, she considered he’d disown her and have a few last grumblings of displeasure before he formally ended the relationship that might have remained between them.

She hadn’t thought he’d offer her what she’d wanted in order to carry out the ruse as planned. Originally, he’d wanted her to play the innocent virgin for her intended, when in truth, she’d been forced to lie with five brutes, given birth, and was now married. The very idea was preposterous.

She’d always tried to be a good daughter, but where had that gotten her? She’d made one mistake and he couldn’t see to forgive her. Instead, all he cared about was cattle.

Of course, she realized what cattle meant for her clan. Livestock was traded and thieved in the Highlands as currency. And her abandonment had cost her clan a great deal.

Which must have been why he was suggesting a compromise.

Dear daughter,

I realize now my plan to claim you a virgin will not do. If you come home and agree to marry the Morgan heir, I will allow you to keep the child with you. We can claim you a widow. And the child will serve as proof that you’re able to bear offspring.

Return to Scalloway immediately and we’ll put this insolence behind us. If you do not, I will have no choice but to come and retrieve you myself even if it means war with the MacKinlays.

Don’t be a fool. The war chief you married will be forced to choose his clan over you.

Like the first letter, it wasn’t signed with an endearment. Just his abrupt initials. She folded the letter and brushed a tear from her eye before it had the chance to fall. She knew what must be done.

She’d hoped for too much. Friends, a safe home, to watch her daughter grow up. To lie with her husband and feel as if the past didn’t matter. She’d been a fool to think her father would give up so easily.

She had not yet atoned for whatever sin she was guilty of.

“Will you write back, ma’am?” the maid asked hopefully.

Evelyn offered a shaky smile. “I’ll be a minute and I’ll return with you to give my message in person.”

“Oh, aye. I’ll wait for ye here.”

Evelyn nodded in agreement and went to say goodbye to Gwennie in case she didn’t return.

…

“Does this look like a seal?” Liam held up a blob of wood for Angus’s inspection when he led his horse into the stable.

“A seal?” the stable master grimaced. “Nay. It looks like a cock with a tail at the end.”

“Bugger.” Liam tossed it aside as the groom laughed. Liam wished he could see one of the blasted things again so he could get it right. “Gwennie asks me each day to make her a seal. I hate disappointing the lass.”

“It’s only a bit of wood.” Angus shook his head.

It wasn’t just a bit of wood. It was a chance to win a smile and a laugh from his new daughter. He let out a breath as he left the stable toward the hall.