Page 62 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

“No. Cam will stay and see to them. Lizzy came in this morning to rub my back while I was sick. It was the sweetest thing.”

“When I was sick with Andrew the twins asked only if they could have my bannocks.”

They chatted for a little while, trying to keep Mari distracted until she felt well enough to eat something and hold it down.

When Evelyn and Kenna were ready to leave, Cam and Liam were talking in low tones. Cam offered Evelyn a smile and hugged her. “I’m sorry you must be escorted. Your home should be safe. I’m glad to see you obliged Liam, so he doesn’t have to worry.”

Evelyn glanced at Liam, who held her gaze.

Of anyone, Cameron was the last person who should feel bad. If it hadn’t been for him, Evelyn may never have been freed from the McCurdys. He’d been the one to dispatch them and save her. And he’d helped Liam fight off the Stewarts as well.

Her face grew hot when she remembered the way he’d seen her the first time. She’d not been covered properly. Her dress had been in tatters. She hadn’t been able to look the man in the eyes since she’d returned.

“Do not think of it, Ev. You’ve nothing to be ashamed of.” Liam was quick to come to her side and put an arm around her. He always seemed to know what she was thinking and how to reassure her.

Cam shook his head. “I don’t think less of ye for what I saw that night. I don’t remember anything but seeing Mari in their grasp and the bodies. Everything else is but a blur. I don’t think I’ve ever been so terrified in my life. And I’m glad I was able to free you from them.”

He kissed her on the top of the head and turned her back over to Liam.

“Thank you, Cameron.” She shook her head and tried to laugh away the tears. “I can never thank you enough for what you did that night, as well as the day the Stewarts tried to take Gwennie.” She turned to Liam. “You’re both my heroes.”

And because of that, she’d make sure they didn’t come to harm because of her.

“But me more than him, yes?” Cam nudged her arm with his elbow.

The two men cast jests at each other while she managed a laugh. She was glad enough to get over her embarrassment with Cam.

“Are you ready to return to the castle?” she asked her husband.

“Very well.” He turned toward the stairs expectantly.

“Kenna wishes to stay a bit longer with her sister.”

“Aye. Then I’ll see you home and send someone back for her.”

They left and she stopped to face him. “Thank you for what you did. I’d not been able to look Cam in the face since he saved me. I didn’t want that night to be between us, but I didn’t know how to address it.”

“I meant what I said. You should never feel a speck of guilt about the situation. You didn’t do anything wrong. They took ye from your lands and hurt ye. To the devil with them.”

“My father blames me. He says if I hadn’t run off, I never would have been taken.”

“Ev, please don’t ask me to list all the ways Hugh Stewart is a bloody poor excuse for a man. It’s not that far of a walk to the castle, I’d not finish before we get there.”

She laughed, which she guessed was exactly what he had intended.

“Perhaps if I spent more time seeing the MacKinlay lands, they wouldn’t be as daunting,” she suggested, then leaned closer. “Maybe if we visited a secluded spot.”

“Secluded?” His eyes went wide, and his lips pulled up in that grin. “Oh, aye. I know just the spot.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Liam stopped to turn back to her as he led her to the secluded spot she’d requested. He’d brought her and Gwennie there for an afternoon together.

“I knew you’d pick this place,” she said.

He squeezed her hand. “This is the place I come and think of things, but now it will be known for the place I bring my wife to make love to her in the afternoon.”

As was his way, Liam let her be in control of their joining. To both their enjoyment.