Page 92 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

He left her with her useless apologies and went out to the stables to throw things about.

…

“He is so angry,” Evelyn said when she returned to the solar. She’d thought perhaps they could move forward and enjoy the time they had left. But it was clear, Liam was filled with rage.

“Do you blame him?” Kenna said while glaring at Mari. “I know well what it’s like to have someone leave you for your own good. It’s unpleasant and unforgivable.”

“I thought you said you forgave me when I did not end up hanged by the English,” Mari said with wide eyes.

“Fine. I did forgive you, but I’m still sore over it.”

“I wish Liam was only sore with me. I think he may hate me. He said the most horrible things.”

“Cam called me a coward,” Mari said. “I was facing death at the end of a rope, and he said I wasn’t brave enough to live for him and Lizzy.”

“That seems a bit unfair,” Kenna said, focusing on her knitting.

“Oh? Is it more unfair than a letter from my younger sister saying it’s better the English do it because if you were there, you’d choke me to death yourself?”

Kenna waved a hand. “I’ve always been one for dramatics. I was trying to make you mad. When a person is angry it means they haven’t given up.”

“Do you think that’s what it means for Liam as well? Perhaps he doesn’t hate me?”

“He surely doesn’t hate you, and they’ve not given up,” Kenna said. “The men are up to something, I feel it. Best to let them to it.”

Evelyn shook her head. “I’ll not let there be a battle and risk your men. They are husbands and fathers and not to be sacrificed for the likes of me.”

“And what does that mean?” Kenna tilted her head curiously.

“I knew when I left my father that he had plans to wed me off. I disregarded them because I wanted to be with my daughter. And now I must pay the price for my disobedience.”

“Disobedience? Is that what you call wanting to live in happiness? I call that determination,” Kenna said. “I call it strength. And courage.” She patted Evelyn on the knee. “I’ll stand next to ye no matter what you decide to do.”

“Thank you.”

“I have an idea,” Kenna said while tapping her chin.

“Is she not facing enough trouble already than to deal with whatever idea you’ve conjured up?” Mari said.

Evelyn was desperate for any way to reach Liam and mend things between them. Even if she had to use one of Kenna’s ill-fated ideas to do so.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Liam sat in the hall watching the stairs for his wife and children. It was always one of his favorite times of day when they spotted him and smiles lit their faces. Gwennie and Shea often ran ahead, the quicker to get to him. Rose reached for him as soon as Ev got close enough. And his wife would greet him with a kiss no matter how many others were gathered in the hall; she didn’t care who saw.

But today it wasn’t his wife who led his children to him. They came among the other children with Mari, Kenna, and a nurse herding the brood.

Liam stood and went to meet them. “Where’s Ev?”

“She’s not feeling well. I believe she has a fever.”

“Have you sent for a healer?”

“Oh, aye,” Kenna was quick to say. But Liam had already kissed his children and told them to stay with their aunties.

He took the stairs two at a time and rushed into their room to find Ev abed. Her hair was down, and she was wearing only her shift.

“Kenna said you were sick. What is it?” He placed his hand on her head to feel her skin was much too hot.