She made no reply, so Conall advanced another tentative step. It took every speck of restraint he’d ever thought of possessing not to run at her and throw his arms about her.
“For certain, you’re wondering why I’m at the Buchanan town,” he offered, hoping ’twould coax a response from her. But none came, so he continued doggedly.
“I’ve pleaded my case to the Buchanan and he’s given his blessing for us to wed, if you’ll have me.”
“I’ve been married once,” Eve said stiffly. “I did not care for it. So you may return to the MacKerrick town with a clear conscience, sir. Nay is my answer.”
“I’m nae going back,” he repeated firmly. “If I must labor under that bastard, Andrew Buchanan, for the rest of my life while waiting for you, Eve, I will.I love you. With all my heart, I do. And as long as it takes to convince you, to make up for how I’ve hurt you, that’s how long I’ll remain and not one day less.”
She said nothing and Conall let his eyes go to the wolf, lest he lose control of himself and run to Eve anyway, frightening her away.
“Hallow, Alinor. Where have you been, lass?”
Alinor’s tail thumped the ground again and her eyes flicked between Conall and Eve.
“You just want my child,” Eve accused suddenly. “That’s all you’ve ever cared about.”
“That isna true,” Conall insisted and took another step forward. “Eve, how much more simple would it have been for me, after you confessed you werena Buchanan, to find another woman to bear me a child, were that my only desire? I’m nae toad, after all, and I was chief of my clan.”
She shook her head and shrugged.
“If I had nae love for you, I wouldna have had to bring Duncan and my mother to the Buchanan town after you, scared out of me bloody mind. Reopened old wounds. Destroyed Duncan’s life. I wouldna have given up my place at the MacKerrick town to await your slightest whisper amongst a people who detest the very sight of me.” He took a deep breath. “I’ve given up everything I ever thought I wanted, Eve. Because I know that you’re the only thing I need. You and our son.”
Eve’s voice was barely a whisper. “What do you mean you’ve given up your place at the MacKerrick town?”
“Duncan is chief now. He was always meant for it, in so many ways that I never was. I like to think that if Da had known he was Ronan’s son, he would have felt the same.”
Her head turned a bit more. “I don’t understand. Why have you done this?”
“I’ve asked Angus Buchanan for his blessing upon us. If you will have me, we will live amongst the Buchanans, if it is your wish. I’ll build us our own house, here, near the loch, if you wish. Wherever—whatever—you wish, Eve.”
“I wish I could go back six months,” she said, and Conall could hear the longing in her voice. “When we lived at the hut in the vale and I was happy.”
Conall stepped closer. “I doona wish that.”
Eve stiffened. “You don’t?”
“Nae.” He could now almost see over her shoulder when he looked down upon where Eve knelt. “There were still lies between us then. Secrets. I doona long for our past, Eve—I long for our future.” He dropped to his knees behind her. “I will give you everything you want and need. I swear it on my very life.” He was close to breaking down now, because he knew in his heart that if she refused him again, this time it would be final.
He swallowed. “If you will butlookat me, Eve!Please!Do you nae love me even a little?”
Just then a small, perturbed mewing met Conall’s ears and the sound of his son fussing enchanted him. Eve’s shoulders shook as she jostled and comforted the bairn.
“Gregory is hungry,” she said quietly.
And then Conall’s heart slowed to a thump-thump-stop as she halfway turned on her knees and for the first time in months, he looked into her eyes.
“Would you hold him while I loosen my gown?”
He looked…beautiful, Evelyn thought as she took in the sight of the large highlander kneeling behind her. He had put on weight and his worn léine strained wonderfully across his chest. His hair was longer, burnished from the sun, his skin tanned and golden to match his fiery amber eyes. Eyes that glistened with unshed tears.
In Evelyn’s heart lived hope, and a great fear.
At her query, his throat lurched and he nodded, a weak, boyish smile lifting his full lips.
“Mayhap you should introduce the pair of us first, lass,” he said hoarsely and looked down at Gregory, rooting against her breast.
Evelyn crossed the short span separating her from Conall awkwardly on her knees. She paused, held Gregory tight to her for one sweet moment, before slowly extending her arms.
