“Ye should have come down to say goodbye. She was waiting for ye.”
Evander closed his eyes. “It’s best that I didnae.”
“Best for whom?”
He rounded on his friend, crossing the room in three strides and seizing him by the collar.
“Daenae ye dare, Fergus,” he hissed. “I’ve had just about all I can take for today; I can tell ye that. Letting her go is—” He broke off.
Letting her go is the hardest thing I have ever done.
He released Fergus’s collar, stepping back and breathing heavily.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “Ye didnae deserve that.”
Fergus made no move to smooth his crumpled shirt. He only furrowed his brow, eyeing Evander.
“Leah came to say goodbye. Some of the servants did, too. The mood in the keep is somber. Lady Bryden will be missed. And now that her memories are returning, she?—”
“When her memories return, she’ll remember exactly what place I held in her affections. That is, none,” Evander interrupted tartly. “Fergus, lad, I daenae ken whether ye are trying to help me or scold me?—”
“Both, I reckon.”
“—but enough is enough. I daenae want to speak about her.”
“She’s yer wife, me Laird. That subject is hard to avoid.”
He closed his eyes momentarily. “The marriage will be annulled. She deserves a fresh start.”
Fergus shifted his weight, folding his arms. “And what about ye, me Laird? What do ye deserve?”
“Me? Nae much.”
“Oh, come off it.”
“She deserves everything.” Evander stabbed bitterly at the window in the direction where Skye had disappeared. “She deserves the world. At the very least, happiness, a loving husband, a safe home, afamily. And I cannae give those things to her.”
“And why nae?”
“Why nae?! Because me family is cursed! Me faither ruined our reputation in the Highlands. His blood flows in me veins. Maybe I’m as faithless as he is.”
“Or maybe ye arenae. Ye are too hard on yerself, me Laird.”
“Enough, Fergus. Please. I’m too tired for this. Sending her away was the right thing to do. She deserves better.”
Fergus took a step forward. “The very reason ye say ye have sent her away—that she deserves better—proves that ye ought to keep her here. That’s the reason why ye deserve that woman. It’s why ye deservehappiness, me Laird.”
Evander closed his eyes briefly. “I daenae want to discuss this anymore. Call a council meeting, Fergus. I have no time for love affairs. I have a traitor to catch.”
