Page 11 of Highlander’s Evil Twin

“No. Why would you?” she replied haughtily. A flash of annoyance sparked in her eyes and Connor grinned.

“I make a lot of women nervous.”

She swallowed hard. “Well, I am sorry to disappoint you, but I am not one of them.”

He smiled slowly.

“Shall we put it to the test Milady? I bet I could make you forget all about my pathetic twin?”

“Leave now or I will call the servants to get the guards and they will remove you by force. Your choice.”

“Are you sure you wouldn’t like to have a real man first?” he asked her.

“Get out!” she raised her voice almost to a scream.

“You’ll change your mind,” he said, laughing as he sauntered out of the room, and slammed the door shut behind him.

Heather sat back on the bed. Every fiber of her being trembled. She was shaking all over. Her heart beat erratically beneath her ribs and hot tears spilled down her cheeks. She replayed the scene in her mind. He’d meant every word, she was sure of it. Perhaps he had been testing her to see what her feelings were like for Hiram, or to see if she had the strength to battle against him. Heather had learned to trust her instincts. When she felt uncomfortable or fearful with people, she believed that her instinct was telling her something important. It was telling her now that Connor was very dangerous. He liked power games but above all else, he liked to win. She wanted to believe it was just sibling rivalry. He was annoyed that his younger brother had beaten him in the marriage stakes. But if he’d really set his sights on her then he wasn’t going to stop until he’d achieved his aim. She had to keep away from him.

5

Heather hid behind her door. Footsteps were growing nearer and slowing down just outside her door. She could hear the creaking floorboards and the sound of breathing outside.

No, please don’t stop.

She waited with bated breath. Connor? Had he gone? She tried to quell her nerves. She couldn’t let him see that she was nervous of him even though she felt fear when she saw him. They had met several times following that first encounter when he had been all too suggestive. It had not improved at all. He was becoming more and more menacing. Hiram had been away for longer than anticipated and now Heather felt as if she was a prisoner in her room. She leaned against the door, closed her eyes, and listened for any sound. She slowly counted to five hundred just to be sure. When she had finished, she opened the door and peered outside. There was no one there. She let out a huge sigh of relief.

She longed for Hiram to come back. She missed him so much. It felt as if a part of her was missing. It seemed in no time at all, Hiram had become an essential part of her life. He had awoken something in her. She’d never dreamed she was such a sexual being. Now, she couldn’t get enough. He only had to look at her and she wanted him. He was fun, charming, and now, she could see, so charismatic. She liked the way he would grin lazily at her or be able to detect when she felt huffy or shocked. He would mock her or pull her to him and kiss her until she was breathless. She knew he baited her, taunting her with his words, but in a fun way.

Heather made her way down the stairs furtively. She tried to tread softly so no one would hear her and light-footed, skipped across the substantial hallway and slipped outside. Embracing the warmth after an evening of rain and howling gales, the sun peeked out from behind the clouds casting a golden glow across the expanse of green. She could only pray that she would catch sight of Hiram and the others riding back across the moors. Before she could even reach the gateway so as to scan the rolling hills, she saw Hiram, heard his voice, and waves of pleasure washed over her. He looked up as she approached.

“Well, to what do I owe this special pleasure?” He slid from his horse, handing the reins to a stable hand and then walked over to her, pulling her into his arms, his mouth lowering to her, teasing her. “It feels like I have been gone for years.” He growled at her, his hands pulling her closer to him.

“Hiram, I am afraid I must tell you something,” she began.

He looked down at her, his face suddenly serious as he saw how anxious she was. “Yes my love?”

“I am so sorry to tell you this. I cannot hide it from you. It is Connor. He has been following me around the castle ever since you left. He’s been making unsuitable comments to me.” Heather blushed. She hoped he wouldn’t ask for details.

Hiram laughed. “I know he is so full of himself and he likes to think women love him but I’m sure he isn’t pursuing you,” Hiram responded.

Heather tried once more. “You don’t understand. He is saying things to me that are not normal.” She stopped, feeling embarrassed. She didn’t want to tell him specifics. His words made her feel dirty.

Hiram hugged her. “He is trying to be friendly, but he just goes over the top with everything he does. I told you he is an idiot. I think you are just being too sensitive. Let it go, Heather. I need you to try to get on with him,” Hiram said.

“Hiram...please.”

“I said no. I have just come back. I’m dirty, tired, and I don’t want to be bothered right now, not with your silliness.” He dismissed her with a wave of his hand and walked past her.

Tears stung her eyes. She was angry. How could he think that she would make it up?

Heather turned to look over the rolling hills, trying to breathe in that good Scottish air, imagining it filtering throughout her body, healing, energizing. Hiram was long gone before she let the hot tears sting her cheeks. She didn’t attempt to stop them, just let her sadness go. By the time the tears had dried, the natural scene had calmed her a little. She walked back to the castle, asking the servants to bring her supper up when it was ready.

“I am feeling a bit tired. I have a headache,” Heather said.

The last thing she wanted was to see either of the brothers for the evening and hoped she could be asleep by the time Hiram came to bed. His words and attitude stung, especially since her fears with Connor were very real. As she climbed the staircase, her energy felt depleted. She seemed to be taking longer and longer with each step, or the staircase was growing steeper. It hurt to not be believed. She had been completely honest with him about everything and yet he didn’t believe or trust her.

She heard a voice whispering in her ear.