Page 9 of Highlander’s Evil Twin

She shrugged. “Maybe. It is not the way I would choose to marry. I am a romantic I guess. I have longed for the time when I might fall in love and be loved in return. An arranged marriage doesn’t feel the same.”

“For me too,” he admitted.

Heather’s heart lurched for a second. Was he going to release her from their deal? While one part of her relished that opportunity, another part felt disappointed that it might be over before it started.

“Do you regret our contract?” she asked tentatively.

“I regret only that we could not meet and love in the way that it should be.” Hiram sighed and leaned back against the solid headboard, shifting his legs so that they stretched out down the length of her bed. He closed his eyes for a moment but opened them again quickly. “I tried to sleep but I can’t. Every time I close my eyes, I see the death of my father.”

Heather sat on the bed beside him and placed her hand over his. “It will fade...in time. I promise you this.”

He nodded wearily. “Your father is home, by the way. He is with your mother.”

“I heard him come in,” Heather admitted. “Knowing that he is okay is enough. I have left him to talk to mother. I thought they would appreciate time alone.”

“I understand. I don’t quite know what I want to do. I feel so angry, so hurt, so sad. I don’t know which emotion is hurting me more. There is so much on my mind. So much to do, but I am in no way prepared for any of it.”

She squeezed his hand and moved closer, and he pulled her firmly towards him. His warmth surrounded her but at the same time, she felt a wave of grief that was gripping him so tightly. Despair, sadness, and anger emanated from him.

Hiram clung to her like a drowning man looking to her for support, for some respite from the pain.

“I’m so sorry Harim. I am so sorry,” she kept repeating over and over to him as she hugged him in return. His shoulders shook slightly and the movement, although subtle, told her that he was sobbing silently. Her head nestled against his chest, she felt teardrops against her own skin. She held him tighter, feeling his lean body against her own. I wish I could take his pain away, she thought, but knowing only time could do that. Gradually, his tears stopped, and they lay in a quiet embrace, their bodies entwined.

“I’m very sorry. That was very weak of me.” Hiram turned quickly to leave.

“Not at all,” she told him. “It is a sign of a real man. Never apologize for showing you have heart and soul,” she said to him quietly.

“My brother Connor would never have acted this way. He is the strong one. He would have told me how much of a lass I was by crying about this.” Hiram smiled sadly. “He’s been in England attending to family business. He’s a bit of an asshole.”

“When will he be back?” she asked.

“A week or so. He and I will have to work together. It states this in my father’s will. The estate needs us. We have to put personal feelings aside,” he explained to her.

“Oh, and us?” she asked tentatively.

“We will still marry. I hope that is agreeable to you. With the death of my father, some of the other clans will see us as being weak and may strike. The extra support we get from your father’s clan will be needed more than ever now. It seems as if the peace my father dreamed of may not yet be possible,” Hiram said.

“They won’t let you grieve in peace?” Heather felt anger rising within her.

“No, it would be doubtful. Hitting us while we are weak will probably make more sense to them. The clans will start fighting amongst themselves, trying to become rulers.”

“And if we marry? Once our two clans consolidate?” she asked.

“Not if, when,” he told her firmly. “Aye, sadly it is a possibility,” Hiram responded.

Heather knew that if she wanted to back out that this would be the time to do so. She bit her lip thoughtfully. They still had some time and the wedding could be canceled, but she knew her father would be furious. Heather cast a glance at Hiram from under her long eyelashes and wondered what it would do to him. He had shown her his vulnerable side. Could she really do that to him?

Only a week had passed since death had come to the castle. Heather walked down the aisle, her heart heavy. Hiram had advised her that they could not wait and even though they were all grieving, their marriage provided a glimmer of hope towards peace and unity of the two clans. She had to play her role. She walked down the aisle, her long flowing gown a perfect fit. The white dress made her look innocent, vulnerable, and tempting. It accentuated the broadness of her shoulders and her long, elegant neck, but it was nipped in at the waist so that it flowed provocatively from the hips. She could see by Hiram’s expression that he desired her greatly and felt her heart swell under his appreciative gaze. Her wedding dress had been beautifully designed, even though the seamstress had worked day and night to finish it. Heather loved the long train which trailed behind her for almost twenty yards. With her red hair swept up majestically on top of her head, the lacy veil gave everyone only tantalizing glimpses of her face. Heather had never felt beautiful.

As she stood by Hiram’s side and he smiled at her, a wide grin that told her of his feelings at this moment, she knew they were partners in crime. Their union would save the clans and potentially save the lives of others. That was significant but in Hiram’s mind, they were honoring his father’s wishes. She knew that meant a lot to him.

She couldn’t help but wonder why his mother had been so keen for them to get married, especially at this time of great sadness, but when she’d asked her that question, she’d informed her that it was one way to bring happiness into the home again. Even though she had said the words, Heather felt her eyes were empty. There was no warmth, no emotion. It was as if she had cried it all out of her system but now was just about functioning. She knew that Hiram was desperately trying to support the family and yet, his mother treated him with contempt. She felt Hiram’s fingers reach for hers and the touch of his skin comforted her greatly, the rising warmth catching at her throat as her heart swelled within. She swallowed hard, unable to stop tears pricking at her eyes.

The church was packed with clans from all over who were coming to watch this union for themselves. Family sat at the front and Heather knew her mother was crying already, her happiness and joy at the union making her overly emotional. She was glad both her parents were happy but deep down, knew that she yearned for that deep love and affection. Could Hiram fall for her? Could she learn to love him? It was a question she asked herself repeatedly. She was attracted to him and knew that he was to her, but was it enough?

As the vicar went through his speech, Heather became lost in the glittering depths of Hiram’s eyes. They seemed to be sending her a special message: Wait for tonight. She saw his eyes sparkle mischievously and felt a wave of anticipation engulf her. She was nervous and excited about lying with him for the first time and licked her lips in anticipation. Hiram noticed her instinctive response and his eyes sparkled even more.

Hiram missed much of what the vicar said but remembered to say, “I do,” at the appropriate time. Heather’s voice trembled when she repeated her vows, giving her life to Hiram and promising to be his until death do them part. Heather glanced at her mother and father. They were in tears and their deep emotion both for each other and for her made her own emotions heighten. She reached for Hiram’s steadying hand when her legs threatened to give way and felt his energy flowing through her, keeping her upright. She smiled up at him, thanking him silently and hoped that they would grow as a couple and that they would be compatible in all ways. As her thoughts slid to their sleeping together, she felt a slow flush to her cheeks and tried to look away before Hiram could realize her thoughts.