Page 22 of Highlander’s Dangerous Love

With that squeeze, Gemma felt as if all color, light, and joy had been sapped out of the world. The wind was now biting rather than pleasant, the sun blistering rather than warm, and the crash of the waves on the cliffs sounded more like terrifying roars than a calming rhythm. When he was out of sight again, she collapsed into the patch of heathers and wept. There was nothing else for her to do.

The world was still grey and dull the next day. This was partly due to the fact that the sky was indeed cloudy, the sun hidden by their thick gray puffs. It was certainly going to rain sometime later that day. Even as she awoke, she could smell it in the air. She laid in her bed for far too long, staring at the wooden beams. She felt no reason to rise and dress. There was a cold, hollow feeling inside her. It wasn’t until Muriel came upstairs and coaxed her that she got up. At breakfast, the food felt and tasted like ash in her mouth, rather than bread and butter.

She and Muriel were due at the castle later. There was a quilting bee to celebrate the impending birth of Jenny’s second baby, but Gemma was in no mood for celebration. However, a promise was a promise, and her mother would scold her for not showing face when asked. So, when it was time, she dragged behind Muriel to the castle. If Muriel noticed her foul mood, she said nothing. That was peculiar; usually Muriel wanted to know everything that went on in Gemma’s mind — sometimes just for gossip, sometimes to help her.

As they made their way down the corridor to the kitchen, where the women would gather for the occasion, they were stopped by none other than Bryce MacNeill.

“Ah, Miss Gordon. Yer lookin’ well taeday, but for that frown,” he said cheerily with an edge of concern. He nodded in greeting to Muriel, who scampered away with a mischievous grin. She’d always thought Bryce to be a fine man, so surely she thought she was giving them some alone time. Truly, it was the last thing Gemma wanted, especially after their awkward conversation when he’d sought her out on laundry day.

“I have had a difficult night,” she replied tersely.

“Oh?” he asked, head cocked. Christ, he really looked like Colin. It only made her heart swell and burst again. Without meaning to, tears began to stream down her face.

“Colin…he left,” she said weakly.

Bryce gasped, his eyebrows shooting up, eyes widening.

“What d’ye mean?”

“Ye dinnae ken?”

He shook his head vigorously.

“Nay. Sometimes my father does not tell me all the business. This is news tae me; what d’ye mean he’s left?”

“He said he an’ his father are leaving the clan. It sounded serious. An’...he said his father…is marryin’ him to another lass,” she explained, her voice quiet. If she spoke any louder, she knew it would break, and she would burst into tears again. Her eyes were already sore and a little puffy from the amount she’d cried yesterday.

“I’m so sorry, Gemma. I really am,” Bryce said, his voice full of tender sympathy. He reached out for a hug, and Gemma welcomed it. Even though it was not Colin’s frame, it still felt good to be held in her time of need, and Bryce was still a good friend.

“I dinnae understand it,” she said wearily.

“I’ll say…Colin has been odd lately,” Bryce said.

“What?” She asked, looking up into Bryce’s bright green eyes.

“Yesterday, at training. He was aggressive. More than I’ve ever seen him. He injured me while we were sparring. Look ‘ere,” he said, pulling back his shirt to reveal a small red gash.

Gemma gasped. What in God’s name was going on?

“He did that tae ye?”

“Aye,” Bryce said grimly. “I dinnae ken what the matter was, but…somethin’ was wrong. Maybe that’s part of why he’s leavin’ the clan.”

“I dinnae think he was capable of such…things. I have tae say, Bryce, I dinnae understand any of this.”

“‘Tis difficult, I ken. It shows his true character. ‘Tis good yer not mixed up wi’ him now. I want ye tae ken…I’d never leave ye, not even if ye asked,” he said, patting the top of her head.

It struck her as an odd gesture and odd choice of words, but…perhaps he was shocked. People acted strangely when faced with new and unexpected circumstances. He could be forgiven for his oddness.

“I appreciate that, Bryce. ‘Tis good tae have friends in time of need.”

Bryce bristledat Gemma’s use of the word “friends.” Hadn’t he made his intentions clear that day he’d sought her out?

“I didnae ken ye were so close,” he prodded while she was still wrapped in his arms. Lord, she was a pretty thing, he thought as he looked down at her.

She nodded.

“Aye, I…have strong feelings for him.” she said.