Page 50 of Highlander’s Dangerous Love

Colin shook his head again, his expression pained.

"Ye cannae do that, Gemma. Ye have yer whole life ahead of ye. Ye cannae put it on hold for me. Ye have to move on, find someone else who can make ye happy. Yer far too kind, hardworking an’ bonny tae not be swept up by someone else."

"I dinnae want anyone else," Gemma repeated, her voice rising in frustration. "I want you, Colin. I love ye."

“My name is tarnished now. An’ so would yers be, if ye took it.”

“‘Tis not fair!”

Colin rested his forehead against hers. She felt the heat of his body in such close proximity, and for a moment, she remembered what it was like to feel him against her bare skin as they moved together in love in the moonlight.

“I ken. I’m sorry, I am. I’m so, so sorry,” he said, his voice breaking. It was unnerving to see him like this; so fragile and near broken. But this time, she was determined to be the strong one.

“I’ll find ye. I promise, I will.”

“Ye are strong, Gemma. I dinnae doubt ye.”

She rested her head against his shoulder as the sun began to set. It cast a warm, golden light across the surface of the ocean. The water sparkled and glimmered like a thousand diamonds, and the waves gently lapped against the shore. The sky was a palette of vivid oranges, pinks and purples, creating a breathtaking display that seemed almost surreal. Finally, the sun itself was a fiery orb, slowly sinking lower and lower towards the water's edge. Its light grew softer and more diffuse, as if the very act of setting was a gentle, graceful dance.

As the last sliver of the sun finally disappeared beneath the horizon, the sky exploded into a riot of color, the clouds and the water reflecting and amplifying the beauty of the moment.

If this was the last moment she could spend with Colin before he left, she would be grateful indeed.

Gemma hadno desire to visit the castle anymore. And now that Colin was leaving and Bryce was nowhere to be found, Mrs. Gordon saw no reason to continue sending her daughter to help with whatever chores were needed. By this time, her name was well-known, and she needed no more visibility. Now, she spent her time at home and did her chores on her own. Sometimes, her mother would notice her sighing, or looking forlornly at the ocean, but she was not near as harsh with her as she used to be.

Today was market day, so Gemma was out of the house. After yesterday’s conversation with Colin, she needed to occupy her mind. Sitting still whilst stitching clothes would mean that her mind could run rampant. She needed some external stimulation, and the market was the place to find it. The sounds of chatter, laughter, and haggling could be heard from miles away. Gemma smelled the aroma of fresh bread, meat pies, and roasted game, as well as fresh cut flowers and ale. To anyone else, it would have been an assault on the olfactory senses, but it was a welcome reprieve to Gemma.

She walked through the marketplace, admiring the craftsmanship of the various textiles, pottery, and all sorts of utensils for homes and gardens. It was all well and good, until she began to feel an eerie sense at the back of her neck, like a spider crawling up it. She tried to ignore it as she walked on, but the feeling only grew, and then out of the corner of her eye, she saw him.

Bryce was standing at a stall of herbs, hooded and cloaked like some dark highwayman with ill intentions. She froze. He’d disappeared right after the incident in the great hall, and no one had seen him for nearly a week. With Colin set to leave today, she wondered if he had business with either of them, but she did not want to consider it. Gemma turned around to leave, and rushed back to the entrance of the market square. But Bryce was faster and taller, and with his longer legs, he caught up to her in no time.

Her heart was racing, fluttering about like a bird in a cage. When he was nearly upon her, she turned around and brandished a knife at him.

“Stay back!” She hissed, fright evident in her voice.

Bryce held his hands up and stepped back a few paces.

“I’ll not approach ye too close. I’m sorry. I dinnae mean tae frighten ye.”

“Then why are ye here, lurkin’ about like some thief in a cloak?”

“I’m sorry. I’ve been…hiding. An’ then I saw ye in the market, an’...I need tae speak wi’ ye.”

“Make it fast. I’m sure ye ken I dinnae trust ye anymore,” she said coldly.

“Aye,” Bryce said, removing his hood now that they were out of earshot and eyesight from the market. “I just wanted tae tell ye…I’m sorry. I dinnae realize that ye an’ Colin had been involved all along. I came here tae tell ye that ye deserve tae be happy. I think…in my own way, I love ye still, but…” he gritted his teeth and shook his head, “I now see that nothin’ would make me happier than tae ken that ye are well, happy an’ peaceful wi’ someone ye love.”

Gemma was flabbergasted by his words. Not six days ago he’d held a knife to her neck and told her she belonged to him. It was odd, to hear him speak like this.

“This better not be some jest,” she said suspiciously, drawing the knife closer to her but still keeping the blade out.

He shook his head.

“‘Tis no jest. I ken ye care about Colin, an’ always have. Ye deserve tae get what ye want.”

She looked into his emerald eyes, so much like Colin’s, but so different at the same time. The color may have been the same, but the emotions were not. Bryce’s now flashed with sorrow and regret. For a moment she felt sorry for him, but he’d done unforgivable things. It would be years before she considered changing her mind about his character.

“Thank ye, Bryce. I wish ye well.”