Page 95 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

He nodded. “My lady, would you see to the children? Ev and I are going to get some air.” When Kenna nodded, he turned his wife toward the steps that led up to the battlements.

“It’s lovely up here, is it not?” she said. He couldn’t agree, for his view looked out into a field full of soldiers ready to take his wife from him by force if necessary.

“It is,” he agreed. “Ev…” He let out a gust of air. “If ever your new husband dies and you’re found free to marry again, I hope you’ll write to me so I can send for you and bring you home.”

“And if you’ve married another?” She made it sound like a reasonable thing, but he couldn’t think of it. He’d only ever thought himself with her. He’d not find happiness with someone else while Evelyn lived and could possibly come back to him. He’d wait for her the rest of his days. “I’ll not marry again.”

“But the children need—”

“I’ll see that the children get what they need, that they’re loved and cared for. But I have only ever wanted you, Ev. When that seemed impossible, and your father rejected my suit over and over, I never wavered. I knew I’d not take another to wife as a substitute for you. I’ll not do so now, either.”

He shook his head and laughed once. The coldness of it carried off in the breeze. “I thought Bryce a fool for not allowing himself to love again after his first wife died. But I understand now. As long as you live you will be my wife and have my heart, and I’ll not have it to give to another.”

“I may have to give my body to another man and take his name, but my heart is yours, Liam MacKinlay. No one else shall ever touch it.”

They held each other tightly, but Liam knew it was time to go.

“You’ll stay in the castle until we’ve returned and it’s assured there will be no hostilities.”

She nodded. “Aye. I’ll remain in the solar until you return.”

“Very well.”

With that he left to join the men gathered in the courtyard.

Liam waited in the bailey until the last moment, watching the door to the hall, hoping Ev would rush out to tell him she’d changed her mind. When she didn’t, he nudged his horse and rode out to join the others.

Lach, Cam, and Bryce were heading across the field at a leisurely pace. Liam didn’t mind the slow progress. He was in no hurry to have this done.

“I can’t believe it’s come to this,” he said.

“These women and their damned stubbornness. Why must they sacrifice themselves for us?” Cam complained. “We’re supposed to be the strong ones.”

Lach laughed at that. “You’ve seen them give birth. Do ye really think you’re stronger than them?”

Cam winced and shook his head. As Cam had admitted to him before, they all knew how strong their women were. What they were willing to give up to keep those they loved safe.

“Whatever bugger came up with annulments should be drawn and quartered,” Bryce grumbled and shook his head. He’d signed one once, only to have Lach hold it so it never got to its destination.

“I believe that was the church, Bryce,” Cam bit his lip.

Bryce crossed himself. “They seem like the work of the devil to me.”

“I can’t believe I was so wrong about what was between us,” Liam continued in a daze. This felt like a nightmare. One he’d never wake up from.

“I doubt you’re wrong,” Lach said with a sigh.

Cam nodded. “I know it sounds impossible, but it’s because she loves you, she’s able to leave you.”

“That makes no sense at all.” Liam looked at Cam as if he were daft. “And she doesn’t love me. She accepted me as a means to get what she wanted.”

The men glanced about one another. Lach was the one to speak. “Love doesn’t often make sense. And I doubt Evelyn would be going through this if she didn’t love you.”

When they cleared the rise, Liam looked down at the army waiting for them. Two banners waved in the breeze. One he recognized as the Stewarts’, the other had to be the Morgans’.

The Morgans wore helmets as if they were expecting to do battle instead of accept the MacKinlay’s surrender. Did they think the MacKinlays dishonorable? Anger welled up, making his skin hot. It was all too much.

“I can’t do this. I can’t give up my wife.”