Page 33 of The Highland Heir

“I realized shortly after he left that Inever loved him. But I did love another, and his heart was forsomeone else. It was only after I’d lost the second man I thoughtto call husband that I decided I would rather be alone than need aman for anything more than fetching me water. And for that, thereis always a lad about who is eager for a coin.” She smiled again,as if the shadow of sadness Ella had seen had never existed.

Ella didn’t ask anything else.

She’d never noticed the divide between herworld and Kieran’s. They had been friends, equals for as long asshe could remember. But, in truth, they were not equal. Kieran’sfuture had been sealed from the time his older brother haddied.

Things were going to change between them.

Ella needed to be prepared.

She needed to start thinking of her ownfuture and what she wanted. What might make her happy. Or if nothappy, at least not miserable.

Arran seemed like a fine man. He didn’t rouseher heart to beating the way Kieran’s had come to do, but mayhap itwas better that way. She’d not be at risk for injuring her heart ifit had no reason to get away from her.

*

Kieran barely slept the night before. Everytime he closed his eyes, he pictured Ella with Arran, and as hetried to move forward to stop her from going away with him, hefound his feet were chained to the castle wall.

Giving up, he went down to the hall to breakhis fast and was one of the first men in the bailey to startdrills. Arran was already there, smiling, as was his way.Meanwhile, Kieran was having trouble mustering any hint ofpleasantries.

As they began sparring, Kieran felt free todo what he could not do in his dreams.

“Might I remind you we are only sparring?”Arran said as he bent over to catch his breath. “You’re going tohave me on my arse.”

Kieran had gone at the man with more effortthan a mere practice session required, but he’d been angry andneeded to work it out.

While he knew Arran was not the true cause ofhis foul mood, it seemed he would be the focus of it.

“I would like to invite Ellisay to the castlefor the late meal. Do you think she would come?” Arran asked.

“She’s here to see to her aunt, not dine inthe hall with a bunch of ogling men.”

“I didn’t mean to ogle. But as I saidyesterday, the lass is lovely. Odd that no one has offered for herbefore. Is there something wrong with her?”

That remark had Kieran raising his blade.Arran backed away from the flailing sword, but the edge of Kieran’sblade caught Arran in the hand.

“Damn it, man!” Arran snapped. He squeezedhis hand to determine how badly he was cut. Blood welled along theline and dripped sluggishly across his palm.

It would not need stitching. Which was goodbecause Kieran had lost hold of his temper and could have done realdamage to Arran without meaning to.

“I’m sorry. I am not sure why I am in such afoul mood today.” He shook his head and ran a hand through hishair. “There’s nothing wrong with Ellie—Ella. Nothing at all.” Helooked up at the blue sky and the few puffy clouds crossing abovethem. “In truth, she is perfect. Much too good for you. Or me forthat matter.”

Arran raised his brow. “I thought you werepromised.”

“I am.”

“Are ye certain?”

“I have to be. I have no other choice.”

Arran nodded. “I see.”

And Kieran thought the man did see. He musthave seen more than Kieran did.

“I would not make a bad husband,” Arranassured him. Kieran was not the person Arran would need to getpermission from in order to court Ella. Teague would measure Arranand make such a decision. But where Teague might actually considerthe man a good choice, Kieran wouldn’t give up so easily.

“She didn’t come here looking for a husband.She came her to see to her aunt.”

“And her aunt seems to be well enough.Perhaps she would like to come to the castle for the meal as well.They would both be welcome as my guests.”