Page 57 of The Highland Heir

But there were no men in the hallfighting.

She raced out to the bailey to find themthere. Her father was calling out orders to his men to gather theirweapons. The grooms were bringing out horses already covered inarmor.

There had not been a battle in the hall, butthere was to be a battle.

“What has happened?” she asked one of the menwho was filling a knapsack with food.

“Isla MacKenzie has married a rottingCampbell.”

It took a moment for Ella to realize why thatname was familiar.

“Kieran’s intended?”

“Aye. The laird sees the disregard of themarriage contracts as an act of war by the Campbells. We plan touse a show of force to get the Campbells to concede.”

“I see.” Ella felt as if she’d been punchedin the stomach.

All this fuss because a woman marriedanother? Kieran would be free of the marriage he didn’t want, yetshe saw him across the courtyard tucking daggers into his sash.

She made her way over to him. When he sawher, his shoulders seemed to slump and he didn’t raise his head tomeet her eyes.

“You’re going to fight to get your brideback,” Ella said, hating that she sounded jealous. She’d known allalong he would marry, and she’d promised herself she wouldn’t pinefor the man once that happened.

But it hadn’t happened yet, and it seemed thewoman didn’t want to marry him any more than Kieran wanted to marryher.

“It is not my choice. My father has called usto arms, so we will go and fight if needed. But it shouldn’t cometo that. The Campbells won’t risk losing men for one lass. She willbe made to honor the marriage contract.”

“Then you should go get her.”

“Ella,” he said, pain clear in his voice ashe finally raised his head to look her in the eye. “Ye know this isnot what I want. But my father will not let this offense go. Shewill be found, and I will be wed.”

Ella nodded. She might have known this washow it would be, but she’d had no idea how much it would hurt.

Chapter Twenty

Kieran had put off this moment for as long aspossible, but it was time to say goodbye to Ella. And in so doing,he would destroy a friendship they’d had all their lives.

But there was nothing for it. When hereturned with his bride, everything between he and his best friendwould need to be put aside. All hope of continuing their friendshiphad died when he continued to give into his desires over and overagain. He may not know Isla MacKenzie, and he surely didn’t loveher. But he would not be an unfaithful lout of a husband.

Even if it didn’t bear well that his bridehad run off to marry another.

He was bound by honor to a woman who was astranger to him, despite his love for the woman he knew better thanany other person.

He would not carry on with Ella when he couldnot offer himself fully. She deserved more than a shameful affair.She deserved a happy life. If she found that happiness with ArranSutherland, Kieran would be pleased for them. Eventually.

Ella stood before him, a strand of her hairfalling over her temple, curling against her face. He wanted toreach out and brush it back, but he dared not for what that simpleact would do to him.

“You are ready?” she asked, and he saw asmall tremor at her bottom lip. He wasn’t sure if she was asking ifhe was ready for the battle or ready to move on with his life. Thetruth was he’d rather face a thousand battles if it meant gettingto keep this woman.

He simply nodded.

He knew she was putting on a brave face whenreally she wished to cry. He silently thanked her for her bravery.For if she broke down, he would give in and pull her into his arms,and all would be lost. For a while at least.

But his father would eventually win. Therewas no doubt in that. Kieran would marry this MacKenzie lass in theend. He squeezed his fingers into fists at his side.

“I am.” He nodded again and pressed his lipstogether to hold in the words he wanted to speak. That he lovedher. That he didn’t want to go. If he begged her to run away again,would she be desperate enough to consider it? And if she did, whatkind of life would that be?

“I wish you well. If my da doesn’t think thiswill end in bloodshed, then it should be a simple thing. When theforce of two armies shows up to collect your bride, the Campbellswill surely have no choice but to turn her over withapologies.”