Page 79 of His Forgotten Highland Bride

“I hope I am not like my uncle.”

She came to sit on his uninjured leg and kissed his lips. She placed her forehead against his so grateful he was the man he was.

“You are nothing like Ewan. If you were, I would have let that arrow find you.”

Ronan laughed at her jest as he leaned in and placed a kiss on the scar at her collarbone.

“Does it still pain you?” he asked.

“No. It makes me angry that he is still on our lands, making his threats and keeping us from enjoying a walk or a hunt.” She felt like a prisoner being forced to live behind the castle walls. She was grateful the truth was known, but with Ewan still out there, the danger was too great. It surprised her when Ronan sat back and looked her in the eyes.

“Tomorrow, we go out early to hunt and enjoy a lovely walk.”

“With plenty of guards,” she added.

“Aye. With plenty of guards. We will not cower away inside the keep.”

“Do you hope to lure him out in the open?”

He laughed again. “You are too wise, wife.”

“I only considered it because it is what I would do in your position.”

The following morning promised a beautiful day. She and Ronan dressed quickly, her in her trews and he in his kilt. With a dozen warriors to offer protection, they were ready to ride out when Angus came into the bailey complaining of someone taking one of his cows.

“I think if Ewan knew how often he would need to deal with Angus’ complaints, we’d not need protection for he’d realize how much work this job is and would run fast and far from it.”

She smiled at his joke, though it wasn’t funny. The truth of it was Ewan only wanted the power the job offered. He would have no intention of seeing to clan affairs or the responsibilities that came with being laird. “I’ll stay with you.”

“Nay. It is a beautiful morning. I’ll not have you miss it. My men will watch over you, and I’ll join you as soon as I’m done with him.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I want to give you a head start so I have an excuse as to why you got more rabbits than me.”

She laughed as he kissed her right on the lips in front of everyone gathered in the bailey.

“Come, Angus, you’re keeping me from frolicking in the forest with my wife.” He waved as he ushered the old man into the hall.

She rode with the men through the gate and then announced her desire to stop at the kirkyard before hunting. One of the men held onto her horse, the others spread out searching for possible dangers, while Malcolm and Gabe stayed close to her as she gathered heather.

With her proper bundles, she meandered to the kirkyard and stopped before the newest grave that had not yet grown over with grass.

“I miss ye, Geordie. You would be pleased to know Angus is pestering Ronan about his cattle as he did you. Ronan is a fine laird. If only we could deal with Ewan, I think we could find happiness.”

She placed her second bunch of heather on the small, blank stone next to Geordie’s. As was common, tears pricked at her eyes, and her throat grew tight to see the stone with no name. She may have asked Ronan about his wishes, but they had yet to discuss the matter, and she hadn’t the courage to bring it up as yet.

She placed a kiss to her fingers and pressed them to the cool stone.

“I’m sorry. I love ye, Marcas.”

She hadn’t realized Ronan had joined her until he spoke. She jumped from the surprise as much as his anger.

“Who the bloody hell is this Marcus ye love? And why did ye plant the bastard between my grandsire and my father in our clan’s kirkyard?” He scowled down at the stone.

Anger surged over her in a wave so fierce she imagined her eyes must be throwing sparks as she clenched her fist, ready to strike him. Instead, she opened her mouth and let him have it.

“He was not a bastard!” she screamed. “He had a father! Though I’m sure you didn’t want to be his father any more than you’d wanted to be my husband. But it didn’t matter what you wanted. He was your son, you bloody arse!”