Page 11 of Highlander’s Forbidden Fruit

“Oh.” Lord Ashby’s smile curdled. “Yes. Evanna’s actions are reprehensible.”

“So, she arrived safe and sound?”

“Safe, yes,” Lord Ashby made his way to the table by the far wall and poured brandy in two glasses. “I wouldn’t dare comment on the soundness of her mind.”

Aleck couldn’t help but smile at the quip as he took the glass. He needed a drink after the journey he’d had, and he would be the first to admit that knowing Evanna had arrived unharmed had lifted a great burden off his shoulder. The thought of her injured, assaulted, or harassed in any way had been the primary source of his anxiety. What would he say to Laird MacLeod if he didn’t bring his daughter back in one piece when he had been solely charged to do so?

It didn’t bear thinking.

“I shall take her off yer hands, sir. As soon as my horse is rested, we will be on our way back.”

Lord Ashby smacked his lips after he downed his drink and shook his head. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible. My wife and daughter have got it in their heads that Evanna will attend the season. There’s no persuading them otherwise.”

“I appreciate yer position, sir, but my Laird has charged me with bringing Lady Evanna back posthaste. I’m afraid I cannae delay, nae leave her behind.”

Lord Ashby flashed him a sardonic smile that was laced with kindness. “Wait a few days. Rest your horse and see the town. Julius will send a letter assenting to Portia’s plan soon enough.”

“I dinnae see how the Laird will give in.” Aleck said a touch stubbornly.

Lord Ashby placed a hand on Aleck’s shoulder and squeezed. “You’ll see. And when that letter arrives try not to take this fool’s errand as a personal insult. Julius is helpless where Evanna is concerned. Any father is.” His eyes were serious and carried a haunted expression, as if he knew perfectly well what it was like to be a slave to the whims and wishes of the women in his life.

Aleck was horrified by it. He was suddenly glad Lockard kept him too busy in the practice yard to explore the women in the village. They sounded like nothing but trouble and heartache.

“I cannae wait for a letter to arrive to do my duty, sir. I have to take her back.”

“You’ll have to convince Lady Ashby, Clara, and Evanna. And it’s a battle you’ll have to fight alone.” Lord Ashby took Aleck’s empty glass, placed it on the table and led him out of the room. “But I can offer you some advice? Take the night to rest before you walk into battle. Jenkins has prepared a bedroom for you. Wash the journey off and join us for dinner. I’m sure Evanna will be pleased to see you.”

Aleck doubted that very much, but he kept that to himself. He let Lord Ashby guide him through his splendidly decorated home and to a room down a long hall. The room was better than his small lodgings in Glenlivet.

“I’m not as tall as you,” Lord Ashby said, “but I took the liberty of having some old clothes set out for you to wear while your clothes are washed. I hope that’s okay.”

“It’s very generous of ye, sir.” Aleck nodded gratefully.

“I shall leave you to it.”

The door clicked shut, and Aleck was left alone with his thoughts. Was it possible he had journeyed five days through bad weather and worse temper for nothing? Trust Evanna to make him run pointless circles.

A bath suddenly sounded like a great idea. He peeled off his clothes and set them neatly on a chair by the window. The view was of the front gardens where he had spied the two ladies earlier. He saw them again now walking arm in arm towards the manor.

With a jolt of surprise, he realized one of the ladies was Evanna. He hadn’t recognized her before. Maybe because her signature crown of wild hair was tucked neatly into a bun. She was laughing blithely, her cheeks rose pink from the walk.

Anger engulfed him. Here he was at the end of a worrying arduous journey, and all the while Evanna had been laughing and skipping in the Ashby gardens like nothing in the world was out of place. He felt a fool.

Turning away from the window and its infuriating view, he stepped into the bath hoping it would soothe his annoyance. The memory of her laughing face was etched into his mind’s eye. He clenched his jaw as he sunk his head beneath the water. If it was a fight Evanna wanted, it would be a fight she would get, but there would be only one winner, and Aleck was determined it would be him

Chapter Six

Evanna was having the time of her life.

Two wonderful days had gone by, and she had many more to look forward to—the whole summer at least, and if she were lucky, till the end of the year. Lord Ashby had sent a letter to Laird MacLeod by post-chase express. She was sure they would be hearing from him soon. But Evanna’s mind was preoccupied by other things, and she hadn’t given much thought to her father’s response after the letter had been sent.

They had visited the seamstress after her bath on the day she arrived. Evanna had never known that the world was full of so much color.

The layers and varieties of fabric, new laces, designs from Paris, and hats for every occasion. It was an education Evanna had never received. During the course of the fitting, she learned that orange was not her color, and pale blue and green were most suited to her complexion. They had bought a few day dresses there and then, and commissioned ball gowns for the season. Her first was to arrive tomorrow morning, just in time for Lady Rochester’s ball to open the season.

Rose had even managed to tame Evanna’s hair into modest hairstyles. It hadn’t been an easy task, but Rose belonged to a long line of lady’s maids and had learned the tricks of the trade since she was a babe in arms. The girl was also a fount of knowledge. She had taught Evanna how to hold her chin to best showcase her long neck, which hairstyle best suited her facial structure, and which points on her body to use perfume to maximize its effect.

Whatever Laird MacLeod might say, Evanna had been right to come to London. She would never had learned any of this in her male dominated household.