Page 18 of Highlander’s Forbidden Fruit

“It was part of the coat when it was given to me,” he said tightly, and snatched the boutonniere off. “I didnae think much of it.”

Evanna noted that though he had removed the boutonniere he had not disposed of it. It was tightly clutched in his hand.

“At least leave me alone on the dance floor.”

In response Aleck picked up her dance card and filled the remaining dances with his name. Infuriated by his action, Evanna stormed out of the ball room and into the gardens with as much dignity as she could muster.

The air was fresh and dewy, and the moon provided sufficient light. A line of glowing lanterns led to the entrance of the maze, which was also lit up. Evanna heard footsteps behind her and turned to see Aleck following. It took all her strength not to yell at the sky. She made a beeline for the maze.

“Evanna!” Aleck called her. “Stop!”

But she picked up her speed instead. Once in the maze she ran. Tall lamps were placed inside the maze to illuminate its paths in the dark. Evanna took one turn after the other until she herself was confused about which way the entrance lay.

“Evanna!” Aleck called, but he sounded far away, the solid wall of hedge muffling his voice.

Leaning back against the hedge she caught her breath. Three months ago, she would have given anything for Aleck to chase her, to call for her, and fill her dance card with his name. The thought of him still made her stomach flutter, but it was tinged with too much bitterness to bring her any joy. Why was life so cruel--throwing everything she had ever desired in her face with twisted wings and sharp broken edges?

“Evanna? This is nae funny. Come out now!” He sounded further away.

Evanna composed herself and started walking further away from the sound of his voice. Her heart hurt a little, but she knew it was the right thing to do. She had to start letting him go. There was no possibility of love with Aleck. After all, the gypsy had been right. Evanna would never get her heart’s desire.

A strangled sob escapade her lips. Would she never know love?

“Are you alright, Miss?”

Evanna shrieked.

A tall man was standing in the shadows between the lamps. Evanna hadn’t spotted him earlier, but he must have seen her running. He must think her in danger.

“Are you in trouble?” he asked stepping closer.

“Nae,” she shook her head and flashed him a smile to show she was alright. “Just needed some air, is all.”

“Are you sure?”

“Aye. I should be heading back.”

“Do you need help finding your way back?” The man kept coming closer, but his face was still in shadows.

Evanna panicked. She was alone in a maze with a stranger. The eventual scandal was far from her worries, her immediate danger was being hurt by the man. If she could have, she would have kicked herself for being such a fool as to run inside a maze without a chaperone.

“Nae, thank ye.” Her response was curt and cold. She turned abruptly and began walking in the opposite direction from the man.

“That’s not the right way!” The man followed her. “You’ll get hopelessly lost. I was once lost in here for twelve hours. My father made them chop it down to three feet so they could find me. Lady Fulton was not happy, I can tell you. Still blames me for a ruined garden party.”

The man kept up a litany of anecdotes and childhood tales as he followed Evanna deeper into the maze. Evanna’s panic kept growing and growing, like a bullfrog in the meadow after a rain, ballooning till it was about ready to pop.

Where was Aleck Bryce when you needed him?

Evanna had arrived at a crossroads.

“You really should take the next right,” the man continued. “I don’t want to be late for dinner. I’m quite famished.”

She looked left. She looked right. The stranger wanted her to head right, but it could very likely be a trap. However, if he had any ignoble designs wouldn’t he have employed them much earlier in the maze? Her head was pounding, and she touched her forehead to make it stop.

“Goodness me, I am a fool.” The stranger pulled out a handkerchief and placed it in Evanna’s hand. “You must be tired. Let me take the lead. Rest up a bit and then we’ll continue.”

Evanna held the handkerchief in boneless fingers. The man stared down at her, concern pooling in his eyes. She was so intent on avoiding him that she hadn’t taken a proper look at him.