Page 27 of Highlander’s Forbidden Fruit

“That doesn’t change the fact that he is.”

“When you two are done arguing over our brooding but lovable Scot, I can let the physician in,” Ashton commented.

Evanna and Clara exchanged glances and burst into giggles.

Clara came to sit by Evanna, a damp cloth in her hand with which she cleaned Evanna’s hands. Evanna hadn’t noticed how dirty they had become from picking snails in the woods.

Ashton opened the door, and the physician walked in. He was a tall man with cotton-white hair that flew about his head like cobwebs. Aleck followed close behind him, carrying his valise, his expression grim.

“Let’s see the damage.” The physician bent over Evanna’s foot and removed her slipper. Evanna bit her lip hard to stop from groaning in pain. “A little swelling,” the physician noted. “But not too bad. Apply ice to it and avoid overexertion.”

“But the dance in Harley Square,” Evanna protested.

“You may attend, but I must strictly advise against dancing.” The physician applied a poultice and tightly wound clean bandages around her ankle.

Evanna glared art Aleck. “I hope yer happy.”

Aleck remained stone-faced. He didn’t directly look at Evanna but just over the top of her head. “A letter arrived while we were in the woods. It was from Laird MacLeod.”

Evanna’s heart stopped beating in her chest. Was this the end? Was she to end her London season after one ball and a twisted ankle?

“Looks like ye got yer wish, lass. Ye won’t be seeing my face again. I’ve been asked to return without ye.”

Clara and Ashton both stared wide-eyed between the two, but Evanna was too stunned to say anything to them. She was to stay in England. Her father had approved. Within moments she had gotten everything she wanted when she ran away from home. But she was more miserable than before she had left.

“When do you leave?”

“Today. Right now.”

This was the end of something, she could feel it in her bones, but she was powerless to stop it. Too many things had happened, too many words said for her to take them back. The distance that she had felt between them in the woods yawned wider, and even though he was feet away from her, she knew he would be gone soon.

Wasn’t this exactly what she’d wished for? She’d wanted to come to London, she had wanted to be admired and pursued by suitable men. She had wanted to forget about Aleck and never see him again. All her wishes were coming true.

“I wish you luck, lass. Miss Ashby.” He turned abruptly to Clara, dismissing Evanna as if she were no more than a piece of furniture in the room. “Thank ye for yer kindness, and yer generosity. I am forever indebted to ye.”

“It was my pleasure to have you here, Aleck, and I hope you will honor us with your presence again.”

Aleck bowed.

“Mr. Winchester, thank ye for yer company. I am honored to have made yer acquaintance.”

Ashton shook Aleck’s hand. “You’re not so bad for a savage Scot.”

“I’ve met many an English reprobate in my time, but I’ve liked none as much as I’ve liked you.”

Both men smiled and bade each other farewell. Evanna was left wondering how they had gotten to know each other so well after only one afternoon.

“That’s sorted.” The physician tapped Evanna’s toe and got up. “Do you mind carrying my valise down the stairs, sir?” he asked. “Knees not what they used to be.”

Aleck obliged. He picked up the valise. Gave one last farewell nod to Clara and Ashton, and just before he was leaving, almost as an afterthought, he nodded towards Evanna and left.

The door closed with a quiet click, but it reverberated like thunder in her ears. It was done. He was gone.

Chapter Eleven

Evanna was in her room at the Ashby manor, her hair spilling like liquid gold behind her back. Her dress was in a heap on the floor by the bed, her chemise so thin Aleck could see the blush pink of her nipples. His manhood stirred at the sight of her.

Sensing him there she looked up in the mirror, her azure blue eyes widening at the sight of him. Caught by her gaze, he abandoned all caution and shut the door with a final snap.