Page 42 of Highlander’s Forbidden Fruit

“That’s nonsense Isla, and ye ken it. I have never come after ye, I have never proposed marriage, so get this notion out of yer wee head.”

Isla stared at him, her chest heaving. Then her eyes widened, and her lips turned into a cruel snarl.

“I see what’s happened. It’s her. Ye must think the Laird will give his daughter’s hand in marriage to ye if ye bow low enough and do whatever yer told. Has she tried anything on ye? Oh, I bet she did. Women like her, who’re desperate for husbands, do. Couldn’t find a fool in England so she returned to try her charms on ye. More the fool, ye. Were ye showing her the farmland or sowing oats for winter?”

“That’s enough!” Aleck roared, raising his hand in warning. “One more word, and I’ll show ye yer place. Yer not the dirt off her boots. Pulling down yer bodice, displaying yerself for everyone to see, throwing yerself at men when yer clearly not wanted. Find a man who wants ye. I dinnae.”

He pushed past her, fuming at her words. How dare she! Evanna had done a thoughtless thing by running away, but she was no hussy. If anyone fit the bill of a trollop, it was Isla.

A thought occurred to Aleck as he picked up his sword and began to exercise his arms with its weight. Why had Isla’s family moved from Aberdeen? They claimed her father was a drunk, but Aleck had seen no evidence of this. The man didn’t touch the stuff, but it couldn’t be from fear of Lockard. A drunk scarcely cared about the consequences, all they cared about was the thirst that would drive them mad for a tankard of ale.

His curiosity piqued he decided to dig further into the story of the Graham’s moving to Glenlivet.

Chapter Fifteen

Aleck was acting strange.

They were outside Laird MacLeod’s chambers, waiting for him to finish his supper. Evanna had tried to strike a conversation with him while they waited, but Aleck was preoccupied with something.

She had wanted to tell him how much the ride this morning had meant to her. Usually, their conflicts would boil over like milk left too long on the fire, but today they had managed to simmer down without outside intervention. It still hurt her whenever he expressed how much he didn’t desire her, but she was slowly coming to terms with that feeling.

Torch fire flickered on to his visage. A small frown creased his eyebrows. She wondered what he was thinking. Could it be about Isla Graham? She bit her lip as delight and guilt fought inside her heart. The delight stemmed from Aleck’s claim that he did not love Isla, but the guilt was born from her desire to see him happy. How could she move on with John if her heart knew Aleck’s heart was empty and available?

“Penny for yer thoughts?’ she asked.

Aleck looked startled. “Nae. I was just thinking on a problem.”

“Isla?”

His eyes widened in surprise. “How’d ye ken?”

She shrugged. “Women’s intuition.”

“Where can I buy it?”

Evanna laughed at his little joke. “Let me guess, she didnae take yer declaration well?”

“Nae.” Aleck rubbed the back of his neck, grimacing as he did so. “But that’s nae what I’m pondering.”

“Share with me. I find it helps to talk to someone about yer problems. Friends often help us find solutions.” She gave him a special smile. He caught on to her meaning. They were standing outside the Laird’s chamber because Evanna had asked for his help. He could not be her lover, so she had offered him friendship. Now she wanted to see if he would return the favor.

“I think they lied about why they moved to Glenlivet.”

“The whole family?”

“Aye.” Aleck nodded. “Something’s nae sitting right with their story. They said the father was a drunken sot and useless, but he’s taken over one of the leaseholds and managing it just fine. More than fine, in fact. He’s a hardworking man. I’ve never seen drunken sots turn themselves around in less than nine months; have ye?”

“I cannae say I have, but then again I havenae seen many drunken sots. But why does that bother ye? They could have come for other reasons they dinnae want to share. Ye can afford them some privacy.”

Aleck withdrew. There was more, but he no longer felt the need to share it. Evanna wanted to kick herself. They were having a nice conversation; he was confiding in her and she’d had to go and open her big mouth.

Before she could apologize and tell him to continue, the door opened and the chamber maid came out with the supper dishes. “Ye can see him now.”

Evanna took a deep shuddering breath. Aleck found her hand and gave it a squeeze of encouragement. Suddenly Evanna wanted to cry. This would have been so much easier if Aleck loved her and they were going in to ask for Laird MacLeod’s blessing of their union. But as Aleck had said earlier - life was rarely fair.

Laird Julius MacLeod was sitting at his study table, a nice fire roaring behind the grate. Evanna had always loved this room, with its green tapestry walls, oak furniture, and the smell of brandy and tobacco.

“The two of ye?” he looked surprised. “I thought Evanna needed to speak to me.”