Page 62 of Highlander’s Forbidden Fruit

“And I have nae use for ye?” Laird MacLeod reproached.

“I didnae mean that, my Laird.”

“Then why must ye go?”

“We’ve trained all our lives but have seen little battle to hone our skills in. I want to borrow a few years of my service to ye and perfect my skills in active duty, so I may return a better soldier in yer ranks, and an experienced teacher to replace Lockard.”

“Ah!” Laird MacLeod stared at him shrewdly. “So, it’s Lockard’s job yer after, eh? Cannae say I fault the logic. The old bastard’s getting crankier than a nanny goat that needs milking.”

“Do I have yer permission?”

“Ye have my blessing.” Laird MacLeod placed a hand on Aleck’s head. “But ye must make me one promise.”

“Anything, my Laird.”

“Ye must come back. I dinnae give ye permission to die on foreign soil.”

Aleck took the Laird’s hand and kissed it. “Ye have my word.”

“Seems like all of our men are abandoning us in our hour of need, Da,” Evanna said, picking at a loose thread on the cover. She had taken her cue from Aleck and would not look at him. She understood without him having to say so that he was leaving because of her. He couldn’t stand the sight of her with another, neither could she see him with someone else.

“What do ye mean?”

“John is leaving this afternoon as well.”

Aleck looked up and their eyes met. Evanna managed a frail smile, her eyes swimming with tears.

“What for?”

“He wishes for us to wed in February. He says he must spend a last Christmas in England with his family and make arrangements for the wedding.” She was addressing her father, but her eyes were only for Aleck. They were holding their own silent conversation that didn’t require words.

“Tis a bit soon, nae?” Laird MacLeod asked.

“I believe it was yer wish to see us wed as soon as possible.”

Evanna tried hard to keep a hint of accusation from her voice, but a little resentment slipped through.

“Are ye nae happy with my decision, lass?”

Here it was - her chance to finally speak; to refuse John and declare Aleck was the only master of her heart. But the lump, that dratted lump, it pressed down and expanded further until she couldn’t swallow, she couldn’t speak, she could only shake her head.

“Lady Evanna?” Mrs. Lane interrupted. “Sarah Creed is here.”

“I’ll send John up to take his leave,” she said to Laird MacLeod and kissed his forehead.

“I shall prepare for my journey,” Aleck said, standing up, he bowed to the Laird.

They left together though they felt worlds apart. A yearning attraction pulled them together, but it would be foolish to give into it.

At the landing, their hands brushed together. Evanna extended a finger, he hooked it with his for a fraction of a second.

“Must ye go?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I cannae stay.” He looked at her helplessly.

Evanna nodded. She understood how he felt.

“Will ye make me one promise?”