Page 8 of Highlander’s Forbidden Fruit

“I don’t know who you are. You could be a madwoman out to do our Clara harm.”

“I would never harm Clara,” she said solemnly. “I’m Evanna MacLeod.” She introduced herself and extended a hand. “Who are ye?”

The youth looked at her proffered hand with mild amusement. Evanna didn’t understand what was so amusing about her handshake.

“Ashton Winchester.” He touched the tip of her fingers in a weak shake and let go.

“Nice to meet ye.” Evanna gripped his hand firmly as her father had taught her and pumped once and then twice. She felt a jolt of giggles rumble in her belly at the sight of his shocked face. “Can ye direct me to the Ashby manor?”

“I’ll do you one better. I’ll take you there.”

Evanna’s smile stiffened. Was this another trap? “That’s nice of ye, but I can manage.”

Ashton looked her over from head to toe. “It clearly doesn’t look like it. And don’t worry. I’m doing this for my vested interest. I want to see the look on Clara’s face when she sees you.”

Evanna was aware that she was being made fun of, and that Ashton didn’t believe she was a friend of Clara’s. She let him guide her through a small copse of woods that divided the properties, but she kept her fists ready to fight if he tried to attempt anything smart.

“You’re from Scotland, right?” Ashton asked. He was making conversation and Evanna didn’t see the harm in obliging.

“Aye.”

“Your men wear skirts, don’t they?”

“They do nae wear ridiculous hats though,” she eyed his stove-top hat. “Makes ye look like a chimney. Ye must have to watch yerself around chimney sweeps. They’d climb right on top of ye.”

Ashton snorted laughter. “I didn’t mean to offend. Just curious. Ah, here we are.”

Evanna had been so distracted by their conversation that she hadn’t noticed the manor house in front of them. It was just as beautiful as Clara had described. Pale gray stone surrounded by lush green lawns and flowers of every color in bloom. It was a small piece of heaven, and Evanna had finally arrived at her journey’s end.

She began to run. Ashton called to her to take it slow, but she didn’t care. She ran up to the front door and knocked with all her might. By the time Ashton caught up with her, he was out of breath and red around the collar.

The door opened and a butler stood erect and foreboding.

“Lord Ashton?” he inquired, raising his eyebrows at Evanna.

“Is Ms. Ashby home?” Ashton asked.

“Clara! I’m here to see Clara!”

“And you are?” the butler asked, sneering at her in distaste.

“Evanna? Is that you?”

Evanna whipped around to see Clara, beautiful, angelic, wonderful Clara, coming in from a walk in her garden, a small bouquet clutched in her hands.

“Clara!” Evanna rushed to her friend and hugged her tight. Tears began to spill again. She was so glad she was finally home.

“There, there, dear Evanna.” Clara patted her back and led her inside the house. “Morton! Don’t just stand there. Our guest looks famished. Tell Sophie to prepare some tea and sandwiches and have the room next to mine prepared for Evanna. My friend is finally home.”

Chapter Four

“She must go back at once!”

They all sat in the back parlor that overlooked the gardens. Evanna was much restored after a hearty tea and Clara’s soothing company. She had looked forward to a hot bath next, but Lord Ashby had stormed into the parlor with Lady Ashby on his heels, fuming like a sea dragon.

Lord Ashby continued to pace up and down the room in fury. Ashton Winchester, who had joined them for tea, had planted himself by the window, a veritable fly on the wall to the proceedings.

Evanna chewed her lips and watched Lord Ashby with wide eyes. She had been so intent on arriving at Ashby Manor that she had completely neglected to consider what kind of welcome she would receive. Any lady with any sense would have been aware that hosting a runaway would be far from decent and would ruin the reputation of not only the runaway but her hosting family. But Evanna was no lady.