Page 35 of The Highlander’s Gypsy Temptation

“Good morning, sister. Where are you off to?” she asked her in a jolly tone. Idalia really was happy that after her foolishness, running off by herself into the hands of the very man she should have been running away from, she had been given the opportunity to see her family again. She did not know what she would have done if Bran had been another man and she had been handed over to August Raymond with no hope of ever coming home again.

“Good morning! I was just about to go for a ride and then to take a swim at the lake just a short distance off. Would you like to come with me?” Leonor asked her as she closed the door behind her.

“I would love to, but there is something I really need to do. Maybe some other time?”

Idalia walked with her sister to the stables and grinned at the stable boy. She had apologized to him for stealing his clothes. She had offered to have them replaced, but he told her he was glad to see she was safe and that was all that mattered. Idalia had apologized once again, but he had only smiled.

Now, the thought of August coming after her began to fill her mind. She wondered if he was still obsessed with her and if she would ever escape him. And then Idalia suddenly found herself thinking of Bran instead.

I’m losing my wits!

For the first time, roaming around without anything to do did not feel good to her. Idalia walked past the council room, and her curiosity was piqued when she heard voices inside. She had not realized there was a meeting going on. Still, she did not stop to listen until she heard her name spoken.

Idalia paused by a window and peeked in, making sure she was not caught in the act. She was just trying to find out what it was about her they were discussing, yet it felt inappropriate. As she strained to hear past the different murmurs in the room, she hoped it had something to do with August Raymond. She hoped they were finally going after him and that she would soon be free to go about as she pleased, without the fear of being abducted hanging over her head.

“Are ye sure, Bran? Once she makes her decision she will be married tae Andrew and there will be nothing ye can dae,” she heard Dunn’s voice. Andrew? Why would she want to be married to him? Andrew was a wonderful man if a bit on the quiet side. She had, of course, had conversations with him, but he was mostly content to simply watch events unfold.

“Aye, I am certain.” She knew that was Bran speaking. Her heart broke as she took in his words. All day she had been looking for him to confess her feelings, certain that he felt the same way about her as she did about him. And yet, here he was handing her off to his brother. Idalia was suddenly equally devastated and embarrassed. Did he not care about her at all? Not even a tiny bit?

Idalia knew that the only reason they were discussing her marriage was because they imagined it would stop August Raymond from chasing after her. Katarina had told her all about it during breakfast, but she had not realized it would be so soon. Still, even if they had to marry her off in order to save her, was the prospect so terrible for Bran of being with her that he would rather have her married off to another man, and his brother no less?

Her heart was shattered. She held her chest as the pain filled her. Had she really been a fool to think he cared for her? So many thoughts were running through her head, they made her dizzy. She had only just admitted to herself that she was in love with him, so how then could she so quickly shut him out just because he did not seem to return her feelings?

Idalia moved closer to the door of the council room, staying behind a huge pillar so that no one who walked past would see her. When she was certain she was safely hidden away from wandering eyes, she listened to the rest of what was discussed during the meeting. At least they seemed to have moved on from the issue of her marriage after agreeing to tell her first. She was glad they were giving her the option to refuse, although she knew there wasn’t much else they could do to protect her.

They moved on to the topic of Bran’s daughter and decided they would go and rescue her immediately after Idalia’s marriage, which filled her with relief. She knew Bran was still berating himself about having had to leave Mahala there with August Raymond despite hearing the man say that he would never hurt his niece. She knew she would act the same way if it was her child in that situation. It would not do to have August Raymond taint the purity of the child with his black heart and terrible ways.

It was not long before the meeting ended. As the men made their way out of the chamber, she made up her mind to speak to Bran. She needed to know his reasons for refusing her. As he came out of the hall, she moved closer to him, grabbing his arm, pulling on it. She held back the smile that threatened to escape her lips when he jumped and looked back. She watched as the shock in his gaze eased into confusion when he took her in.

“Idalia?” he asked, still confused. “What are ye doing here?” She let go of his hand despite her desire to hold on to him and never let him go.

“We need to talk,” she said, studying his expression. She noticed his hesitance and her heart broke even more at the realization that he did not even want to be near her. Still, she uttered, “Please.”

“All right.” He gestured for her to go towards the garden. Idalia looked at him and went ahead, with him on her heels. She paused in her steps and looked back at him without uttering a word, and he seemed to understand what she wanted. He hurried his steps until he was walking beside her. Together, they took a stroll into the garden, in silence.

Idalia closed her eyes as the evening air blew around her, carrying the scent of the flowers. She took in a deep breath and exhaled as she opened her eyes slowly. Although she had always enjoyed the smell of flowers and being in the garden among all the wonderful colors, she could not bring herself to enjoy it as much this time, not after what she had heard and what she was about to do.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“What was it ye wanted tae talk about?” Bran asked her when they finally approached her favorite seat, which was carved out of rock and located at the farther end of the garden. Idalia sat down and tapped the space beside her for him. She smiled when he sat next to her, then she looked out at the flowers as she spoke.

“I overheard what was discussed in the council meeting,” she said simply, waiting for him to respond.

“Ye are nae supposed tae be eavesdropping,” Bran said suddenly. Idalia was irritated. She knew she was not supposed to be eavesdropping, of course, she was no fool. It had not been her intention, at least, not until she heard her name being mentioned and grew curious as to why. Still, she said nothing regarding his words.

“Did you mean what you said in the hall?” she asked him. “Are you really so… repulsed with the idea of being wed to me, to the point you are not even willing to consider it?”

Idalia struggled with her composure, yet she would not allow herself to break down in front of him.

“Dinnae be like this, Idalia,” Bran looked at her with sad eyes that seemed to betray what he truly felt inside him. “I dinnae want tae force ye tae the doom of having tae be with me.”

Idalia looked at him, wondering what he could be talking about. Being with him was not something she could ever consider as being doomed. She knew she would love being with him. He filled her with excitement and life. Until him, she had never wanted to be with any man, nor had she ever thought of a future involving a child or a man. Now, with him, the idea did not fill her with fear, and neither did she feel trapped.

“Doomed? Forced?” she asked, nearly getting up from her seat to look him in the eyes. “How could you even believe for an instant that being with you would feel like I am being doomed? And what do you mean “force me”? I am being pressured to marry anyway. I have little choice here, Bran, do I not? I do not know about you, but I would rather be married to someone whom I at least like,” she continued. “Not that I am enjoying your company so much right this moment, with all the nonsense you’re speaking.”

Idalia looked at him, feeling her heart racing as she stared at him, waiting for him to speak. Instead, Bran remained silent, seemingly lost in thought. She had no choice than to wait.

“Please say something, Bran.” She willed him with all of her might, hoping he would tell her what she needed to hear. He let out a deep breath, and she tensed, her grip tightening around the bench.