Page 25 of The Highlander’s Kilted Affair

He could easily remain there for longer, but wary of being in such a public place, he fought against his longing.

“Ye cannae ken how much I want ye, Evelyn,” he growled against her lips.

“Oh…” She floundered for a second, as though she had forgotten his name, and then said, “Audor.”

Benedict slowly pulled away, still gazing at her with fire in his eyes. He nearly didn’t care that he was torturing himself. Or that Evelyn thought she was kissing his brother. He just couldn’t help wanting to be near her.

“We should be getting back,” he panted, not really wanting to go back to the castle at all.

“Aye,” she whispered breathlessly. “I suppose we should.”

Once mounted on their beasts, they both appeared to be lost in deep thought, and thus, the journey back to the castle was strangely silent. What might be going through Evelyn’s mind, Benedict could not know. He did, however, know what was going through his own.

How am I supposed tae continue this pretense? How can I spend these days with her, without telling her how I feel?

But to tell her how he felt, would be to tell her who he was, and all things considered, what would be the point? She was going to marry Audor. At that very moment, Evelyn was under the impression that he was Audor. For the sake of his brother, and the alliance, her discovering his identity could be detrimental. Besides, it wasn’t fair on her.

Nae. Ye will remain silent. Ye will also be a better man and stay away from her. Naething good can come o’ this. Nae fer ye, or fer her.

Once they arrived at the castle, Benedict saw to it that Evelyn was taken care of by the stable hands. “I must find Killian,” he told her, before hurrying away.

Killian was in the armory taking stock of the weapons, but seeing the seriousness on Benedict’s face at his approach, his cousin frowned.

“What ails ye, Benedict?” he said.

“We spotted Clan Keith’s men in the village. We need tae summon the council immediately.”