Page 46 of The Highlander’s Kilted Affair

“At the expense of the safety of our clan, Yvaine?”

But even with that remark, Yvaine did not waver. “There are other ways tae form an alliance, sister. Clans form alliances all the time without the need fer a union. And ye would still be marrying intae the clan, I suppose.”

Evelyn was just about to reply when a soft knock sounded on their bedchamber door.

“Just a minute,” Yvaine said, hurrying to grab her shawl. When she had wrapped it around her shoulders, she moved to the door and opened it.

“Father,” Yvaine said, the surprise evident in her voice.

Evelyn took a sharp intake of breath, and her heart began thumping in her breast. Thank God she had returned to the bedchamber when she did, but what was her father doing there at their door? He had hardly spoken to them in any proper manner in nearly a year, never mind visiting them for any special reason.

He kens. He must. That is why he is here. He has discovered the truth about Benedict and I.

With astonishment, she watched as her father bent and kissed Yvaine’s cheek. By her wide-eyed expression, Yvaine was clearly surprised at their father’s spontaneous affection too.

“Come here, me dear,” the laird waved at Evelyn. “I want tae see ye.”

Pushing the covers back, Evelyn slipped from the bed, and padded across the wooden floor and into her father’s open arms. Wrapping them around her, he held her tightly into his broad chest for a long moment.

As surprised as she was, Evelyn sank into him, wrapping her arms around him, and feeling the love that emanated from him. It had been a whole year since he had embraced her so warmly, and only in that moment, did she realize how much she had missed it.

“I ken why ye were afraid tae tell me, but now I ken,” he said softly.

Och, me God, he kens.

“Ken what?” Evelyn gasped, taking a step away from him.

“About the attack yesterday, Evelyn.”

She released the breath she had been holding, and her shoulders sank. As much as she tried not to make it obvious, her father clearly noticed her relief. The only good thing was, he mistook it for something different.

“I ken ye kept it from me, Evelyn. And I understand why. But Laird Gunn told me what happened this morning just before breakfast. He is calling a meeting with the council tae discuss the next steps.”

Her father gazed down at her lovingly. “He told me how valiantly ye fought. I ken I havenae been the best faither this past year, but I am so proud o’ ye.”

“Killian and…” she stopped herself, for she nearly said Benedict, but quickly recovering, she continued. “Killian and Laird Gunn were the men who fought hard, Faither,” Evelyn replied.

Her mind whirled a little, partly due to her father’s contrast in demeanor, and partly due to the fact that Benedict had told her father what had happened. He hadn’t mentioned this morning that he was going to do it, so why had he?

Perhaps he was given nay choice.

Perhaps, but some warning might have been nice.

“It has been a difficult year since yer maither’s passing, and Laird Keith has made our lives hell,” her father continued. “I’m grateful fer what ye are doing fer our clan, Evelyn. I’m sure ye hate me fer arranging this marriage.”

“I dinnae hate ye, Faither. How could I?”

He dropped his head and heaved a sigh. “I would never have put ye through this if I could have avoided it. But we are in desperate need o’ an alliance, and a marriage tae a laird is the only way. This alliance is the only thing that will keep our clan safe. We are just nae strong enough tae fight off Clan Keith alone.”

“Ye did what ye had tae dae, Faither,” Evelyn said, his words weighing heavily upon her heart.

He nodded, looked from Evelyn to Yvaine and back again, and then said, “Well, I should leave ye tae get dressed. Perhaps ye will join me later when ye’ve had breakfast?”

The sisters nodded, and then watched their father leave the room. With a final glance and a smile at them both, he closed the door gently behind him.

Neither Evelyn nor Yvaine said a word for a whole minute after his departure. Evelyn could not know what her sister might be thinking, but she certainly knew her own thoughts. Before her father arrived, she was on the cusp of listening to Yvaine’s advice. But now…

“Naething has changed, Evelyn,” Yvaine said, as though she had read her mind.

“I ken that, which is why I have tae go through with it.”

“Evelyn,” Yvaine gasped.

Evelyn looked at her sister sadly. “Ye heard what Faither said. The alliance relies on me marrying a laird. And Benedict isnae the laird.” She could feel her throat tighten as she continued. “It is the right and proper thing tae dae, and thus, I must dae it. With all things considered, the safety o’ our clan is far more important than me happiness.”

Saying the words hit her harder than she could ever have imagined. All her hope of being with Benedict was now smashed to pieces. She would never know love in her marriage. She would be forced to spend her life with the brother of the man she wanted to be with. Benedict would be there, not a heartbeat away, but she could never have him. As her heart shattered into a thousand tiny pieces, Evelyn gasped for air, and then suddenly burst into tears.