Page 55 of The Highlander’s Kilted Affair

He then spent some time going into the full details of what had happened after the Sinclair’s had arrived, and how he had wanted to talk to Audor about it.

“But then, ye had tae leave so urgently, I didnae get the chance tae speak tae ye. Perhaps, had ye nae gone away, things might have been different,” Benedict said.

But Audor shook his head. “I dinnae think that’s true, braither. Sure, ye were besotted with Lady Sinclair even ‘afore she arrived. Dinnae ye remember how desperate ye were tae find the mystery woman from the library?”

Benedict shrugged. “Aye, maybe ye’re right.”

He then continued the story. He confessed their first kiss, and how, afterwards, he had spoken to Killian about what he ought to do. He had tried to stay away from her, but his heart had not let him.

“I am ashamed tae say that I battled through the guilt o’ betraying ye, braither.”

“A woman will dae that tae a man,” Audor said wisely.

“It doesnae makе it right,” Benedict said heavily.

He felt his face redden when he got to the part of them making love, although he rushed through it. Clearly, Audor found his brother’s embarrassment amusing, which hardly helped.

“I have just spent some time with Evelyn in the garden. She is determined that she has tae marry ye. I argued the fact that I couldnae lose her.” Benedict looked Audor directly in the eyes. “And I cannae, Audor,” he said passionately. “I’ve never felt this way about another lass, and I ken I’ll never feel it again. I have tae have her in me life. I simply cannae live without her.”

Audor looked at Benedict for a long moment. “Then it will be,” he said simply.

For a second, Benedict was stunned at his brother’s blasé reply. “But what about the alliance? What about our agreement tae stand by the Sinclair clan?”

Audor nodded and rubbed his chin. “I will speak tae the council. It willnae take too much tae convince them tae agree tae the alliance without the marriage.”

“Ye think they’ll agree tae it?” Benedict said excitedly.

“Ye forget, braither.” Audor smirked. “It is I who make the decisions around here.”

Audor placed his glass on a nearby table and pushed himself up from the chair. Taking a step forward, he opened his arms wide. “Let me be the first tae congratulate ye on yer upcoming wedding.” He beamed.

Benedict stood and the brother’s hugged tightly.

When he had left Evelyn in the corridor earlier, he had only distantly hoped that this would have been the result of his talk with Audor, and yet, as he felt his brother’s warm embrace, feeling his support and intense backing, he could not have been happier.

Things were going to work out. He would marry the woman of his dreams, and the alliance would still be agreed. Now, he could hardly wait to tell Evelyn.