Page 57 of The Highlander’s Kilted Affair

Yvaine guided Evelyn to a chair and then discovered the book she had been reading earlier.

“I will read tae ye. If naething else, it will pass the time.”

“I’ll hardly be able tae concentrate on it,” Evelyn sighed.

“Ye dinnae need tae concentrate. Just sit there, gaze out o’ the window, and let the words wash over ye.”

Evelyn smiled at her sister, and once Yvaine settled down, she began to read. Evelyn did as she was told, and gazing out of the window, thought of how lucky she was to have Yvaine in her life. She had done nothing but take her side in all of this, no matter how much Evelyn had crossed a line. And now, she was doing her best to keep her occupied, or to save her from going quite mad. Or both.

It was an hour and a half later when a faint knock on the door halted her.

“Just a moment,” Yvaine said, jumping from her seat and hurrying to the door.

“Ah, ‘tis ye,” she said, opening the door wider.

Evelyn watched as Benedict strolled into the room, his eyes scanning it before they finally fell upon her as she sat by the window. She gazed at him for a second, and he gazed back, and then, he beamed a huge smile.

“Me braither will allow us tae marry,” Benedict declared. “He is talking tae the council this very minute about the alliance still going ahead.”

“Och, Benedict,” Evelyn cried, rushing across the room toward him. She ran into his arms, and felt them wrapping around her in a strong embrace. Pressing her face into his chest, she felt his love soaking into her as relief washed through every part of her being.

Eventually, she pushed herself away from him. “I can hardly believe it,” she gasped, gazing up into his eyes.

“Ye cannae ken how happy I am. Truly. It was probably the most terrifying thing I have ever had tae dae, but Audor hardly seemed tae care.” Benedict smiled. “He wants me tae be happy. He wants us tae be happy.”

Reaching up to him, she kissed him with all the delight her heart held. Feeling his soft lips against hers just seemed to seal everything they had believed in, fought for, and desired. Her wishes were to come true after all. She would marry Benedict, and she would have him by her side for the rest of her days.

A cough from her left reminded Evelyn that Yvaine was still in the room, and, laughing and feeling a little embarrassed, she pulled herself away.

When she turned to look at Yvaine, her sister was beaming with delight too. Evelyn ran to her and hugged her tightly. “Thank ye, Yvaine. Thank ye fer supporting me and being me closest friend as well as me sister.”

“I’ve only ever wanted ye tae be happy, Evelyn,” Yvaine sighed. Looking from Evelyn to Benedict and back again, she continued. “And truly, ye two make the most wonderful couple.”

“Now, we must speak tae yer faither,” Benedict said, holding his hand out to her.

A pang of fear rippled through her, but Evelyn grabbed Benedict’s hand and held it tightly. With this wonderful man by her side, she was capable of anything. Besides, if Audor had said the alliance would remain in place, surely, her father could not disagree to their union, could he?

They found Donald in the library.

Benedict still had hold of Evelyn’s hand when they entered, and when Donald looked up from the book he was reading, he smiled.

“Ah, me laird. Evelyn. This is an unexpected pleasure.”

“Actually, me laird. I am Benedict.”

Donald’s eyebrows flew to the top of his head, and looking from Evelyn to Benedict, he floundered. “But… why are ye with…? What is going on here?”

“I am in love with yer daughter, me laird,” Benedict began. “And if ye will give me a chance, I will explain how we have come tae this point.”

Still completely astonished, and looking more than wary, Donald gestured for them both to be seated. Once the three were settled again, Evelyn sat nervously beside Benedict as he professed his love for her. He began by telling her father how their love had come about, though he didn’t speak of their first meeting in the library, which Evelyn was grateful for.

He did, however, have to confess that it had been he, not Audor who had been present in the castle for the whole time, but for reasons he could not disclose, he could not tell him why Audor had been away.

“The conclusion, me laird, is this. I love Evelyn with every part o’ my being. I love her and she loves me. I want tae marry her, which is why we came tae see ye. I am here tae ask yer permission fer yer daughter’s hand in marriage.”

Donald had listened carefully to every word, and Evelyn had watched his expression change from confusion, to interest, and eventually, to understanding. Gone was the frown, and now, he gazed at her with a soft smile.

“Faither, I am so sorry, I didnae want things tae go this way. I ken how important the alliance is–“