Page 8 of The Highlander’s Kilted Affair

CHAPTER THREE

As the carriage entered the gates of Gunn Castle, Evelyn’s mouth dropped open. Three weeks had passed since the Mackay wedding, and even knowing she was to marry, she had not stopped thinking of that tender kiss in the library.

Her Viking man had been on her mind for weeks, distracting her so much, even Yvaine had noticed. When her sister had asked her if something was wrong, Evelyn had dismissed Yvaine’s concerns, telling her she was distracted with her upcoming wedding. The truth of the matter was, she had been reliving the experience, pining over what she could not possibly have, and yet, unable to stop herself.

Now, however, as she was helped down from the vehicle, she struggled not to gawp at the two identical men standing before her. Two identical men who looked exactly like her Viking man. But which one was it? Which one had stolen her heart in the small amount of time they had spent together?

While her father and the men conversed up ahead, the entire party made their way into the castle. Evelyn’s heart thumped in her breast. What was she supposed to do? Surely, whichever one of them it was, would give her some inclination that he recognized her, wouldn’t he?

They were led into a large drawing room, where the brothers, for clearly they were twins, and another man, welcomed them warmly.

“Me laird, we are so pleased ye have arrived safely,” one of the twins said.

“Thank ye, Laird Gunn,” her father replied. “It was, indeed, a long journey, but we are glad we made it in good time. May I please present tae ye, me daughter, Lady Evelyn Sinclair.” Her father gestured toward her. “Yer betrothed and future wife.”

Laird Gunn took a step toward her. “Good day tae ye, Lady Sinclair.”

Those piercing green eyes gazed at hers, but there seemed to be no recognition at all. It was worrisome to say the least. Still reeling from shock, and seemingly too frozen to speak, Evelyn remained silent, struggling to form a sentence. A few seconds passed, and then, a sharp dig in the back of her leg made her jump. Yvaine, who stood a little behind her, had clearly given her a swift kick to nudge her out of her stupor.

“Good day tae ye, me laird,” Evelyn blurted.

Her father, who stood a little to the side and now behind Laird Gunn, after his approach toward her, scowled in her direction. Clearly, he was not pleased with how she was behaving at this first meeting. She had made it clear, one way or another, that she didn’t really want to marry Laird Gunn, and no doubt, Laird Sinclair likely imagined her behavior was some sort of protest.

“Let me please introduce ye tae the others,” Laird Gunn continued, seemingly not fazed at her lack of reaction. “This is me braither, Benedict. As ye can see,” the laird smiled kindly, “we are twins.” Benedict smiled and nodded toward her. His green eyes met hers, but still, not a flicker of recognition. “And here, we have our cousin, Killian Gunn. He is me advisor and most fearsome warrior.”

Killian nodded to Evelyn, and with a weak smile, Evelyn nodded back. “A pleasure tae make yer acquaintance.”

She looked from the laird to his brother and back again, but neither of them gave any inclination that they knew who she was. But she was not a fool. One of them had kissed her in the Mackay’s library. It was an experience she was not likely to ever forget, nor was the striking man’s face. The problem now remained. Had she kissed her betrothed, or had she kissed his brother?

This could only happen tae me, fer God’s sake.

“I am certain ye are all exhausted, and could dae with some rest before supper,” Laird Gunn continued. “I will have ye shown tae yer bedchambers where ye can settle in.”

Not long after that, Killian took their father to his bedchamber, and Evelyn and Yvaine were shown to their room by a kindly maid.

“I will have some tea and bread sent up tae ye, me ladies,” the maid said, before she closed the door and left the sisters alone.

“What the devil has gotten intae ye?” Yvaine blurted, the second the maid was gone. “Ye just stood there when the laird was speaking tae ye. Faither wasnae pleased.”

Evelyn moved over to the huge bed and dropped herself onto the furs that lay upon it. Getting married was going to be a difficult enough. For the entire journey from her father’s castle to her new home, her stomach had been twisting in knots at the prospect of meeting a husband she was destined to spend the rest of her life with. Her stomach was still in knots, but now, it was for an entirely different reason.

Yvaine dropped herself down beside her sister and took her hand. “Maybe it’ll nae be as bad as ye think. He seems like a nice enough man. Besides,” Yvaine grinned, “he’s so handsome. I really ought tae be jealous.”

“It’s nae the wedding,” Evelyn murmured, her mind still racing with her dilemma.

“Then what is it?” Yvaine frowned.

Evelyn turned and looked at her sister. “Dae ye remember when we went tae the Mackay’s wedding, and ye were swept onto the dance floor?”

“Aye.” Yvaine nodded.

“Well, a man came up to me when I was stood in the corner. He was an arrogant, leering rake.”

“Oh, God, Evelyn. What happened?” Yvaine looked panicked. Clearly, her mind went immediately to the worst thing that could have occurred.

“I was fine, Yvaine. It wasnae like that. The reason naething happened is that another man came along and saved me. I was so embarrassed, I ran to the library. He found me there, and wanted to see if I was all right. We ended up…” Evelyn hesitated.

“What? Ye ended up what?” Yvaine pressed, desperate to know.