Page 63 of Her Reluctant Highlander Husband

“I suppose you want me to argue that it isn’t her fault?”

“Yes, I do. If you wanted to make it clear you’d not be a husband to her, you should have kept your distance.”

“I tried. But the bloody McCurdys burned down her cottage!” he defended.

“When you moved her to your room, there wasn’t any other place you might have slept?” His brows went up and Bryce was thankful for the darkness so not to see the full expression of challenge.

Bryce preferred to stay wrapped up in his denial. It was easier to claim he wasn’t at fault that way. “What do I do?”

“Let yourself love her back, and be happy.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Can’t or won’t?” Cam pushed. Aiden quieted as if he wanted to hear the answer as well.

“I can’t remember the sound of Maggie’s voice or her smell. Sometimes I can’t even recall her face. It’s even worse for Isabel. I had so little time with her. The memory was almost too short to grasp. Dorie is taking up the space where those memories had been, and I hate her for it as much as I’m relieved not to have to feel the pain so intensely. It’s not right.”

“It’s the way of things. I remember when I first moved to the castle after my mother died, and how I didn’t want to let Lach’s parents care for me because it felt like I was betraying my own parents if I cared for them. But I realized it wasn’t true. Sometimes we imagine things because of the pain we’re dealing with at the time. You’ve been in yours for so long it might take you longer to realize it’s not a betrayal to Maggie and Isabel for you to be happy with Dorie.”

Bryce was quick to shake his head. He even squeezed his eyes shut as if to block out Cam’s words.

“You’re allowed to be happy, Bryce. You’re even allowed to love again. It doesn’t mean you loved Maggie and Isabel any less while they were alive.”

Fortunately, Aiden picked that time to let loose with another scream of displeasure, so they were able to focus their attentions on the baby instead of the impossibility of Bryce ever opening himself up to that kind of pain again.

He needed to keep his walls of protection firmly in place.

Chapter Twenty-One

Dorie woke alone and hurried to meet her father in the hall. Part of her worried that the day before had been a dream and he wasn’t really there. She let out a breath of relief when she entered the hall and saw him sitting with the laird at the front table.

He was already smiling at something Lach had said, but when he noticed her, his smile grew and he stood to greet her.

“I hope you slept well,” she said as he brushed a kiss on her cheek.

“Very well, thank you.”

“Bryce is already with his men?” she asked Lachlan as she took her seat next to Kenna.

“Aye. He was in a rush to get to it this morning. He wants to get things settled before he leaves for the Campbells.”

“Is he leaving today?” she asked.

“No. He has put it off since we have a visitor.”

Another delay because of her. At this rate they would never gather the men needed to win the battle with the McCurdys. She’d not been able to help her new clan with an alliance, and now she was stalling their plans to move forward and take over Baehaven.

She felt she should apologize, but remained silent.

After the morning meal, she and her father went to visit Mari and Cam at their manor house. The couple was happy to give her father a tour.

“We stay here some nights. But lately we’ve been staying the night at the castle so the nurse can help with Aiden.”

“Ah, yes. I remember having a babe in the house,” her father said with a nod. “My youngest two are five now. Do you mind?”

Mari held Aiden out to Dorien and he took the baby as if he’d held hundreds of infants in his life.

“I can’t wait to have a grandchild,” he hinted with a smile toward Dorie.