Page 102 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

“No. It took many years for Father to give up hope and accept that I was his heir. He didn’t want me.”

“That must have made you try doubly hard to impress him.”

David nodded.

“Which means you’re even more prepared than I ever would have been.”

“I would never let down my father or my clan.”

“Of course not. I understand. I’m the war chief here. I know about duty and honor.”

David nodded but didn’t look at him.

“I’m sorry things worked out the way they have. Not the bit of meeting you or my father, but the order of our birth. I’m more than a little worried of embarrassing myself in the role of heir.”

David looked at him for a moment and let out a breath. “I will help you.”

“Perhaps we could work at it together. Father seems strong and healthy. I daresay neither of us will need to worry over it for some time,” Liam said.

David agreed and held out his hand. “I apologize for my behavior. It was such a shock, and I didn’t react well.”

Liam shook his hand only to pull him into a brotherly hug. “I don’t know that there was a proper way to manage finding out you have a brother you didn’t know. You did it well enough.”

When David smiled, Liam saw more of the likeness between them.

“I’m sorry you’ve had such loss today when I have gained so much. It doesn’t seem fair.”

“Well, I did get a brother,” David said. “Better than mutton.”

Liam laughed. “Come. Let’s get back to the castle before all the food is gone.”

“Are ye already bossing me about?” David said with a grin.

“Perhaps I’m meant to be an older brother after all. I just fell into it naturally.”

They continued joking and teasing each other. When Liam and David got back to the castle, the festivities had already started. David instantly caught the attention of one of the maids.

Liam searched the hall for his family and noticed Ev and the children heading toward the stairs where the Stewart laird was entering the hall.

Ev carried Rose and held Gwennie’s hand, who was in turn holding Shea’s hand. Liam thought his heart might burst with happiness. He had everything he’d ever hoped for.

He stepped up, placing his hand on Ev’s back as she smiled at her father. “This is my son, Shea, and my daughters, Gwendolyn and Rose,” Ev said.

The laird shook his head. “I don’t know where this boy came from, and you’ve not been here long enough to birth a babe of this size.”

Liam paused, giving the man a moment to puzzle it out on his own. When he didn’t, Liam explained. “They’re not from us, but ours all the same.”

“Ah.” The laird snorted in understanding. “Bastards,” he whispered.

Without a thought, Liam pulled his dagger and grasped Hugh’s collar to pull him close. “If you speak that word in front of my children again, you’ll lose your tongue for it, father-in-law or no. Do ye understand me?”

The man glared at Liam but offered a reluctant “Yes.” He was quick to add an apology when Liam pressed the tip of his weapon against his skin.

When Liam felt he’d made his point, he released the man. He was bright enough to move out of reach and then rush away to the head table ahead of them to take a seat far from the spaces left for Liam and his family.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have bothered with him,” Ev said, clearly shaken.

“It is not for you to be sorry to want to introduce your children to your father. I hope we shall have better luck with mine.”