Page 90 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

…

Liam felt empty as he went back to the solar to tell the laird of Evelyn’s decision. Cameron was still there so Liam would be spared from having to tell it more than once.

He wasn’t certain he’d manage the one time.

They looked up at him when he stepped closer.

“What’s wrong? Your skin’s near the same color as your hair,” Cam said with wide eyes.

Liam’s vision fluttered at the edges in the way it did when he’d taken a particularly sharp blow to the head and was about to lose consciousness. He almost hoped he’d be lost to the darkness for a bit.

He knew from past experience when he left this realm there was no pain until he returned.

And one thing he knew, he would need to return. He had three children to care for. Three small people who weren’t going to understand why their mother chose to leave them.

Since he didn’t understand himself, he’d never be able to explain it.

“Evelyn has decided to go peaceably. She wishes to take the annulment and marry the Morgan heir as the Stewart laird has commanded.” He swallowed past the lump in his throat. He’d already gone to tears in front of them once today.

“You can’t be serious.”

“She said it is her duty. Being a laird’s daughter, she knew it might come to this. Now that she found a home for Gwennie, she’ll go in peace and take her place as wife to the Morgan heir.”

“Don’t you see what this is?” Cam said with a harsh laugh. “She’s doing the same thing Mari did. These bloody women think they need to protect us.” He threw his hands in the air and rolled his eyes.

“She wasn’t interested in running so we could stay together. She didn’t even consider it.”

“Mari didn’t consider it, either. Running is no way to raise children. They’re not wrong on that.”

“What do I do? I made her a promise I’d never force her into anything. How do I break that promise? How do I make her stay when she’s determined to go?” It was almost too much to hope they had an answer. She’d seemed so clear in her choice.

“You do nothing,” Lach said as he walked to the window to look out over the rolling hills.

Liam opened his mouth to protest, but Cam was nodding in agreement. “Let her think we have conceded. We’ll still have Bryce and his men join us. We’ll say it’s in case they decide to raid us while they’re here.”

Lach nodded. “It would be a prime opportunity when the two clans were here to stand against just us. In the meantime, allow her to think we’re going along with her plan. Eventually, she’ll realize it’s not feasible and allow us to do what we’re meant to do. Protect our families.”

Liam didn’t see the harm in preparing; he could only hope they were right, and that Ev would eventually change her mind and decide to stay with him.

Now he would need to win her heart and make her see the only choice was to stay with him.

Chapter Thirty-One

All conversation stopped when Evelyn took her seat at the table next to Liam for the evening meal. Mari sat next to her and reached over to pat her leg. That small kindness almost broke Evelyn into tears again, but she bit her bottom lip to make it stop trembling and went about her meal.

Rose climbed into her lap and patted her face. “Mum, mum, mum,” the baby babbled, and Evelyn pressed a kiss to her hair, breathing in her scent. As was normal, the lass squiggled back over to Liam, and he bounced her on his knee and held out a bit of food for her. He’d already seen to cutting Gwennie’s food so she could manage it on her own. Shea’s food was long gone and he was waiting for another helping.

Without a word spoken they’d shown her the little things that make up being part of a family. A family that would go on without her.

“Mama, look what Papa made.” Gwennie reached across Liam to hold out a piece of wood.

Evelyn took it expecting it to be a rabbit, but it wasn’t. “A seal.” She smiled as she turned it about. She let her thumb glide over the smooth flipper. “You did it,” she said to Liam.

He said nothing back. Just allowed a sharp nod.

“You’ll be fine,” she whispered, desperate for him to understand.

His glare stole her breath. The icy blue of his eyes had never seemed cold until that moment. “I will never be fine.” With that, he placed Rose in her lap and left the table.