Page 94 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

“I’m sorry for that. Sometimes I still think it may have been easier if I’d never married you, but I can’t regret it when I think of how happy I’ve been the last months. I’ll forever be thankful for the time we had. The family we made.”

He nodded again, unable to speak.

She cleared her throat and with that strength that continued to surprise him, she went on with her instructions. “Shea may be the most difficult. He will feel betrayed, since I told him I wanted to be his mother and now I won’t be. He won’t want to cry, and he’ll hold in his anger.”

Liam thought he was likely to do the same thing.

“You must make him talk of it and get it out, so it doesn’t fester and destroy him.”

“Aye.” Another reluctant agreement. She was killing him with each word. With each plan she made for a future without her.

Once again, he found himself wondering what he must have done to deserve yet another punishment. He didn’t know how much more he could take.

“I know I might sound cold, as if this doesn’t bother me much, but it’s not true. I’ll have time to grieve once I’m away from here. I’ll not waste a single moment for it now.”

He let out a breath and pulled her close. He knew he’d never change her mind. He also knew if their roles were reversed, he’d insist on doing the same thing she was preparing to do.

…

When Evelyn entered the solar the next morning, she noticed a few extra people. Dorie and wee Dorien were visiting. They stopped speaking when she entered and offered strained smiles.

“Did everything work out as you wished?” Mari asked as Evelyn sat next to her.

“It seems a waste of a wish to want a single night with my husband. Wishes should be used for far grander things like a way out of this blasted nightmare.”

Mari patted her hand. “Don’t lose hope. Things may still work out. I’m sitting here as proof of it.”

Evelyn offered a smile and turned to Dorie. “It’s so nice of you to come for a visit.”

The women exchanged glances and Evelyn realized her mistake. “You were accompanied by an army?” she guessed.

“Yes. Bryce said the plan was not to engage, but to defend if the Morgans or Stewarts decided to leave with more than what they came for.”

Evelyn nodded. She knew that was the plan. She didn’t want the castle to be at risk of being overthrown, but she couldn’t help but think the lairds and her husband were planning some grand battle to save her.

Her faith was in Liam. He’d promised. He’d not go back on it. He was a man of honor. No matter what he might want, he would put her first.

“There’s still a chance,” Dorie repeated Mari’s words. “After all, I had moved to England with my father, and Bryce had signed an annulment, yet we are still wed and happy.”

Evelyn lifted her chin and swallowed. “I’ll place all my remaining wishes on my miracle then.”

The women leaned in and piled their hands on top of one another in a show of strength.

Evelyn hugged her children and laughed with them. She slept in her husband’s arms pretending she would have the chance to do so all the rest of her years. But she was granted only two more nights to continue the dream.

Reality came by messenger on the third day.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Liam knew before he answered the door the knock brought bad news. He was right. The messenger whispered the information and hurried away. Liam didn’t need to tell Ev what word he brought. They simply exchanged a look.

She gave a stern nod and turned to the children.

“Let’s get you all dressed,” she said as she did any other day. For herself she put on her best dress and planted a shaky smile on her lips.

In the corridor, the women were gathered at the solar. “We thought perhaps it’d be better to break our fast in private this morning.”

Ev looked at him and he saw a tremble in her lip. “I can’t eat a thing,” she whispered to him. “I’m afraid I’ll be sick.”