“Do I really have a choice in the matter?” Michael asked.
Connor inclined his head, neither confirming nor denying it.
He gestured toward the door and said only, “I’ll show ye to a room.”
As they left the gallery, Connor felt the weight of hope and fear settle heavy in his chest, knowing the next two days would change them both forever.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
“Give him space, and let him come to me when he is ready,” she whispered.
Eva had been pacing her chamber, pausing every so often to stare at the door as if willing it to open. Word had reached her that Connor had returned, and that he’d brought a young man with him, which set her heart thrumming with hope and dread all at once.
When the knock finally came, she gasped softly and opened the door with trembling hands.
Connor stood on the threshold, travel-worn and pale, his eyes too bright and too tired all at once. For a breath, they only looked at one another, all the unsaid things pressing between them.
“Come in,” Eva said gently, stepping aside. He nodded and entered, the door closing behind him with a soft click.
“Are ye all right?” she asked at once, her voice thick with worry. “I was fair beside meself, Connor, nae kennin’ where ye’d gone or if ye were safe.”
He dragged a hand through his hair and said, “I am, and I’m sorry, Eva, truly.” He met her gaze and added, “I shouldnae have spoken so coldly to ye at the stables.”
She swallowed and shook her head. “It’s all right,” she said quietly. “Yer grandmaither told me about Michael, about why ye left so sudden.”
Her eyes searched his face as she asked, “Did ye find him then?”
Connor exhaled and replied, “Aye, I found him, and I brought him back here, but he doesnae believe he’s me brother.”
Eva’s hand flew to her mouth. “He doesnae believe ye?” she asked, stunned. “After all this, after ye risked so much?”
Connor gave a bitter huff and said, “Would ye, if ye were him?” He looked away and murmured, “If I were told me life was a lie, I’d fight it too.”
“If he doesnae believe ye then how did ye get him to stay?” she asked.
“Nae easily, for I made it hard for him to make any other choice than to come here with me,” Connor said.
She hesitated, then asked softly, “Connor… is Michael a captive?” The question hurt her to ask, but she needed the truth.
“Nay, never that.” His voice roughened as he added, “He can leave when he wants, but I ken I spoke too harsh, too forceful, tryin’ to make him see sense. Nay one would stop him if he tried to leave, his door is nae locked.”
Eva crossed the room and took his hand, her thumb brushing over his knuckles.
“Ye’re carryin’ a great weight,” she said gently. “Findin’ yer brother alive, only to have him doubt ye, that would shake any man.”
Connor’s shoulders sagged as he admitted, “I daenae ken how else to do it, Eva, and now I fear I’ve already failed him.”
She squeezed his hand. “Ye havenae failed,” she said firmly. “Truth takes time, and hearts daenae bend just because we ask them to.” She gave him a small, sad smile and added, “He’s here, Connor, and that alone is a miracle.”
He looked at her then, really looked, and some of the tension eased from his face.
“I was afraid ye’d think less of me,” he confessed quietly. “Afraid ye’d see me as cruel, like me faither.”
Eva shook her head and said, “I ken the man ye are.” Her voice softened as she added, “And I ken ye’d walk through fire for those ye love.”
Connor stepped closer, resting his forehead briefly against hers. “I daenae deserve ye,” he murmured.
She laughed softly and replied, “That’s nae for ye to decide.”
