Page 53 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

“Congratulations, chief,” another said. “She looks well loved.”

Evelyn’s cheeks heated and she was glad for the dim light as Liam ignored them and proceeded toward the kitchen.

Inside, he went about searching, making it clear this wasn’t the first time he’d done so when no one was around. Lifting a linen, he made a happy sound and held out a meat pie.

It was the best thing she’d ever eaten. Or perhaps it seemed so because it was seasoned with her hunger. He handed over a mug of ale and she drank deeply before handing it back to continue her attack on the pastry. She noticed Liam was finishing his second one and reaching for a third. She couldn’t help but laugh.

“What’s so funny?” he said with a big smile. “This is your fault. Ye made me ravenous with all the loving ye demanded from me.”

She knew he was teasing her but couldn’t help feign insult. “And why would you be weary from today’s activities when it was I who did the work?”

“Minx,” he growled and leaned down to kiss her with a few crumbs on his lips. “I could almost have you work me over again, but I fear I’ll not be able to carry myself to bed when you’re done with me.”

“Best then to wait until we’re in our room,” she teased. “We wouldn’t want the maids to find us in the morning.”

He nipped her lip gently with his teeth. “Then let’s be on our way.”

Grabbing two more meat pies and a jug of ale, he followed her out of the kitchen. She didn’t even mind the comments as they made their way through the hall again. All that mattered was getting upstairs with Liam. They paused at the solar, which served as a nursery at night, and she smiled when she spotted Gwennie sleeping next to wee Cameron.

“She’s safe for the night,” Liam whispered next to her. “But you’re not.” With that he swept her off her feet and carried her off to their room. She managed to hold in her laughter until they were behind the thick door to their chamber.

Even then her giggles were cut off by his lips on hers. “I can’t get enough of you, Ev. Tomorrow I’ll see you armed with a sharp stick to keep me away.”

“I have no wish to keep you away, so it’d be a waste of your time searching for a stick when your time could be used in better ways.”

She couldn’t believe how easy it was to tease him, the wanton words encouraged by a wide grin from her husband.

“If you change your mind, you’ll let me know.” It wasn’t a question, but she heard the concern in his voice. He’d thought her fragile for what had happened to her. And for a long time, she thought it, too.

But being with Liam in this way made her feel powerful. She’d faced down her demons. She’d known the men who’d hurt her were long dead, but their memory had haunted her for so long. She’d never thought to have this with a man. Any time she considered such a thing those old ghosts would come back to steal away her joy.

She was finally free. As Liam touched her, she thought perhaps they were vanquished once and for all.

When morning came a few hours later, Evelyn rose to get Gwennie. When they returned to their chamber, Liam had woken and was securing his kilt. As was their normal routine, Gwennie ran to him, holding up her bunnies so he could make them bounce on her shoulders and head while telling some outlandish story. The adventures these wooden rabbits had to tell boggled Evelyn’s mind. Liam was quite the creative storyteller.

But this morning, Liam didn’t scoop Gwennie into his arms and tickle her until she giggled. He didn’t hold her upside down, stealing Evelyn’s breath. In fact, he didn’t really even look at the little girl who hopped around at his legs.

“I must be off. Mama will tell you the story this morning,” he said, his brows pulled together. Evelyn didn’t think he was angry, but he wasn’t his usual cheerful self. He placed a kiss on his fingers and touched them to Gwennie’s head before going to the door.

That was not their normal farewell. Generally, he gave Gwennie a big smacking kiss on the cheek and then made her laugh by tickling her with his morning growth of whiskers.

Evelyn saw the disappointment in Gwennie’s eyes as she watched Liam leave.

“I’ll see you both at the noon meal.” And he was gone.

After getting Gwennie ready for the day, they went down to break their fast. Mari and Kenna waved Evelyn over with big smiles.

“You were not back in the castle before it was time to put Gwendolyn to bed,” Mari said, though, being a lady, she wouldn’t come straight out and ask.

Her younger sister had no such issues. “He’s put a flush in your cheeks. Did you have a pleasant time?” Kenna waited expectantly while Mari rolled her eyes.

“You must be careful, sister. You’ll scare off another of our dear friends.”

Kenna gave Mari a light smack on the shoulder. “It wasn’t me.”

They all laughed. Ev knew they spoke of Dorie MacKinlay, who was raised with the McCurdy clan though she wasn’t one. Her husband was made laird and they ruled Baehaven. The sisters missed their friend and mentioned her often.

“We had a fine day,” Evelyn answered, thinking that would be the end of the questions. She’d been wrong about that. Kenna teased details out of Evelyn she’d had no intention of sharing.