Page 57 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

She released her grasp to focus on folding and unfolding a section of her dress. The silence went on for a few more breaths before she finally looked up at him briefly.

“I ruined things with you and Gwennie with my ridiculous accusation. You’re so good with her, and I made you wary of loving her and being a father to her. I regretted it immediately. And instead of talking with you about it like I should have, I concocted a story to force you into holding Gwennie again. I did it in the hope you would go back to caring for her the way you had before I spoiled things.”

“I see.” He thought over the situation. “I thought you’d be more comfortable if I kept my distance from her, then you could be certain I wasn’t a danger to her. Perhaps I should have spoken to you of my thoughts as well.”

“I know you’re not a danger to her or any other child. I know it with all my heart. I should have encouraged your relationship, for it’s a rare blessing to have a man like you. One who would treat my daughter as if she were his own blood.”

He laughed. “I would be the worst kind of hypocrite to not accept her when I don’t know whose blood runs in my body. When I married you, Gwennie became my daughter.”

“Some might think your responsibility ends with protecting and seeing her basic needs met.”

“Perhaps. But I see her as the oldest of my children. And I hope to bless her with many younger siblings.” He smiled at her startled expression. “That is yet another thing we should have discussed.”

He leaned close and kissed her, his fingers lacing with hers as he tugged her against him. They fell back on the bed laughing and kissing.

“I must tell you something else,” she said, and he pulled back to look in her face.

“What’s that?”

“I might have continued with the farce of the broken arm if not for the fact you refused to bed me.” She laughed again, but he didn’t.

Liam’s blood heated. His wife wanted him. And not just when he kissed her and worked her into lust. Something he was happy to do anyway. But she’d wanted him in her bed.

“You should be rewarded for your honesty,” he said with a wicked smile as he reached for the hem of her skirt.

“You may want to rethink that, husband. For I may make up stories relentlessly only so I might confess and earn such glorious rewards.”

He loved seeing her playful and smiling. “I wouldn’t mind overmuch.” He unbuckled the belt holding his kilt. “Now. Let us see about adding to our family.”

…

Over the next few weeks, Evelyn settled nicely into her new life.

Her husband was kind and generous. Her daughter was happy. They had a wonderful home and she had friends. It was easy to hope they could continue into old age in this way, but Evelyn knew a threat remained.

While she hadn’t heard back, she knew her father wasn’t one to give up so easily. Had it been only his anger at her defiance, he might have gotten over it. But she was to be payment for enough cattle to keep her people for many years. He would not let her go so easily.

“What are you thinking of?” Liam asked as he took his seat on the plaid he’d stretched out by the stream.

He’d brought her and Gwennie to one of his favorite places. Gwennie had spent most of the afternoon searching the stream for a rabbit on a leaf but was now sleeping next to Evelyn.

“Nothing.” She brushed it off, not wanting to put a voice to her fears.

“You’re safe here,” he said, not needing her to tell him what had her worried. She didn’t know how he did it.

Liam still didn’t know she’d been promised to the Morgan heir. She should tell him now, so he and Lachlan could decide what was to be done. But she couldn’t make herself do it.

“Liam…” She opened her mouth to tell him the truth, but the words wouldn’t come out. If she had only a short time in this life, she wanted to stay for as long as she was able. Still, she needed to warn him.

“What if my father doesn’t give up? What if he comes for me again? Because he likely will.”

He sat up and touched her chin. “I’ll take care of you.”

She couldn’t help but smile at his sincerity.

“I’m sure you would, but if he sent an army?”

He shook his head. “I doubt it would come to that. To me, you’re priceless, but to your bastard of a father, I don’t think he’ll waste many men to have ye back.”