Page 61 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

“Very well. We’ll get one of the warriors to guard us. I will say, usually I make plans to avoid their watch rather than request it. They may fall over in shock.”

They laughed as they approached the warriors. Liam was leading them through their drills, and she took a moment to appreciate the sight of him with a sword in his hand and the morning sun glinting in his white hair. He was lovely, like an avenging angel.

Except when he gave her that naughty boy grin as he was doing just then.

“Get yourselves a drink,” he ordered his men and came over to her. He bowed to them both. “What an honor to have such lovely ladies witness our efforts this fine day.”

Kenna shook her head, unaffected by his charms. Evelyn, however, was very affected. She’d nearly forgotten why they’d stopped.

“We’re in need of an escort. We want to go to Mari and Cam’s house, and you asked me not to leave the castle without protection.”

“And she obeyed,” Kenna put in, though Evelyn thought that was clear enough.

“Thank you for that. I will see you there myself. Shall we go?”

“I don’t mean to pull ye from your duty.”

“If my men aren’t able to come back and run through the drills themselves until I return, I have little faith in them being able to carry out any of my more challenging orders.” He winked. “Besides, I’ll not give one of my men such an honor, not when I might enjoy it myself.”

He came to stand between them and offered each of them an arm. He was smiling easily enough until they left the castle walls, then he stepped forward and drew his weapon. Every bit the protective warrior from his head to his toes. He took the duty very seriously.

When they reached Cam and Mari’s home he knocked. Cam opened the door looking worn and ragged.

“What is it?” Kenna barged in. “Her note said she wasn’t well.”

“Aye. She’s not well. She’s not been able to keep her morning meal down.”

Despite the large man’s grim appearance, his mouth tugged up on one side and Kenna gasped in surprise.

“Truly?”

“Aye.”

“Congratulations,” Liam said offering the man a hearty shake. Evelyn saw the men exchange a knowing glance. It was then Evelyn understood what was causing Mari’s illness. She was with child.

A quick stab of jealousy twisted in Evelyn’s stomach for a moment before it relaxed. She might even now be carrying Liam’s child. It was too early to know, but there was no reason why it couldn’t have happened already. And what if she was when her father came? Her worry seemed to double with that thought.

She followed Kenna upstairs to find the dowager duchess caring for Mari with a cool cloth.

“I’m so happy for ye,” Kenna exclaimed, taking the rag and wringing it out.

“I don’t remember being this sick with Lizzy or Aiden,” Mari said, looking a bit green.

The dowager shook her head. “I remember it well. When you arrived at the town house you were ill for weeks. I thought you’d brought the plague upon us for how you groaned.”

“Thank you, Mother.” Mari didn’t look all that thankful for the reminder. And Evelyn knew well enough the dowager was not her mother, but the mother of Mari’s former husband. The man Mari had killed.

“What can I do?” Kenna asked.

“You can keep that beast of a husband away from her after this one is born,” the dowager snapped.

Kenna and Mari laughed.

“I’m certain this isn’t all Cam’s fault,” Kenna said.

“I’m just glad to be in the opposite wing so I’m not scandalized with what goes on from their side.”

“Should we take the children up to the castle with us?” Evelyn asked.