Page 67 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

Could this be what real love felt like? It wasn’t as overwhelming as he’d expected. Instead, it was calming and right, in a way nothing else in his life had ever been.

He wouldn’t push for words. Not when he could savor it silently in her smile.

Chapter Twenty-Four

As Liam said, it was late when they arrived at Baehaven Castle. Gwennie was asleep and Evelyn hoped she could join her as soon as possible. It had been a long day of travel.

She let out a breath, irritated with her cowardice. The true reason she wanted to rush off to the nearest room wasn’t solely due to exhaustion, but to put off greeting the laird and his lady.

She’d probably met the laird during her brief stay at Dunardry, but she couldn’t remember him. According to Liam, he’d not been married then. Kenna and Mari spoke of Dorie often and had both sent letters and gifts to be delivered. If Kenna and Mari liked this woman, she must be nice, but still she worried.

Meeting new people who already knew Liam meant having to explain Gwennie. Evelyn would never allow anyone to shame her daughter. She wasn’t to blame for how she came to be.

Evelyn stood close to Liam, knowing he wouldn’t stand for anyone hurting Gwennie, especially after he’d expressed such strong feelings about the use of “step” to describe her as his daughter.

A tall woman with black hair came to greet them with a big smile. “Liam! It’s been so long. I heard you were wed. This must be your bride.”

“Aye. This is Evelyn and you’ll have to wait to meet our daughter Gwennie in the morning.” He nodded to the girl sleeping in his arms.

Evelyn braced for a question or a look. It’d be better to face it now while Gwennie slept than when she might overhear a cruel word spoken.

But the woman didn’t even bat an eye when she placed a hand on Gwennie’s head and whispered to Evelyn, “I’m Dorie. I’m so happy to welcome you to our home.”

“Thank you. It’s wonderful to meet you.”

She waved a hand. “We’ll meet properly in the morning. Tonight, we’ll get you a bite to eat and see you straight to your rooms so you can rest.”

In the hall, she summoned a maid and instructed her to gather a tray and bring it to the south wing. Then she led them up the stairs to their room.

“Did you want a pallet made up for the little one?” Dorie asked.

“Nay. She can sleep with us tonight,” Liam said before Evelyn had a chance to respond. She wouldn’t want Gwennie to wake up alone in a strange room. Liam turned to her. “I wouldn’t want her to be frightened when she woke up.”

It may have been the exhaustion, but her throat grew tight with emotions. She’d known the worst of what a man was capable of. Perhaps with her punishment paid, she was now worthy to spend the rest of her life with the kindest man there ever was.

“I always knew you’d be a great father,” Dorie said while she patted Liam’s shoulder. “I saw how you played with the little ones after the battle here. Do ye still carve little rabbits?”

Evelyn laughed. “Nearly every day.”

“Have ye not figured out how to carve something else yet?” Bryce asked as he joined them. “Sorry I wasn’t there when you arrived. I lost a wager with my dear wife and was tasked with getting our little devil to sleep.”

“As you can see, I’ve already mastered such a skill.” Liam waved at Gwennie asleep in the middle of the bed. “She’s an angel, though, so she makes it easy.”

“You’re a lucky man.” Bryce said and turned to Evelyn. “Ye look well. Much better than when I saw you last.”

“Yes. Much better, indeed,” she said. Even seeing the man now, she didn’t recall him from her time at Dunardry. She’d been so numb it seemed like a dream.

“Well, it’s late. We’ll see you in the morning. Don’t rush. Take your rest if you can,” Dorie said as she and Bryce moved toward the door. With a wave from them, they were gone.

“I’m happy to see them, but I can’t say how relieved I am they didn’t want to visit any longer tonight. I may have fallen asleep, and you’d have had to carry me to bed,” Liam said.

She laughed and held out a slice of cold meat. “I would have left you to sleep in the hall. Like you did when you were a lad.”

“I’m afraid I’ve grown too soft for sleeping on a bench. Not when there’s a warm woman and a comfortable bed.” He kissed her and let out a breath. “And a wee mite who kicks in her sleep.”

Evelyn laughed.

“What do you think she dreams of with so much kicking?” he asked.