Page 7 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

He would need to tell her goodbye, and it would be forever. He looked about the stable, wishing for something that would give him more time with her. Every second was a memory he could hold onto when he returned to his home alone.

“I know why you’re here,” she said before biting her bottom lip. It did nothing to help with the twisting feeling in his stomach.

“You do?”

“Yes. I listened at the door. You seemed so nervous I thought you must be here to share troubling news.”

He nodded and frowned. He was certainly troubled. “You should know, I would’ve asked you after speaking to him, if I’d gained your father’s permission. And had you said no, I wouldn’t have pushed the matter. It was to be your decision. I would never try to force ye into anything.”

“I know that, Liam. I remember how kind you were when you saw me home. I was a mess. Skin and bones and more skittish than a rabbit in an open field. But you were patient and calm. When I needed a friend more than ever, you didn’t push for anything more.”

He smiled at her words. Perhaps it wasn’t what he’d wanted to hear from the woman he’d hoped to marry. He might have preferred manly or striking. Maybe even courageous rather than kind. But he nodded in acceptance of her compliment because he knew, at the time, she hadn’t needed him to be any of those other manly things.

As she said, she’d needed a friend and he’d tried his best to be that.

He’d offered her a shoulder to cry on and a distraction when she’d been overwhelmed. And he would cherish the moments he’d had with her for the rest of his life.

“It’s because of your kindness that I agree to marry you,” she said nervously. She adjusted the strap of her bag while he stared at her.

It was possibly the best thing anyone had ever said to him and the most heartbreaking as well, for he knew it would never be.

“I’d like nothing more, but your father denied my request.”

She nodded. “I heard. But I also heard you a moment ago when you said it was to be my choice. And I’ve chosen. I want to marry you, Liam. Right now.”

“Do you mean elope?” he asked, slow to catch on to a plan she must have made before meeting him in the stables.

“Yes. We’ll marry in the village. The minister doesn’t know me. Then we can return to your home and Dunardry. I’m ready to go with you.” She patted the bag.

Had he thought it full? He knew it carried everything she wished to take with her for their new life and it didn’t seem near enough.

She’d packed her things and come for him. That bag, full that it was, held everything she was able to bring with her. He couldn’t allow a laird’s daughter to run off with a bastard and nothing more than a bag of her belongings. She’d surely hate him once she realized what she’d given up.

“I can’t ask you to flee your home to be with me, Ev.”

“You didn’t need to ask.” She frowned and looked up at him with her large brown eyes.

“I’d give you everything I have, but it’s not much. It’s not enough for someone like you.” He’d planned to save her dowry and use every farthing for her. But to elope meant she’d have nothing but what he could provide. She deserved so much better.

“Did you change your mind?” She bit her trembling lip and he nearly pulled her into his arms to comfort her.

“I surely didn’t change my mind.”

“Then it was only my dowry you wanted?”

“Of course not. I don’t give a damn about your dowry except to use it for you.” He frowned. “Forgive my language.” Christ, he couldn’t even act dignified. Why would she want to marry him?

“I want to marry you. If you want to marry me, why should anyone else stand in our way?” she explained simply.

She made a fair argument. Lachlan had always told him to make wise choices. It was what made the difference between a man and a leader. But he couldn’t think straight with her looking at him like that. He could only want.

And hope.

“Let’s go,” he said finally. Whether it was a good choice or not, they’d find out later.

He knew only that he couldn’t leave without her. He’d marry her and deal with whatever consequences came next.

Chapter Five