Page 8 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

Not even a half an hour later, Liam found himself in front of a minister holding hands with his bride. She smiled up at him, and he was most certainly smiling back. He’d never been happier in his life.

True, it would’ve been better if the marriage had been approved by her father, but she’d approved of him herself, and she was the one who would live with him, so he tried to put his other worries aside.

He could only hope they’d be able to get off the Stewart lands and have the marriage consummated before they were found and forced into an annulment.

She looked him in the eyes when she spoke her vows, and he felt her words settle deep in his heart. When he spoke his response, he was just as sure.

“Those whom God has joined together, let no man separate.” The minister spoke the final passage and Liam could hardly breathe. They’d done it. He was married to Evelyn Stewart.

“We’re married now,” she said quietly when the minister walked away after being paid.

“Aye. Are you sure you don’t want to let your father know you’re leaving?”

“My maid will hide the fact I’m gone for a day or two. I’ll send a note to my father once we get to your lands. It’ll be easier that way.”

Liam had faced down formidable warriors and didn’t like thinking himself a coward, but in this situation, he didn’t mind leaving the telling of her father to a letter. The man wouldn’t be pleased to find Liam had disobeyed him.

At the moment, with his bride’s hand in his, Liam couldn’t care about the man’s displeasure. Liam was much too happy to spare a thought for Hugh Stewart.

“I need to stop in the village before we leave,” Evelyn said as she led him toward the stable. “We’ll get the horses first.”

It turned out the white mare who’d been flirting with him was Evelyn’s own horse. Liam hadn’t minded the idea of having her ride with him so not to be accused of horse theft, but she insisted on bringing her own mount.

What was one more sin added to the list he’d already committed today?

He followed behind Evelyn as she maneuvered around the cottages. She stopped at one and dismounted.

“Wait here. I’ll be just a minute.” She looked back at him with a wave before entering.

Liam waited, allowing her to have her goodbyes with whoever resided inside. The villagers looked him over as they passed, and he hoped Evelyn wouldn’t be long.

The fewer people who witnessed them together, the more time they might have to make their escape. They’d need to ride hard to put as much distance as possible between them and the Stewarts.

When the door opened and his wife stepped out, he was amazed once again that this beautiful creature had agreed to wed him.

She stepped away from the door and moved toward the horse. It wasn’t until she was next to him where he waited to help her mount her horse that he noticed the child clinging to her skirts.

A little girl, not four years old, with dark hair and darker eyes. “Up you go, love,” Evelyn said as she took the child by the waist and hefted her up into the saddle. Liam stared while Evelyn swung herself up behind the girl. He’d been so shocked, he’d not even helped.

“What is this?” Liam said with wide eyes as Evelyn took the reins and turned her horse.

“This is Gwendolyn, my daughter. Are we ready to go? We should try to put a few miles between us and my father before nightfall in case he notices I’m gone before I planned.”

Her words melted together as Liam stared.

A daughter. His new wife had a daughter.

…

Evelyn knew it was beyond cruel to have tricked Liam into marrying her without telling him she had a child. But once freedom was a possibility, she found herself unwilling to risk it. This was her only chance to be a mother to Gwennie.

When Evelyn realized she was increasing after her time with the men who’d attacked her, her father sent her away to birth the babe. At the time, Evelyn agreed with her father and didn’t want to see the child after it was born so she’d never have to look into eyes the same as the men who’d hurt her.

She feared the child would grow up to be like them.

But when her daughter was born, Evelyn looked at the screaming little girl and felt the hatred slip away. She knew she’d do whatever she had to do to make sure Gwendolyn was safe and loved.

Her father railed at her for naming the child after her late mother and continued to refer to his granddaughter as the McCurdy bastard. He’d forced Evelyn to give Gwennie to a maid in the village to be raised as her own so there wouldn’t be talk.