Page 87 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

“You summoned me?” Liam bowed before the laird in his study. Cam was resting against the window. It had been two weeks since they’d returned from Baehaven with the children. His family had settled in, and he knew Cam’s had as well.

It was a surprise to see Lach and Cam looking so grim. Unease twisted in Liam’s stomach.

“Aye. You know I sent the Stewart a letter telling him his daughter and granddaughter resided with us, and I made it clear it was where they would stay.”

“Yes. Having you address it directly was the better approach. We’ve not seen any Stewarts this last month.”

Lach gave a short nod and let out a breath. “As you well know, it’s a father and laird’s right to marry his daughter off for an alliance, as it’s something bigger than just his child’s happiness, but the strength of the whole clan that may depend on it.”

“Aye,” Liam said, his brows pulled together in confusion.

“This was the reason Evelyn had been promised to the Morgan clan, because the Stewarts needed cattle, and a match was made between their clans.”

Liam’s eyes went wide.

“I can see from your reaction you didna know she was promised elsewhere.”

“Nay.” Liam frowned. “I can’t say honestly it would have mattered, but I would have prepared you at least. Found another place to live until we were certain we weren’t a danger to the clan.”

“I’m not sure if Evelyn was aware, either. But I doubt she would have said anything if there were a chance you’d not take her and Gwennie with you. It’s clear she wanted only to be with her daughter at the time you married her.”

His words stung Liam’s heart. He knew it was true at the time, but he hoped, now that they were closer, it was different between them. He felt like a true husband.

“Her father has demanded her returned to him with a signed annulment so she can be married off to the Morgan heir as planned next month. They’re coming and plan to take her either by force or by law.”

Liam looked between Lachlan and Cam. “They’re taking my wife?” He thought the man would bluster about but would give up. He’d known Evelyn still worried.

“Nay. I tell you only what he’s demanded.” Lachlan placed his hand on Liam’s shoulder. “I made a mistake once when I didn’t stand with Cam to protect his wife, and I’ll not make the same mistake again. Evelyn will stay with us and, when they come for her, we will protect her as one of our own.”

Liam shook his head and backed away. “I can’t allow it. It’s too great a risk. I’ll take Ev and the children, and we’ll flee. I can’t put the clan in danger for me.”

Lachlan and Cam exchanged a look and turned to him. “We’ll not let anyone take a member of our clan from our lands.”

“As you say, but she’s not a member of the clan because…I’m not. Not truly. I’m not MacKinlay. Not by blood.”

Lachlan’s head snapped back as if he’d been struck, and his gaze narrowed in anger on Liam. “Take off your shirt,” he demanded.

Liam didn’t understand. “Laird?”

“That’s right. I’m the laird you pledged fealty to when you could barely hold a sword. Now take off your shirt.”

Liam tugged it from his belt and reached behind his neck to pull the garment over his head. Balling the cloth up in one hand, he stood before them bare-chested. He spared a second for the old embarrassment, but it was gone when he remembered he was a man now. He’d filled out in the last years and was no longer a scrawny lad.

Cam crossed his arms and studied him. “How many scars would you say he has on his body?”

“Forty or so,” Lach answered as he stepped closer. He pointed at a larger one on Liam’s shoulder. “Tell me, Liam, did ye bleed from this?”

“Aye.” It had happened during a raid. Cam had been injured and Liam was so worried for his friend he hadn’t noticed he was wounded until later that night.

“And whose blood spilled from this wound if not MacKinlay?”

“I—you know I do not know, my laird.” Liam tried to swallow.

“All of these scars for a clan you do not wish to belong to?”

Liam shook his head. “It’s not that I don’t wish to belong. I’ve wished it as long as I can remember. But wishing does not make things so.” How well he had learned this.

“I know it well enough, for I wish you to know in your heart you are one of us. You are my brother. Your blood has spilled on my land in protection of my people. If that doesn’t make you a MacKinlay I canna say what would. Being born with the name is not enough.”