Page 88 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

“I didn’t mean disrespect. I am beyond proud that your sire allowed me to use the name as my own.”

“He didn’t allow you to use it!” Lachlan shouted and gave Liam a harsh shove that nearly knocked him off his feet. “My father gave you the name MacKinlay because he found you honorable enough to have earned the right. I know you would give your life for any one of us here, yet you refuse us the honor of our protection for you and your family.”

Tears leaked from Liam’s eyes and his throat was almost too tight to speak, but he managed. “Forgive me, brothers.”

Their hands came down hard upon his shoulders as they leaned close. “Whose blood ran from your wounds and consecrated the MacKinlay lands?”

“Mine,” Liam answered fiercely. “Liam MacKinlay.” He had no long list of names from his parents, just the two simple ones Roderick and Davinna MacKinlay bestowed on him as a child. The two names he was honored to have.

The laird nodded and offered Liam a smile. “If you dare say to me you’re not a MacKinlay again, I’ll make sure your lip is too swelled to say anything else. Do you understand?”

“Aye. I understand.” Liam wiped the moisture from his cheeks and took a deep breath. He’d been overwhelmed by their generosity, but he should have known better.

He’d be upset as well if Gwennie or Shea ever said they weren’t part of his family. Blood wasn’t as important as love and honor.

“Thank you for standing with me to save my family,” Liam said, humbled.

They thumped him on the back a few times, and the dramatic moment was over as they moved on to planning. A messenger was dispatched immediately to Baehaven to have Bryce’s warriors sent.

Liam still didn’t feel it his right to ask them to fight, but he realized now he didn’t have to ask. These men didn’t think twice about helping him as one of their own. It was time he accepted the honor they offered.

They split off to gather men and supplies. Liam took a moment to find Evelyn and tell her the news of what was happening. He expected her to be surprised and then to worry over what was to be done. He was the one surprised when she let out a soft curse and paced to the window.

“You knew your father planned to marry you to the Morgans?” His voice was flat. He’d read the man’s early letter that spoke of duty, but Liam had not known she was pledged.

“Aye.”

“And you said nothing?” He tried to keep the irritation from his voice but failed.

“I said nothing when I approached you in the stable because I feared you’d leave me behind if you knew. After we were married, I said nothing because it no longer mattered. I wasn’t available to wed the laird’s heir.”

“I thought he was merely angry you’d disobeyed him when he sent for you. You’ve underestimated how badly your father wants this alliance. He’s demanding an annulment so you’re free to wed the Morgan as planned.”

“Is there no other way out of this than battle?” she asked.

“Aye, there is. But it would take more cattle than we currently own. It’s not a viable course of action.” Liam and the others had already looked over every possibility. “You should have told me the truth. We would have had more time to leave. To travel to London or somewhere even farther away so your father couldn’t reach you.”

There was little time now. They wouldn’t be able to get far enough fast enough with three little children slowing them down. The Stewart warriors wouldn’t stop until they were found.

She nodded and paced a bit more. “I know. I wanted to. I planned to. But…I couldn’t risk that you’d send Gwennie away.” Eventually, she came to stand in front of him. “You’ll care for Rose, Gwennie, and Shea as your own?”

He frowned, unsure why she would doubt him now. “They are my children. You know I will always see them safe and happy while there’s breath in my body.” Even if it meant providing for them while they lived in London if they managed to get there.

Another nod. “Then I’ll go. Please let my father and the Morgans know I’ll go peaceably, that you’ll sign the annulment.”

“Have you lost your mind, woman? I’ll not give you up. You’re my wife. You’re the mother of my children and could be carrying another one right now. Handing you over to them was never one of the choices. It was either our family runs or our family stays and fights, but we’re a family, Evelyn MacKinlay.”

“When I married you, it was so that my daughter would have a loving home. I’ve done that. She’s safe here with you. I’ll not allow blood to be spilled for me. I’m but one person. Please tell them my wishes.”

“You can’t mean to do this.” He shook his head.

“I do. Now that Gwennie is safe and loved, I can see to my duty. I knew it might come to this one day.”

Liam stepped away as her words singed his heart. “I didn’t know your duty was so important to you.”

“I’m the daughter of a laird, to be used for alliances and traded for wealth.”

“You would choose to be a laird’s daughter over being the mother of my children and my wife?”