Page 61 of The Highland Heir

“It doesn’t change anything. I’m still onthis course when I’d much rather be with—” He cut himself off,unable to say her name.

But Teague allowed no escape. “Ella?”

“Aye. I know you don’t wish to hear this, butI love her. I imagine I have always loved her, which could be why Ihadn’t noticed until now. It wasn’t something I went from not doingto doing. It grew so slowly—just one day it was there.”

“I’m sorry you are hurting, and for what it’sworth, I do like hearing that you love her. Especially knowing whathappened between you. I know you’ve never been a man to takeadvantage of a lass, but I had not been pleased tolearn . . . Well, anyway, hearing your feelings onthe matter and to know you are hurting as much as she is, it healsthe part of me that wanted to run you through with a rustydirk.”

Kieran’s eyes went wide until Teague brokeinto laughter. Then Kieran laughed with him.

When they quieted, Teague said, “You werewrong.”

Ah. Here would come the lecture. The chiefwould want Kieran to apologize.

“I’ll not apologize to him.”

“Nay. What I mean is, it did changesomething. Between you and your da. He heard your words. You’veforced him to think about things he’d refused to considerbefore.”

“But we will still continue on for theCampbells come morning.”

“Aye. I didn’t say it changed your fate, justthat he heard ye.”

Kieran didn’t know why that mattered. Anddidn’t care enough to ask.

He wouldn’t have Ella.

*

Ella arrived at Kildary two days later. Sheimagined Kieran, her father, and the rest of the warriors had metup with the MacKenzies and were even now moving toward the Campbelllands.

Jenny opened the door of her cottage with awide smile and a hug. She was looking even better than when they’dlast left her.

“You seem fully recovered from your illness.Your color is better,” Ella noted.

“Aye. It was nothing, but I will feignsickness in the future if it means I get more visits from ye. Come,I’ve just made your favorite berry tarts.”

Seeing how happy her aunt was to see herlessened the burden on her heart. Ella didn’t feel so much as ifshe might burst into tears at any moment.

“I’m glad you are happy to see me, for Idon’t plan to leave again.”

Jenny turned quickly, making her skirtsswish.

“You’re staying here with me?”

“Well, I am rather hoping the Ross war chiefmight ask for my hand, and if so, I would be living with him, butaye, I plan to stay at Kildary regardless.”

Jenny pressed her lips together and came topull her into another hug. This one was less celebration and moresympathy. Ella couldn’t stand it.

Pulling away quickly, she affixed a propersmile on her face and nodded.

“It will be wonderful. Don’t you always saythe worst things are better when you face them with a smile?”

“And marrying Arran would be the worstthing?” Jenny asked with a slight wince.

“Nay, of course not. I would be lucky if hewere to ask for my hand.” She tried to feel lucky. Tried to pretendthis was the life she wanted rather than the life that would keepher from melting away into a shell of herself.

“I don’t think there is much question abouthis feelings. The two times I’ve seen him since you left, he’sasked after you. I believe the boy is smitten.”

Ella hoped she would be smitten. It wasn’tfair to go into this marriage comparing Arran to the person she hadknown and loved all her life. Not when she had only spent such ashort amount of time with him.