Page 73 of The Highland Heir

“Aye, but I don’t want to speak of it.Nothing comes of wishing for things.”

“Nothing comes from living for something youcan’t have. That is why I am going to live for the thing Ican have. And Arran is the thing—the person, rather—I canhave.”

“We are not so easily traded out for another,lass.”

“I know. That is why I am glad that Arran isa—”

“A good man,” Jenny interrupted, alreadyknowing what Ella was going to say.

“Aye. Sew faster, auntie. I wish to marrytoday.” Ella gave her aunt a squeeze.

*

Kieran stopped only to water his horse andtake a bite to eat. The closer he got to Kildary, the more he felthe was going to be too late.

He had known Ella his whole life, so he knewwell enough the way she jumped right into something as soon as hermind was made up.

How many times had she asked him why theyneeded to wait once they had decided to do something? Despite herreckless nature, she rarely had any regrets.

Kieran, on the other hand, was the opposite.He was too cautious. He waited too long to act, thinking throughany possible reason he should not proceed.

The two of them were perfectly suited in thisway. She pulling him into living, while he gave the pause needed toensure their plan was sound. Together they were balanced.

In this decision, to ride off and hopefullystop her from marrying another, Kieran suffered no delays ordoubts. He only prayed he would make it in time.

She would not have considered the possibilitythat he would come for her. That he would be free to marry her.Even if the Campbells had not agreed to give up Isla to be hisbride, another bride would have been selected for the heir of theSinclairs, and that bride never would have been her.

She couldn’t know how much had happened inthe last few days. That everything had changed and he was free tomarry her.

He couldn’t wait to see the shock on her facewhen he told her the tale. He doubted she would believe him when hetold her how his father had apologized and even hugged him. Or thatthe laird himself had seen Kieran off to go find Ella so they couldmarry.

It was pouring rain as Kieran crested thefinal hill that allowed his view of Balnagown Castle. The Ross keepsat on a rocky hill, its gray stone the same color of the steelysky above. The rain stung Kieran’s face as he nudged Ridire alittle faster.

Despite the glum appearance, Kieran’s heartlifted.

He was almost there.

“Please don’t let me be too late.”

*

Ella knocked on the heavy wooden door andgrew nervous as she heard footfalls approach.

Arran opened the door and blinked for amoment in what she guessed was confusion before he frowned andopened the door wider.

“Ella? What has happened? You’re soakedthrough. Come sit by the fire. We must warm you up.”

In truth, she was not cold, or at least shehad not noticed. But her teeth were near to chattering.

Arran sat her in a large chair before theflames and grabbed a fur from his bed to drape around her.

She had been right all along. Arran was agood man. He just wasn’t going to be the man for her.

As she’d continued in her pacing and talkingwith Aunt Jenny, she’d realized the answer to the question she hadrefused to ask herself.

Was this fair to Arran?

She had wanted to marry so she would not haveto suffer alone with the loss of Kieran. She had been content tomarry a good man despite not loving him. She had thought she couldbe happy enough with him.