Page 65 of Wicked Kilted Highlander

Darragh hesitated, his chest tightening as he wrestled with the words that clawed at his throat. The darkness seemed to press upon him, whispering doubts and fears into his ear. But as he gazed at Elsie's determined expression, something within him shattered, and the floodgates opened.

"I love her," he confessed, the words tumbling out in a broken cascade. "I never thought I'd feel this way again—nae after what happened tae me family. But Lara… she's a balm tae me soul, Elsie. She makes everything bright and warm. If anything happens tae her…" He trailed off, unable to bear the weight of the thought.

Elsie squeezed his arm, her touch like a lifeline anchoring him to the present. "Darragh, I ken how much ye care fer her. Lara would never believe ye capable o’ such harm. We will find out what happened, and when she wakes, she'll ken the truth."

His eyes glistened, his vision blurring as he nodded. "Thank ye, Elsie," he whispered, his voice barely audible above the crackling of the fire.

Elsie's eyes, soft and understanding, met Darragh's as she leaned in closer. "Darragh," she said gently, her voice soothing, "I tell ye again that I believe ye. I dinnae think ye would ever harm Lara."

"That means a lot," he murmured, the words a whispered prayer of gratitude.

"And…" Elsie hesitated, her gaze flicking to the door as if expecting someone to appear. "I cannae shake the feeling Gregor might be involved. Something about him just disnae sit right with me since Lara came home." Her confession hung heavy in the air between them.

"Ye suspect yer own betrothed?" Darragh asked, brow furrowing in concern.

"Aye," she admitted with a sigh. "I wish it wasnae so, for I had truly fallen for his charms, but me gut tells me there's more tae this than we ken."

"Then we'll find out the truth," Darragh vowed, determination flaring within him. "Fer Lara, and fer all of us."

"Rest now, Darragh," she urged gently. "We'll need our strength in the days tae come."

He nodded, the weight of exhaustion finally catching up with him.