Page 71 of Wedded to the Heartless Highlander
Lily stood in the doorway, her small face a picture of concern, but with a hint of exasperation.
Both Erica and Hunter froze, the heat between them instantly dissipating.
Erica’s heart sank as she saw Lily standing there, watching them. She didn’t want the little girl to see them like this.
“Lily…” Hunter began, his voice softening. “It’s nothin’, lass. Just a little misunderstandin’.”
“Right,” Erica agreed, her voice barely above a whisper. But her frustration still simmered beneath the surface. “Nothin’ at all.”
Lily put her hands on her hips, her eyes narrowing with a maturity far beyond her years. “Ye both need to stop actin’ like children, but ye are supposed to be the grown-ups,” she declared, before stepping forward and tugging on Hunter’s sleeve. “Can we get back to the story now? I dinnae want to wait anymore.”
Hunter hesitated, his jaw tightening as his gaze flicked to Erica. “This isnae over,” he muttered under his breath, his voice lowenough so only she could hear. Then, he turned back to Lily and offered her a small smile. “Of course, lass.”
Lily took his hand and pulled him back toward the bed.
Erica watched them for a moment, her chest heavy with the weight of everything she had said. She had pushed him—too hard, too fast—and now it felt like the distance between them was wider than ever.
As Hunter sat down beside Lily, opening the book and beginning to read in his deep, soothing voice, Erica stood in the doorway, unable to bring herself to leave.
Her gaze lingered on her husband, on the way his rough hands handled the delicate pages, on the way his expression softened as he spoke to his niece. She couldn’t help but notice the contrast between the anger he’d shown moments ago and the tenderness he displayed now. It was maddening, how he could switch so effortlessly between the two.
Her thoughts wandered as she leaned against the doorframe, her fingers absently brushing the fabric of her dress. She caught Hunter glancing at her once, his eyes roaming over her before returning to the book. Her cheeks flushed, and she turned her gaze to the fire, hoping he hadn’t noticed.
What am I supposed to do?
She truly believed that taking Lily to McFair Keep was the right thing to do, but Hunter’s reaction had shaken her. He was so fiercely protective of his home, his niece, his pride—it was almost overwhelming. And yet, the idea of leaving him to face this danger alone felt wrong.
Erica sighed softly, crossing her arms as she continued watching them. Whatever was brewing between them, it wasn’t going to be solved until the book was read and Lily was satisfied that they were getting along once again.
The quiet of the early evening stretched over the castle grounds like a soothing balm. Hunter stood at the bottom of the stone staircase, his arms crossed, waiting for Erica to emerge.
He had been trying to decide how to go about this all day. Asking her to join him for a walk felt… unusual. It wasn’t something he did often, certainly not with someone who managed to get under his skin the way Erica did.
But after their argument that morning and everything that had transpired between them over the last few weeks, he knew he owed her—at least a moment of civility. Though conflicted, he considered what she had said during their argument.
Would she really go back to McFair Keep? And if she does, would she take Lily with her?
Hunter knew he would have to bring it up again. Nothing had been resolved between them. Although he anticipated that the argument that was in store would turn into a much bigger affair. It would dredge up the reasons why he hadn’t claimed her yet, even though he sent her that note. It would dredge up her safety, and Lily’s safety. It would dredge up the council and her family. And, knowing Erica, it would probably dredge up a hundred other things that he couldn’t even wrap his head around.
“A ball of madness, she is,” he groaned and rubbed his eyes in frustration.
When he dropped his hand, spots blurred his vision, but not enough to obscure her as she rounded the corner.
Erica’s skirts swished softly with each step, her hair catching the fading light. Her face lit up with a faint smile when she saw him waiting, but there was a hint of trepidation in her eyes that made his chest tighten.
She always looked at him like she was trying to figure him out, like she was about to challenge him in some way. And damn it all, it always worked.
“Good evenin’, husband,” she teased lightly, descending the final step. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Hunter rolled his eyes but couldn’t stop the smirk that tugged at his lips. “I thought ye might like some fresh air. Or are ye too tired after runnin’ circles around Lily all day?”
She chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Nae at all. Though Lily might have other ideas about who was runnin’ circles around whom.”
Hunter gestured toward the garden path that wound through the castle grounds. “Come on, then. I’ve had enough of the castle and councilmen for one day. I could use the company of someone… less insufferable.”
“That’s quite the compliment,” Erica quipped, falling into step beside him. “I’ll take it.”
The moon had risen high, its light spilling over the gardens in soft silver waves. The night was crisp but not cold, and the scent of earth and blooming flowers hung in the air.
