Page 69 of Healing the Highland Sinner
“’Tis time, lad,” he said.
Ellair didn’t think that was what the man had intended to say at first, but his loyalty to Rosalind stayed his tongue. Despite all that had happened and the revelation of his deception and betrayal, Ciar had not treated him unkindly. If anything, he seemed to be taking pity on Ellair. He would almost rather the man hate and despise him for what he’d done. Pity was the last thing he wanted from anybody. Ever.
“Aye,” Ellair said with a nod.
Ciar turned to leave the room but paused and turned back to him. “Rosey, she’s… she’s tough. Strong. But that daesnae mean she cannae be hurt. And when she’s hurt, she tends tae hurt badly. She just tends tae mask that hurt behind a lot of anger and bluster.”
“I understand.”
“Dae ye?”
“I think?”
“I’m nae a man of many words—never been good at ‘em—but in me experience, the deepest hurts are caused by those we love,” Ciar said. “’Tis only those we care about who can get under our skin so deep they cause real pain. Dae ye ken what I mean, lad?”
“Aye. I think I dae,” Ellair replied.
Truthfully, Ellair had no idea what the big man was getting at. He’d hurt Rosalind deeply. He got that. But that was pretty much all he was taking away from Ciar’s words. It was all he could hear through the noise of his own pain.
“She is worried about what the Highlanders are goin’ tae say. She’s worried they may nae see her with an open mind,” Ciar said.
“They will. I’ll make sure of it.”
“How are ye goin’ tae dae that?”
“Because I ken these men. They’re good men,” Ellair said. “And they want what’s best for their people. They’re nae seekin’ power. They’re tryin’ tae dae the right thing fer their people. And I’ll make ‘em see that’s what Rosalind is tryin’ tae dae as well.”
The big man nodded. “And dae ye think ye can make these men see Rosalind fer who she really is and nae fer who they think she is?”
“I’m goin’ tae give it me best shot.”
Ciar sighed, his face clouded over with emotion. “Ye ken, I’ve seen the way ye look after her. I ken what ye’re feelin’ fer her in yer heart?—”
“It matters nae what I feel,” Ellair said. “Nae anymore.”
“Maybe nae. But I also ken Rosalind feels the same fer ye. ‘Tis why she’s so hurt, lad.”
“I ken that already. And now, anythin’ that might have been is… gone.”
“Maybe. But maybe nae. Love has a way of mendin’ things.”
“Sometimes, it’s nae enough.”
“’Tis true,” he replied. “All I can tell ye is that there may come a time when ye need tae make a choice. When ye need tae decide between yer duty and yer heart. Choose wrong, and ye may be right. Choose well and… who kens?”
“Ciar—”
“I like ye, Ellair. I respect ye,” he said. “But ye ken me loyalty will always be tae Rosalind. And I’m always goin’ tae dae what I think is best fer her. Tae want what’s always best for her.”
“What are ye sayin’?”
“I’m sayin’ that maybe what ye two have between ye… maybe ‘tis what is best fer her. Even if she cannae see it right now.”
Ellair looked down at his hands, Ciar’s words echoing through his head.
“Come lad,” Ciar said gently. “We must go.”
Ellair led Ciar and Rosalind to an abandoned manor house tucked away in a thick forest well to the east of Thurso. They were both tense and looked ready to fight or flee. Ellair couldn’t blame them. After all, they were riding into a meeting with a man who’d been looking to take the Widow’s head for some time now. Of course, there would be some nerves.
