Page 61 of The Highlander's Temporary Bride
Emma’s fingers tightened around the edges of the paper, her tears already blurring the words. She’d expected a bitter recrimination, a short note telling her to never contact Helena again. But now, she laughed through her tears.
How could she have doubted Helena? Of course, no matter what, Helena would staunchly stand by her.
First, tell me more about how you are doing, you fiend! Indeed, I was about to set off for Banrose when I realized you did notmention a word about your current state. While I do appreciate the updates about your mad dash, I have already heard about it—save for your journey to Banrose.
Perhaps we shouldn’t have tempered our steel against the Queen’s will. Her Majesty could shatter diamonds with a singular glance if she so chooses.
I cannot believe how close you were to the cottage. I confess I had feared you were captured days before. Word got out that you married Laird MacLarsen. It made no sense—not until it was revealed that the bride was your twin!
When I heard that, I thought perhaps your aunt and father had conspired to spirit you away. I did venture out in the hope of catching wind of any new developments, and well… I had an adventure of my own.
Which brings me to scolding you, my dear friend. How could you ever think a mere man could come between the two of us? We have known each other since we were girls! And I am not surprised that the Laird who found you, this Ronson, couldn’t resist. You are the loveliest woman in all of England.
If that doesn’t put your mind at ease—which I suspect it won’t—this will.
I stole a kiss, too.
Emma squealed and stood up, twirling around the room with the letter. She had a sudden, fierce wish that Helena was only a carriage ride away so that they could gossip about their first kisses. Tears were streaming down her face, but she was smiling, her heart lighter than it had been since learning Helena was promised to Grant.
She set down the letter, noting that there were at least two more pages to read, but instead, she drifted to the window. Even as she pressed her fingers to her lips, her smile fell, and a shiver ran through her.
Somehow, she could sense that Grant had left Banrose. Looking over her shoulder, hugging herself, she felt her breath hitch in her chest.
Then, she was running across the room, only to stop at the door and slam her fist on it. Grant had just been returned to her. He was still recovering from the poison. Should he not be resting and healing, rather than seeking vengeance? Why could no one stop him?
Had he been saved only to be lost again?
CHAPTER 25
Just beyond thevillage stood a row of ramshackle huts that had fallen into disrepair. All long since abandoned, the occupants driven out in the upheaval after the former Laird had attempted to kill Grant. There had been a riot in the village, a fire, and many had fled.
When Grant had returned as Laird, in addition to building the hospital, he’d ensured that every villager had a sturdy, well-insulated home. That had sometimes meant leaving huts such as these and moving into a new one. And even though Grant had wanted to destroy the empty ones, such things took time.
Now, he regretted not doing it.
As the sun seemed to dawdle, as though anticipating the sultry days of summer hence, the peaceful scene was incongruous with what lay ahead. Birds chirped in the underbrush and the trees as Grant and his men passed beneath them. The trembling maidat the rear was guarded by McWirthe and his nephew. Reuben, meanwhile, stuck close to Grant, twirling a blade in his hand.
Just down the road, the villagers were decorating the streets and their homes with garlands of flowers, hanging lanterns, and cooking mountains of food for the upcoming festival. Every so often, across the fields, Grant heard children’s laughter and strains of music.
Fury squeezed his heart, and he gripped his blade tighter.
How dare this bastard attempt to ruin the peace he’d bled and fought for? The peace thathis peoplehad bled and fought for? And how dare this bastard’s actions cause Emma even a moment of pain?
As they approached the hut where the Skulleye seller had last been seen by a village lass, a cold fear welled up inside Grant.
Eventually, they paused.
Someone was whistling, and Grant’s eyes went wide.
It was the same tune that the man who had attempted to kidnap Emma all those weeks ago, just outside Morgana’s tavern, had sung.
A man emerged from around the corner of the hut, swinging a headless chicken, and Grant stepped forward. Reuben grabbedhis arm, and Grant nearly threw him off, but he stopped when his brother gave him a warning look, and mouthed, “Make sure.”
Grant glanced back at the maid, who was pale to the lips and seemed about to faint.But she squared her shoulders when she met his eyes and nodded.
So, it is him.
Cold determination flared along with his rage. So, this was the man that Reuben had tried to track down. Indeed, as he glanced up at the sky, Grant could see the resemblance.
