Page 78 of The Highlander's Temporary Bride
“Post this, would you?” Emma asked and handed her the letter.
The maid nodded and then made a face. “My Lady, there’s someone at the gates who’d like to speak with you. But I think I should call the constables to scare him off.” She shook her head. “Though, I’m not sure that an army could drive away the likes of such a warrior.”
Emma’s entire body seemed to throb, and she grabbed the maid by the shoulders, shaking her head. “No, do not call anyone. I will handle it. Post the letter and take the rest of the day off.”
The maid gaped at her. “My Lady? Are you sure?”
But Emma had already flung open the front doors and dashed down the stairs, and she paused on the bottom step.
Water bubbled from the fountain in the middle of the drive, while not a speck of crushed stone was out of place on the drive leading up to the door. Beyond, walls rose up, and the gates were open. A horse nosed in the grass that sloped down to the river, looking too big and too wild for a proper English manor.
But that was nothing compared to the Scottish laird leaning against the stone wall, his strong arms folded across his broad chest, and his unruly dark hair falling into burning green eyes.
For a moment, all Emma could do was stare at him, sure that she was dreaming.
Until he smiled that lazy, slow, familiar smile.
A smile that said,Ye kenned I would catch ye in the end.
CHAPTER 32
Emma ran.
Only this time, she ran towardhim.
He straightened, and something flashed in his eyes, making her heart pound faster. She wanted to throw herself into his arms, kiss his handsome face and never let go.
However, fear that she’d barely managed to bury welled up inside her, and she faltered.
Has something happened to Helena?
Emma halted a foot away from him. “Laird Ronson, why are you here?” She clutched a hand to her heart. “How are you here?”
“Balfire doesnae tire, and we rode night and day to get to ye, Emma,” Grant said in that husky voice that sent a bolt of heat upher spine. “And I am here for ye.” His smile widened. “Ye were wrong—our time together isnae over.”
She stumbled back. “What about Helena? Didn’t you get married?”
He gave a slow shake of his head. “I dinnae ken where Helena is.”
Emma started at that, and her mind flashed back to Helena’s letter, the confession that her friend had kissed someone else. Much as she craved more details, she had to know what Grant meant first.
“Our time together is over,” she blurted out. “And even if it isn’t?—”
“Two more nights.” Grant took a step forward, and stopped as she drew back. His eyes smoldered and danced as he gazed at her. “Or is it three?”
“I do not take your meaning?—”
“The time we lost when I was ill, lass,” Grant explained, and Emma’s entire body went hot. “When ye were locked away in the damned dungeon. I havenae made that up to ye.” He tilted his head to the side. “Nae enough, anyway.”
Emma noted that his hair and beard seemed much longer than when they’d parted, as though he had not bothered to groomhimself. That made her entire body tingle, even though she was not sure why.
Still, this was madness. Her family would be here within days, and he was still promised to Helena.
“I’m afraid you are mistaken, My Laird,” Emma said with a faint smile. “And?—”
“I am also here to make amends,” he added softly. “To apologize for putting ye in danger—and for nae heedin’ ye.” He rubbed a hand over his face, and her hands twitched, remembering what it was like to run her hands over his scruff. “I am so sorry, Emma. I fought like hell to make sure Banrose was a place of peace, and yet ye never got to see that. Nae truly.”
“Grant…”
