Page 94 of Taken By the Heartless Highlander
Scott muttered in his sleep, and she felt a stab of guilt at the thought of uprooting her siblings again, all because of the choices she had made in her life.
Her thoughts moved to Fenella and the obvious attachment that existed between the maid and her brother.
Am I selfish to take them away from all this happiness? Should I stay simply so that they remain where they are safe and thriving?
Do something for yerself—that’s what Daisy had told her, and Keira knew that it was good advice.
She could not sacrifice her own happiness to extend theirs. She must find her own way in the world far from this beautiful place and the kindness that had been shown to her family.
But most of all, she had to get away from Noah and the life she so desperately craved. The life he was unable to give her.
Earlier that evening when he had stood at her side, watching the crowds gathering below them, she had finally put a name to the confusing feelings that she felt for him. She knew that she loved him, and it had been a shocking realization. She had fallen in love with a man who would never love her back.
Scott grumbled and rolled over in his sleep, sitting up abruptly in bed and crying out in pain as his hand came up to touch the bandage over his wound.
“It’s alright. Ye were dreaming,” Keira said, placing a cool towel over his forehead and pushing him back into the bed.
“What happened?” he asked. “Where were ye? I woke up and ye were gone.”
“I went to bid farewell to Laird MacAllen,” Keira replied, seeing no reason to delay telling him the truth. “I am sorry, Scott, but I think we will have to leave this place.”
Scott frowned at her. “But I thought ye were engaged?”
“Nay. It was spoken of perhaps, but he cannae give me what I want. He believes he is better off alone and I willnae be a part of a marriage that isnae loving and real.”
Scott’s brow knitted together as he took her hand. “Are ye sure, Kee? Ye seemed so happy.”
Keira wiped the tears from her eyes and sniffed, looking away from her brother and trying her best to stay strong in the face of such pain.
“I am sorry to make ye leave. But we cannae rely on others forever.”
Scott squeezed her hand. “I like it here, but I dinnae wish ye to stay simply because of us.”
“I ken,” she said softly. “I am lucky to have ye both.”
She kissed his cheek and went to pack her things.
It was time to be on her way.
* * *
As Cuddy the donkey walked ahead of them into the village, Keira felt a sense of foreboding and uncertainty dogging their steps as they walked down the familiar roads.
Lucas was gone, but she was aware that many of the villagers were angry at Noah’s actions and did not believe his death had been justified.
If she could have, she would have gone to a different village and found a new place for them to live until the boat departed, but in the end, they had all agreed it would be better to test the waters somewhere familiar.
If they were shunned again, they would leave, and this time, there was no crazed priest who would follow them.
As Cuddy walked the familiar path back to the cottage, his nose happily sniffing at the air, Keira saw a few villagers emerging from their homes, all of them watching them with grim faces.
She pulled the donkey to a stop and pushed Daisy and Scott behind her. What kind of reception would they receive?
The villagers were hesitant. None approached them, and for a long while, they all just looked at each other, no one speaking a word.
Then, from one of the doorways, Keira saw a face she knew well. It was Marcus Blackwood, the man who had started it all and who Lucas had accused her of raising from the dead all those weeks before.
“Good mornin’, Keira,” Marcus said, stepping forward as Scott stiffened beside her.
