Page 80 of Sinbound to the Highlander
“Naything more than what I’ve just been given,” Grace said. “On the morrow, sleet or snow, we are going to Ruthven.”
* * *
Before dawn, Freya was ready and waiting for Evan’s arrival. Her chest was a mess of knots, and she could only drink the cup of ginger-root tea Missus Helga gave her, but was too unsettled to eat anything.
When he arrived, she was on her feet instantly. His feet crunching the snow had a sudden yearning flaring up on her. As he came through the door, Freya found herself in his arms, where she wanted to be.
“Daenae worry, Love,” he murmured in her ear. “Everything will be well.”
“Truly?” she asked.
“Truly,” Evan kissed her cheek. “Miss Helga, thank ye from the bottom of me heart.”
“T’was me pleasure, Me Laird,” Missus Helga smiled.
Saying her final goodbyes to the older woman, Evan led Freya from the humble cottage and into the carriage. Evan’s hand did not leave hers as they took the journey back to his castle.
“I havenae told anyone but yer parents that I found ye,” Evan said, “Ye have been missing for over a sennight. Elspeth is still masquerading as ye, but this ends today, I promise ye.”
“How?” Freya asked.
“I’m going to expose her, publicly,” Evan replied, a bit harshly, “She needs to learn a lesson. If she cannae see the error of her ways after this, I dinnae ken if she can be saved. I ken, Love, I truly do, but after all, she’s done to ye, dinnae ye see it fitting for her to pay for her deeds?”
Freya nibbled her lip, “Evan…” she sighed, “just promise me ye’ll nay hurt her.”
“I willnae lay a hand on her,” Evan said, “I swear it to ye. But what her Faither will do to her, that I cannae control.”
Her head darted up. “Laird Aidan and Lady Grace are going to be there?”
“Aye,” Evan said, “I kent ‘tis nay kind or Christian, but she nearly killed ye, Love, and I dinnae take lightly to people who harm those I love. Tis nay an eye for an eye as I first felt—this is justice, duly served.”
