Page 75 of The Highlander's Fake Wife
Again, the lairds looked at each other. “He makes a fair point,” Duncan said.
“Aye,” Hector agreed. “I’d do the same in his position. I just…I cannae believe one of my oldest friends would…would have my sister killed. If I hadnae insisted that she married ye, if she had told me she was in love with Johnson, she’d be alive,” he said tiredly. “She’d have met Rosie.”
Duncan sighed. “I’m sorry for what happened. Alison loves Rosie as if she was her mother, Hector, but she’s also talking to her about yer sister. She will be remembered. And now that everything is cleared, we can finally move on.”
Hector nods. “Aye…But I still wish I could have been the one to kill him,” he says coldly. “Nae sure I can forgivethat,” he says, pointing at Arthur.
“Aye, I understand. But rest assured, I did justice to all of us.” Arthur said solemnly, his nerves finally settling at last. The lairds believed his side of things, and best of all, Olivia was safe. He leaned back in his seat, the previous weight lifting from his shoulders. At this point, Arthur was certain he could comfortably fall asleep in the chair after today’s insanity.
Hector looked outside of the window and muttered a ‘Thank ye’ that Arthur almost missed. His expression softened as he watched Hector shift uncomfortably in his chair. As far as he knew, Marcus had been allied with Hector long before any of the other lairds had agreed to peace. His words didn’t speak nearly as loudly as the brief flicker of hurt, of betrayal–of guilt,perhaps, for not realizing how awful a person his once-ally really was.
“Ye’re welcome,” Arthur said softly. “Marcus said that he needed to cause as much conflict as possible. Reunite the lands under the proper name, even if he had to cause chaos and betray his allies. But I think he did the opposite. Our alliance is stronger than ever.”
Hector let out a loud grunt, seeming far more uncomfortable than he was before. Suddenly, he pushed himself free from his chair before starting towards the door. “Eh, I’m done for tonight.”
“Aye; I think ye’re right, Hector.” Duncan stood from his chair next, crossing over to Arthur before patting him reassuringly on the shoulder. “I suppose you need some time discussing a wedding do-over with Olivia. I wouldnae dream of keeping two lovers apart,” he said with a wink.
For a moment, Arthur could only stare at his fellow laird, a nagging feeling building in the back of his head. Had Duncan known from the start about their ruse? It didn’t seem possible…surely, both he and Olivia had played their parts well enough? No one else seemed to have caught on; even his own mother was woefully ignorant to the truth of the matter. “Duncan, did ye ken about–?”
“Yer lucky, Arthur. With the end o’ wars in the highlands on the horizon?” Duncan shook his head, chuckling quietly as he, too,left for the door. “‘Tis the best time to start a family wit someone ye care about.”
As Arthur walked back to his room, a new resolve began to bloom in his chest. Arthur promised himself a conversation with Olivia. A terrifyingly honest conversation, one he felt was long overdue.
39
Olivia’s heart practically leapt into her throat at the sound of footsteps. She sprang up from the chair she was sitting. She wanted nothing more than to throw herself into Arthur’s embrace, but had enough restraint to simply offer a hopeful smile his way.
“Come wit me, selkie,” Arthur said as they approached the bedroom’s door.
Once more, Olivia’s heart went wild. She quickly obliged. The moment the door closed behind them, she dove into Arthur’s arms, grabbing his waist for a tight embrace as he, too, quickly reciprocated. “Tell me what happened! What did they ask ye? Do they believe ye’re innocent, Arthur? When do they think?—”
“Easy, selkie!” Arthur chuckled lightly, pulling away just enough so the pair could speak face-to-face. “Yer forgettin’ to breathe.”
Olivia inhaled deeply, feeling a touch dizzy at the sudden rush of oxygen. As she exhaled, her questions began to stream out once more, only to be interrupted by Arthur’s gentle finger against her lips.
“Hector an’ Duncan believe me,” Arthur explained. “They just need to do things properly.”
Olivia somehow exhaled further, legs wobbling as relief flooded her body. Arthur easily caught her, scooping her up into his arms once more as their pair shared a brief moment of elation together. But, her euphoria soon diminished, and she gently placed her hands against Arthur’s arms. Concern knitted his brow as he set her down, immediately pulling a chair across for her to sit in.
“What is it, selkie?” Arthur asked.
Olivia began to fidget with the hem of her nightgown’s sleeves. “It’s just…it’s over, now.”
“What is?” Arthur chuckled nervously, visibly bemused. “Yer speakin’ in riddles, Olivia.”
He'd used her name. He really was worried. “Me clan was being puppeteered, and ye discovered the hand in charge. Those still loyal to me–I have to return to them, Arthur.”
Arthur’s smile fell as he shook his head slowly.
“Arthur.”
“Why do ye need to leave? Yer clan isnae–they havenae proved they deserve ye back.” Arthur’s voice darkened, a hateful glint casting across his eye. Like the very sea itself couldn’t accept what Olivia had just said. “There could still be disloyal folk after yer life–stay by me side, Olivia. We can run our clans together, as–”
“If today has taught me anything, it’s that a laird cannae appear weak.” Olivia turned her gaze away from Arthur, unable to look at the anger–the hurt–in his eye any longer. “I…I cannae simply rely on ye, Arthur.” She bit back a sudden gasp as her chair spun around, forcing her to speak to Arthur face-to-face.
“I dinnae believe you, selkie,” Arthur stated curtly. “Ye have another reason fer saying these things.”
Olivia tried to shake her head, but found herself unable to.
