Page 54 of The Runaway Bride and the Highlander
“It will be better with me gone. That’s all that matters. Nae harm will come tae anyone else if I leave now.”
A sadness crossed the old man’s face then, and he nodded in understanding. “A sacrifice,” he said plainly. “Yer life for his.”
Skylar knew who Kendrick referred to without him having to name him.
“It’s for the best, Kendrick.”
He smiled sadly and nodded. “Who am I tae know anything, my dear Skylar? Ye have experienced far more life than I—a life I wouldnae wish upon anyone, I might add. Ye are wiser and stronger than us all.”
“Kendrick—”
He lifted a hand to quieten her. “Hush now, my child. Ye ken what ye must do, and I willnae stand in yer way. I am the keeper o’ secrets, remember?” he said with a smile, bringing his fingers to his lips.
Skylar was going to miss the old man. They had made a strange but strong connection even before she had poured out her life to him. It was a connection that could not be explained to any other. But she knew it was there, and she was certain that he did too.
Stepping forward, she suddenly threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. “I will miss ye, Kendrick.”
He returned her hug and gripped her close. “And I you, my dear.”
No more words were necessary after that, for all that needed to be conveyed swirled from one soul to another in a form that the naked eye could not see.
When she stepped back again, Skylar turned toward the door. As she was about to pass through it, she looked back over her shoulder. “I do love him, Kendrick.”
“Of course ye do, my child.” The old man smiled sadly. “Ye wouldnae be leaving if ye didnae.”
Kendrick understood. Skylar nodded then, and turning toward the door, she opened it and walked out into the night.
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
Maxwell stretched his arms above his head and squeezed his eyes tight, trying to pull himself from his sleepy state. It had been a good night’s rest, but he was hardly surprised after the passionate and exhilarating lovemaking the night before. At the thought of Skylar, the woman he loved and would always love, he smiled and turned his head to gaze upon her.
With blurry eyes, he blinked several times, for in the dim light of the room, he could not see her form very well at all. He reached out his hand to touch her body but quickly realized she was not there. He had no idea what time it was, but evidently, she had risen before him. Pushing himself to a sitting position, Maxwell swung his legs out from under the furs, while at the same time pushing them back and out of his way.
Perhaps she had gone to the kitchen and was on her way back that very moment with some meat and bread. He smiled as memories of last night came back to him—her beautiful breasts sitting plumply in his palms, her sweet soft scent reaching his nostrils as he had tasted her body, the euphoric feeling of ecstasy as he had once more made passionate love to her. Perhaps they could share a morning reliving the night before. The thought made his cock stiffen.
It was as he reached the bedside and was about to lower himself back down into it that something on Skylar’s pillow caught his eye. At first, he did not understand why a note might be sitting there, but then he grinned.
She’s playing games with me, nae doubt.
Still smiling, he kneeled onto the bed and grabbed the note, flicking it open to see what mischief she might be up to. His eyes moved down the page, but as he read the words, his grin quickly fell from his face. Maxwell found his knees were suddenly unable to support him any longer, and as they gave way beneath him, he dropped heavily onto the bed.
At first, his disbelief would not allow him to comprehend the words, and it took him several moments to read and re-read them before they finally began to sink in. It was then that an overwhelming feeling of devastation washed over him, while at the same time, his stomach churned, and his heart nearly burst with despair.
Maxwell,
Firstly, I understand my following words will confuse ye, especially after the night we shared. But whereas ye lay sleeping soundly all night, I didnae. After much tossing and turning, I eventually came tae a decision that is best for me.
It finally occurred tae me as I lay thinking about everything ye had said that, the whole time, ye only talked about how ye felt and yer feelings. While ye did apologize for pushing me away, I simply cannae trust that ye are telling the truth and that ye willnae do it again. I believe ye are a selfish man, and that whatever happens in our future, ye will always put yerself first.
That is hardly a future I wish tae be a part of, nor will I stand by while ye make a fool of me. Instead of trusting me, ye locked me out and took another woman intae yer bed. In my mind, that makes ye nae only a liar but an unfaithful man. When will be the next time ye cannae cope with yer feelings? Will ye take another woman intae yer bed then too?
My mind swirls with yer deceit, and I came tae realize that I dinnae really love ye at all. How can a woman love a man who chooses a maid over her? Maybe I never did love ye. Perhaps it was lust, or perhaps my feeling was simply desperation and, in some way, reparation for ye saving me.
So, I have made it easier for ye. I have gone. Ye’re free tae sleep with yer maid at any point now without feeling guilt or having tae lie tae me any longer.
Dinnae try and find me. Ye told me last night that ye would do anything for me. So, I ask ye this. Leave me alone. That is what ye can do for me. Let me live my life without ye in it, for I dinnae think I could look upon yer face with any affection ever again.
Skylar.
