Page 102 of The Highlander's Virgin Widow
“Keira, ye cannae go. Ye cannae leave me and everything else here,” Lesley protested, her voice rising.
“Look,” Keira said, “I dinnae ken exactly how the rumor spread that I had something to do with Evander’s brush with death. But I cannae take any more false blame. And I cannae see Evander’sfriends and people look at him with disdain because of me. Because that will inevitably happen when he defends me.”
Lesley moved closer to her and reached for her hands, utter despair etched on every line of her face. “Please, Keira. I am certain we can find another way.”
“Ye ken what the funny thing is?” Keira continued, disregarding the fact that Lesley had clamped her hands around her wrists. “Hudson did suggest that I leave.”
Lesley’s face dropped. “What?”
“On me wedding day. He told me to run away while I still can.”
Lesley curled her lip as disgust contorted her features. “He said that?”
“Aye. I should have listened to him back then. None of this would’ve happened.”
Lesley said nothing. She released Keira from her grip instead and turned away, tears filling her eyes. “This is me fault.” She sniffled. “This is all me fault.”
“Yerfault?” Keira echoed. “I should be thanking ye for bringing Evander back to life, Lesley. Now that I am certain he will live, I can find a proper way to leave this castle.”
“Leave this castle for what?” a familiar deep voice called behind her.
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Keira turned around and came face to face with Evander, whose arms hung by his sides.
“Ye should be resting,” she chided.
“I should be, should I nae?” he drawled. “So what is this I hear about ye leaving the castle?”
“Evander—”
“I am certain I didnae hear wrong,” he continued.
A heavy sigh escaped Keira’s lips.
Evander turned to Lesley, who had been rooted to the spot, her eyes wide. “Excuse us.”
She nodded and scurried out of the room, the door clicking shut behind her and her hurried footsteps fading into the background.
“So why do ye want to leave the castle? Leave yer people?” Evander asked. His voice dropped as the next words left his lips. “Leaveme?”
“I am sorry. I see nay other way.”
“But I see another way. One that involves ye staying in the castle as its Lady. Like the good Lord intended.”
Keira laughed. In another world, they would’ve been the perfect couple. Both of them standing side by side, ready to do anything for each other. They would be utterly unstoppable.
“Ye were unconscious for four days, Evander. I was in the dungeons for those four days. Being in there gave me time to think. Gave me a clear head. This is the best thing for me. For both of us.”
A long pause ensued, and at that moment, Keira could see it—a cold rage ever so slowly contorting his face.
“Ye were in there for four days?” he asked, his voice wavering.
“It doesnae matter anymore. Do ye nae see?” she asked.
He didn’t respond. So she moved closer to him, cupped his face in her hands, and planted a soft kiss on his cheek.
“I wish ye the best, Evander,” she murmured, still cradling his face. “Ye truly deserve it.”
